Anubias Aquatic Plant Care Guide

Anubias Aquarium Plant Care Guide:

Anubias is a very popular tank plant because it does not need high care, & looks beautiful in aquariums. It is one of the top aquatic plants recommended for beginners.

Anubias is available in multiple sizes & styles, & it offers a greenish appearance to your aquarium, & it grows on its own. Anubias are available in dwarf sizes too which means that those having small tanks can keep this plant too.

It is a green flowering aquatic plant which can be found alongside riverbanks in western Africa. The leaves of Anubias are thick, & look like leather. Propagation of Anubias is very easy. Cut the rhizome when it grows longer in size. Use this new stem to grow another plant, or sell it.

They are very hardy & one of the top choices for freshwater tanks. You can grow it fully or partially submerged in water. They can simply adapt to new settings, & can handle a variety of conditions inside a tank.

Anubias can reach up to 16 inches at a lesser pace as compared to many other aquatic plants.

Many species of Anubias are worth considering for growing in tanks. One of the most famous plants is Anubias Nana, which is a smaller version of Anubias that cultivates at a slower rate in aquariums.

Attach Anubias plant to rock or driftwood. If you are looking for a 3D background in tanks, then I suggest you to use Anubias because they can be attached simply to structures.

In this article I have covered the following topics:

• Anubias Origin
• Other Names of Anubias
• Anubias Nana Appearance
• Anubias Plant Water Parameters
• Advantages of Anubias Aquarium Plant in Fish Tank
• Anubias Aquarium Plant Tank Size
• Problems with Anubias Aquarium Plant
• 3 ways to propagate Anubias plant
• Purchasing Anubias Nana Aquatic Plant
• How to Plant Anubias Plant
• Propagation / Reproduction of Anubias Aquatic Plant
• Tips for Healthy Anubias Nana Aquatic Plant
• Anubias Nana Aquatic Plant Tank Mates
• How to attach Anubias to Driftwood or Rocks
• How to plant Anubias in Aquarium Substrate
• Care for Dwarf Anubias
• Compatibility of Anubias Nana
• Suitable Tankmates for Dwarf Anubias Aquarium
• Compatible Aquatic Plants
• Compatible Fish & Invertebrates
• Incompatible Tankmates for Anubias Nana

Anubias Origin:

Anubias are available throughout western Africa.

 

Other Names of Anubias:

Other names of Anubias are Dwarf Anubias, Anubias barteri or Anubias Nana.

 

Anubias Nana Appearance:

Dwarf Anubias is a short plant & it does not grow fast. Leaves of Anubias are light green shaded, elliptical & silky. Leaves of this plant are covered in cuticles which makes them stronger.

 

Anubias Plant Water Parameters:

They grow well in aquariums in low lighting & in water temperatures b/w 73 to 83 Degrees Fahrenheit.

They can grow in water with a wide range of pH, but if your water pH is 7 then it grows well. If the roots of the plant are wet, then you can grow it easily without any problem.

 

Advantages of Anubias Aquarium Plant in Fish Tank:

• It is a beautiful plant for those who want to start a planted tank. It needs very low care, so newcomers & busy aquarists can simply add this plant to their aquarium.
• You can hide ugly parts of your tank easily with Anubias, because it can be planted differently in aquariums.
• Based on the type of Anubias plants you are adding to your aquarium, they have multiple advantages. It can oxygenate water just like every other plant which helps in enhancing the health of water & the fish.
• Many species of this plant are best for decoration. Fish can use this plant to hide from bullies. It provides a great place for shelter.
• Live plants have the capability to encourage spawning. Live plants can provide a natural look to your aquarium & it can help imitate the natural environment of the wild. They encourage fish in reproducing. Fish lay eggs on leaves or hide them in the roots.
• Live plants can provide natural filtration. They can absorb & wipe out fish waste, leftover food, decaying stuff, & sometimes heavy metals too.
• Good bacteria can grow on the large surface of a live plant. It can add to the efficiency of the filter by offering more good bacteria.
• Anubias offers a beautiful aeration to the aquarium. It can absorb CO2 & release oxygen. In the availability of light, nutrition & carbon dioxide, fish can absorb carbon dioxide & release oxygen. Oxygen can help fish breath easily & can offer a healthy life to the inhabitants.
• Anubias does not allow algae to grow in fish tanks. Without algae repellent plants, you will have to fight algae regularly. Live plants can help balance the ecosystem of the tank which stops algae from growing fast.
• Fish feed on live plants. Shrimp & algae eating snails use plant leaves for hiding.
• Anubias is a tough species, & it is able to survive in a little salt. This is the reason why this plant is a top option for low-end brackish tank setups for inhabitants that prefer living in brackish water.
• It helps in circulating the oxygenation process
• Fish use the broad leaves of this plant for laying eggs
• This plant is used by fish for hiding & some of the species can rest behind the bushes of Anubias Nana
• Anubias Nana enhances the chemical filtration in aquarium
• It can help in improving the security of the substance in fish tank
• It can protect fishes in the aquarium from active species
• It makes shaded regions in the aquarium to help certain fish that like darkness
• It can beautify the aquarium by providing green environment

 

Anubias Aquarium Plant Tank Size:

Anubias can be kept in small or big tanks. Dwarf Anubias can be kept in small aquariums. The minimum aquarium size for Dwarf Anubias is 10-gallons.

The main aspect to note is that most species of this plant need planting in a min. depth of 1 foot of water. Tanks usually have more depth than this.

 

Problems with Anubias Aquarium Plant:

Anubias does not have many issues because it is hardy & needs easy care. But still live plants have a few problems. Have a look at common issues with Anubias plant:

 

Anubias turning yellow or heaps of algae growing on it:

Anubias must be kept in low lights. If you find that your plant turns yellow or heaps of algae is growing on it, then we suggest you move the plant into the shades of other live plants or decorations, or lower light intensity.

 

Anubias fully dying off in aquarium water:

If the full Anubias plant looks dying off in the first few days or weeks after purchasing, then the reason may be that your plant was grown above the surface of water. Don’t worry because your plant should adapt to its new conditions on its own. Your Anubias should start developing fresh leaves. Notice your plant because this should occur after a couple of weeks.

 

Anubias aquatic plant not growing in aquarium:

If you see that Anubias is not growing in an aquarium, then have a look at the number of plants you have planted. This plant needs some room to spread & grow well.

 

Black spots appearing on Anubias aquatic plant:

Black Spots may appear on Anubias. If you watch these little black spots don’t worry. They do not mean that Anubias is in danger. They are in fact Black Beard Algae.

It can be simply removed from the plant using a few easy procedures.

• Use hydrogen peroxide to treat Black Beard Algae
• Add BBA algae eater fish
• Control phosphate in tank water
• Add more carbon dioxide in tank water
• Seachem Flourish is used to treat BBA
• Use heat treatment for removal of BBA

 

3 ways to propagate Anubias plant:

It is very easy to replant Anubias from the main plant. You can do this using 3 simple ways:

 

Rhizome Division:

The simplest way to propagate this plant is using rhizome division. Just cut the rhizome of Anubias. You can attach the new plant to rocks or structures.

 

Seeds:

Wait for the flower & use its seeds to reproduce Anubias.

 

How Anubias reproduce on its own:

Anubias multiple itself naturally. They have small plantlets which help grow more plants.

 

Purchasing Anubias Nana Aquatic Plant:

You can buy Anubias plants from the market in 2 diverse ways. You can get this plant as potted in a small plastic pot. Also, this plant is attached to rocks, driftwoods etc. Healthy Anubias Nana has lush green leaves, has a thick stem & its roots are healthy. Do not purchase Anubias with cracked or broken leaves, or leaves with holes. Make sure you do not buy Anubias with algae growing on the plant.

 

How to Plant Anubias Plant:

Anubias is able to cultivate in tank substrate, attached to structures, rocks or driftwood, or decorations. Do not fully bury the rhizome of Anubias in substrate.

 

Propagation / Reproduction of Anubias Aquatic Plant:

When your plant grows longer in the aquarium then cut it into 2 or more fresh plants. This process is called Anubias reproduction & it is not hard to achieve.

Take out Anubias plant from water. Cut the stem using a blade into 2 or more parts. It is very important to leave 3 or 4 leaves on every section of the stem. Avoid hurting the roots of the plant. Replant the fresh plant back in the aquarium & make sure you do not bury the rhizome.

 

Tips for Healthy Anubias Nana Aquatic Plant:

Anubias Nana grows slowly in aquariums & its leaves will not move in the water that much, which allows algae to appear on them. Make sure you keep Anubias plant in a region that has a shade of another plant on it to avoid tank lights from hitting the leaves so algae will not grow on it. Another tip is to place this plant in regions where water current is moving using a filter.

It is very easy to keep Anubias in aquariums without using gravel. Anubias can absorb nutrition using its leaves, & this plant does better when you expose rhizome & roots instead of burying them in aquarium substrate.

It is very easy to hold Anubias in aquariums by tying this plant to driftwood or rock. Roots of the plant are strong & they attach themselves to the surface of driftwood, rock, structure or decoration under a few weeks.

Anubias plants can live in water without adding additional supplements like carbon dioxide & fertilizers.

Do not use bright lights in fish tanks, which can produce yellowing in the plant or grow algae abruptly. Also use floating plants to avoid light from reaching Anubias. It is one of the best aquatic plants for beginners.

It is easy to take care of Anubias because you need to collect dead leaves & prune the plant when required. Anubias grow slowly in tank water.

 

Anubias Nana Aquatic Plant Tank Mates:

Dwarf Anubias is able to live with many tank mates. You can keep almost any fish & invertebrates in aquariums. The broad leaves of the plant provide a hiding spot for shy fish, & snails & shrimp can eat algae growing on the plant. The hardness of its leaves can stop certain fish from eating the plant.

 

How to attach Anubias to Driftwood or Rocks:

Dwarf Anubias plant can be used for aquascaping by connecting it to driftwood or rocks. It is easy to attach anubias to Driftwood.

• Clean freshly purchased driftwood with tap water in sink
• Then boil driftwood to remove more impurities & tannins
• Clean surface of anubias & driftwood with soft cloth
• Apply aquarium safe glue gently on Anubias rhizome & press this plant against driftwood
• Allow the glue to dry before placing driftwood in aquarium

 

How to plant Anubias in Aquarium Substrate:

Keep in mind the following tips when planting Dwarf Anubias in substrate:

• Use iron rich substrate
• Trim the stem of the plant & bury it in the substrate
• Anubias will cultivate from the little stems, & after a few days it will start growing fresh leaves.
• Do not bury the rhizome fully in the substrate as it may completely rot. Just bury the roots partially in the substrate.

 

Care for Dwarf Anubias:

Dwarf Anubias need a simple care level. Make sure you keep the following things in mind when caring for the plant.

• When Anubias grow longer in size, cut it.
• Remove plant leaves when they turn yellow or brown.
• Keep this plant in clean water.
• If pollutant level in water increases then it could stop light from reaching the aquarium bottom which is required for photosynthesis of the plant. So, make sure you regularly change the aquarium water.
• Add extra carbon dioxide & liquid fertilizers because it can improve the health of plants.

 

Compatibility of Anubias Nana:

Dwarf Anubias can be kept with other small aquatic plants, but do not overcrowd plants because if the resources required for plants run out, then they could suffer.

 

Suitable Tankmates for Dwarf Anubias Aquarium:

You can introduce aquarium plants & fish in Dwarf Anubias tank.

 

Compatible Aquatic Plants:

Keep the following plants in Anubias Nana tank:

• Water Sprite
• Hornwort
• Aquatic Species
• And More

 

Compatible Fish & Invertebrates:

Many Fish & invertebrates can be kept in Dwarf Anubias aquarium. Compatible fish that can be kept in Anubias Nana tank are:

• Zebra Loach
• Cory Catfish
• Tetras
• Danios
• Platies & other Livebearer Fish
• Betta Fish
• Dwarf Gourami
• And More

 

Incompatible Tankmates for Anubias Nana:

Certain fish can nip the leaves of plants so avoid adding them in Anubias Nana tank. Following fish are not recommended in Dwarf Anubias tank:

• Cherry Barb
• Cichlid
• Goldfish

 

Summary:

 

Category	Rating
Scientific Name	Anubias barteri
Genus	Anubias
Other Names	Dwarf Anubias, Nana
Tank Lights	Low to Medium
Growth Rate	Slow
Temperature Range	72 to 82 Degrees Fahrenheit
pH Range	6.0 to 7.5
Water Hardness Range	3 to 10 dGH
Care Level	Simple
Min. Aquarium Size	10 Gallons
Family Name	Araceae
Difficulty	Simple
Substrate	Not required
Growth Rate	Slow
Placement in Tank	Mostly in foreground / midground. Sometimes in background
Carbon dioxide	Not required – Low
Type	Stem Plant
Can grow emersed?	Yes
Can grow submerged?	Yes