Selecting the correct plants is essential to setting up a healthy aquarium. Anubias is one plant that always sticks out to aquarists of all skill levels. These hardy and adaptable plants are a popular choice in many aquatic setups because of their appealing appearance and ease of maintenance.
There are many varieties of anubias plants, and each has a special charm of its own. Their large, deep green leaves can give your tank a lush, organic appearance. Anubias are a great addition to any aquatic design, whether your goal is to create a vibrant aquascape or just add some greenery.
Anubias’s versatility is what makes it so alluring. It doesn’t need specific substrates and can grow in a variety of environments with low to moderate light levels. On the other hand, Anubias frequently clings to driftwood or rocks, which makes it an ideal plant for aquariums with a variety of configurations.
We’ll go into detail about Anubias care in this post, covering how to plant and care for it as well as advice on keeping it vibrant and healthy. Anubias might be the perfect plant to bring some greenery into your aquatic environment, whether you’re setting up a new tank or trying to improve an old one.
Aspect | Details |
Common Name | Anubias |
Scientific Name | Anubias spp. |
Type | Aquarium Plant |
Size | Small to Medium |
Growth Rate | Slow |
Light Requirement | Low to Moderate |
Temperature Range | 72-82°F (22-28°C) |
pH Range | 6.0-7.5 |
Water Hardness | Soft to Hard |
Planting | Attach to rocks or driftwood |
Care Level | Easy |
Propagation | Division |
Anubias Afzellii – Anubias afzellii
Family Araceae of aroids. Homeland: the West African tropical regions.
The plant can take on multiple forms. Anubias lanceolata is a well-known name for one of them. This plant was previously known by the name Anubias congensis.
Aquarists commonly use this kind of anubias. It can be grown in a paludarium or an aquarium, although it grows very slowly in the latter. The bushes in an aquarium typically grow to a height of 50 cm. Anubias is set against the backdrop. It grows continuously for the entire year. In terms of maintenance requirements, this plant is not very demanding.
Anubias grow best in tropical aquariums with water that is at least 24 °C; in colder water, they almost completely stop growing. The type of growth and the water’s active reaction are not greatly impacted by water hardness. It’s crucial to keep the aquarium clean and to change the water frequently for anubias. Fouling occurs when organic matter builds up on the leaves, and anubias are extremely sensitive to this. In such circumstances, old leaves wither quickly and the bush only keeps two or three fully developed new leaves.
Anubias does not have any requirements regarding lighting. It is better to have even mild, diffused light or to have floating plants shade it, as too much light causes green algae to develop on the leaves, which is very detrimental to the health of the plant. It is preferable to use matte-bulb fluorescent and incandescent lights with a maximum power of 60 W when artificial lighting a plant, and to position them directly above it. Additionally, diffused and moderate natural light is preferred. Anubias will do best during 11–12 hours of daylight.
The soil ought to be rich in nutrients. The size of the substrate particles has no bearing on Anubias’s robust root system, which is made up of thick, cord-like roots. It is essential to place nutrient supplements beneath the roots of a newly planted plant in unfamiliar soil. For this, silt from an old aquarium works best. Additives made of clay and clay-peat mixtures work well. Up to 10 or 15 cm of soil should be present in the layer.
It makes no sense to add mineral fertilizer to the water where anubias grows because other, faster-growing hydrophytes in a typical aquarium take up the nutrients from the water. Furthermore, it is impractical to create a special aquarium for anubias because a paludarium is a better place to keep anubia collections.
The plant feels more comfortable in a humid greenhouse or paludarium than it does in an aquarium. When grown in well-silted soil with adequate diffused lighting and a temperature between 26 and 30 °C, anubias attains a considerably faster growth rate and larger size compared to aquarium plants. It produces more lateral shoots that can be used for further growth. A shoot that has been cut off from the parent plant should be planted with its rhizome buried all the way down to the leaf base in the ground. The rhizome remains above ground when planting a large plant with a developed rhizome; only the roots are buried.
Seed propagation of Anubias under artificial conditions is extremely challenging. Typically, seeds grown in a paludarium are of lower quality.
Due to its hardiness and low maintenance needs, anubias is a popular and adaptable plant among aquarium enthusiasts. Anubias, which is well-known for its broad, eye-catching leaves and adaptability to a variety of environments, gives aquariums a lush, organic appearance while giving fish and other aquatic life much-needed cover. Whether you’re a novice or an experienced fish keeper, adding Anubias to your tank can improve its appearance and health with little work.
Anubias plants are an excellent option for novice and expert aquarium hobbyists alike. They are perfect for a variety of tank configurations because of their robustness and low maintenance needs. Anubias are adaptable and beautiful, glossy green leaves that look great in any aquarium. They can grow in a variety of environments.
Anubias’ ease of maintenance is one of its main benefits. They grow slowly, so they won’t quickly outgrow your tank or need frequent trimming, and they don’t require high light or special substrates. They are therefore a fantastic choice for people who want a gorgeous aquarium with little work.
Anubias plants also provide you with a lot of arrangement options for your tank. Their ability to be fastened to rocks, driftwood, and other ornaments makes it simple to include them in your aquascaping design. Additionally, because they can thrive in a range of environments, you can arrange them in various parts of the tank and still appreciate their beauty.
All things considered, Anubias plants are a dependable and eye-catching option for any aquarium. They are a favorite among fish keepers due to their adaptability, ease of care, and aesthetic appeal. Anubias will certainly bring a bit of greenery and style to your aquatic setting, whether you’re setting up a new tank or improving an old one.