Anubias Plant Care Information

Anubias is a fairly easy-to-keep plant that can be found in many different freshwater aquariums. This is an excellent starter plant for most hobbyists dipping their toes into live-planted tanks. Personally keeping anubias in my aquarium has helped me realize how easy it is to keep. One of the most common of the anubias species is Anubias barteri. This guide is meant to cover anubias plant care in your freshwater fish tanks.

Anubias Keeping Requirements

As stated previously, this plant does not require much of anything to stay alive. Although they prefer moderate lighting they still do well in both low-light and high-light situations. They may grow incredibly slowly in low-light aquariums but shouldn’t perish. They will also grow quicker in brighter light fish tanks but they may be plagued with algae growth on their leaves. They should do fine with a light that ranges from 1 – 3 watts per gallon.

These plants are excellent for your typical freshwater community tank because the water parameter anubias needs line up roughly with the aquarium requirements. They require a temperature ranging from 72° – 82° F, KH levels between 3 and 7, and pH levels between 6.5 – 7.5. It is quite a versatile plant that is accepting of a broad water parameter spectrum.

Fertilizer and CO2 systems are recommended for live plants but they are not a requirement for this one. Proper gravel such as Eco-Complete by CaribSea and fish waste should provide the supplements this plant needs. As a bonus aquarium inhabitants such as fish and invertebrates will provide much of the CO2 for this plant. Good gravel and decent lighting go a long way for anubias.

Anubias Plant Placement

Anubias is one species of aquatic plant that does excellent growing outside of substrate too. Many aquarists will wedge their anubias in between driftwood and/or rocks. The plant will snag most nutrients straight out of the water column. Personally, this is my preferred method of keeping this plant. It makes propagating easier and I feel this allows the rhizome and roots to breathe a little bit better. Be sure not to crush the roots under the rocks. A simple wedging should suffice. Many hobbyists use a rubber band to keep the plant attached to driftwood and then remove the band once it is attached.

Propagating Anubias

Propagation is quite easy as well! The easiest way to propagate is to verify the plant has at least 8 or more leaves. Using aquarium scissors, like the ones listed below, you can cut the rhizome in a way where half the leaves are on one cut rhizome and the rest are on the other. Then decide where to put the newly propagated anubias and the task is complete! It shouldn’t need much more than that.

Final Thoughts

Anubias plant care is fairly straightforward. This makes them an excellent plant for first-time keepers. I love using them for low-maintenance betta aquariums. They do not require much and the betta will use the leaves as a place to rest and it’s so much fun to observe. They’re excellent plants for the foreground, midground, and background of any aquarium. They’re a very appealing plant that is very rewarding to grow. If you are new to plant keeping, consider checking out 3 Easy to Care For Aquatic Plants for Freshwater Fish Tanks.

Image by Ji-Elle on wikimedia