Anubias barteri
Anubias barteri var. barteri
Also known asanubias broad leaf
Water parameters
Light and nutrients
Substrate type: epiphyte. Propagation: rhizome division.
Substrate compatibility
| Substrate | pH effect | Nutrient load |
|---|---|---|
| Wood and rock mounts (Hardscape mount) | varies | none |
| Inert sand (Pool filter sand) | neutral / inert | none |
| Inert gravel (Aquarium gravel) | neutral / inert | none |
| Limestone gravel (Crushed coral) | raises pH | none |
| Bare bottom (no substrate) (Bare bottom) | n/a | none |
| Aquasoil (ADA Amazonia) | lowers pH | very high |
| Mineralized clay substrate (Seachem Fluorite) | neutral / inert | moderate |
With fish
Origin and habitat
Native to tropical West Africa, growing along stream banks and on rocks in and near freshwater in countries from Cameroon through Nigeria to Equatorial Guinea. The species (Anubias barteri) and its many varieties grow as rheophytes: plants adapted to fast-flowing water, anchoring to rocks and wood with strong rhizomatous roots. Several commercial varieties exist: var. barteri (the standard large form), var. nana (the small form, sometimes sold as a separate species), var. coffeifolia (with textured, coffee-leaf-shaped leaves), and var. glabra. The leaves are thick, dark green, and waxy, with a leathery texture that makes them unpalatable to most herbivorous fish. This is the primary reason Anubias is recommended for tanks with plant-eating species like goldfish, cichlids, and silver dollars.
Care notes
One of the easiest aquarium plants available. Tolerates low light, no CO2, hard water, soft water, and temperatures from 20–30°C. Grows slowly regardless of conditions, producing one new leaf every 1-3 weeks per growth point. The single most important care rule: never bury the rhizome in substrate. The rhizome is the thick horizontal stem from which leaves grow upward and roots grow downward. If buried, it rots and the plant dies. Attach the plant to driftwood or rocks using super glue (cyanoacrylate gel), thread, or fishing line. The roots will grip the hardscape naturally over a few weeks. Anubias does well in shade; placing it under taller plants or in lower-light areas of the tank is appropriate. Under high light without CO2, the slow-growing leaves attract algae, especially black beard algae (BBA) and green spot algae (GSA). The combination of slow growth and bright light is the worst scenario for any Anubias because algae grows faster than the plant can produce new leaf surface. In high-light setups, add CO2 and balanced nutrient dosing to keep the growth rate of the plant closer to the algae growth rate. Cleanup crew (nerite snails, Amano shrimp) helps manage algae on leaves. Propagation is by dividing the rhizome: cut a section with at least 3-4 leaves and attach it elsewhere. Both pieces continue growing from their respective cut ends.