Anubias nana

Quick facts

Max height

10 cm

Growth rate

slow

Difficulty

beginner

Placement

foreground, midground

Propagation

rhizome division

Water parameters

Temperature

22–28°C

pH

6.0 to 8.0

Hardness

0 to 25 dGH

Light and nutrients

Lighting

low

CO2

not required, but boosts growth and color

Substrate

epiphyte

Feeding

feeds from the water column (use liquid fertilizer)

Substrate

What this plant roots into (or attaches to). The substrate affects both plant nutrition and water chemistry; see each linked page for full effects.

This plant feeds primarily from the water column, so substrate choice matters more for its fish-tank compatibility than for plant nutrition.

With fish

Plant-eating fish

safe with plant-eating fish (tough leaves or unpalatable)

Diggers (corydoras, loaches)

fine - root system or attachment style handles it

Root-disturbing fish

tolerates fish that disturb roots

Habitat

Originally described as Anubias barteri var. nana, native to tropical West Africa (Cameroon, Nigeria). The most popular Anubias variety in the aquarium hobby due to its compact size: leaves reach only 3–6 cm long, making it suitable for nano tanks and foreground placement in larger setups. The plant grows as a creeping rhizome with small, rounded, dark green leaves. Like all Anubias, it's a rheophyte that naturally grows on rocks and submerged wood in streams. Tissue culture (in vitro) specimens are widely available and are the preferred way to buy Anubias nana because they're guaranteed free of algae, snails, and pests. Several cultivars exist beyond the standard form: 'Petite' (even smaller), 'Golden' (yellow-green leaves), 'Snow White' (white-veined), and 'Pangolino' (miniature).

Care notes

Same care as Anubias barteri but the smaller leaf size makes it more versatile in aquascaping. Attach to hardscape using super glue (gel type, not liquid) or thread. Do not bury the rhizome in substrate. The small, rounded leaves (3–6 cm) are useful for creating a carpeted look on wood and stone in low-tech tanks where true carpeting plants (HC Cuba, dwarf hairgrass, Monte Carlo) won't survive without CO2 injection. A piece of driftwood covered in Anubias nana is one of the most reliable low-tech aquascaping techniques. Growth is very slow; a single plant takes months to spread visibly across a piece of driftwood. Under high light, algae colonizes the slow-growing leaves faster than the plant produces new ones. Keep light moderate, or if using strong lighting, ensure CO2 and nutrients are balanced and maintain a cleanup crew. Trim dead or heavily algae-covered leaves at the base using sharp scissors. Propagation: divide the rhizome once it has extended enough to cut a section with 3-4 leaves. Each piece continues growing independently. In shrimp tanks, Anubias nana is a top choice because the small leaves and root structure provide excellent grazing surface for biofilm (which shrimp eat) and hiding cover for baby shrimp. The tissue culture (in vitro) form is the best way to buy: pest-free, algae-free, and generally more vigorous than pot-grown specimens from nurseries.

Further reading

• How to cycle a fish tank
• Water chemistry for fishkeepers: pH, GH, KH, and what they mean