Care specifications
| Type | Rhizome |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | Easy |
| Light | Low (10–30 µmol PAR) |
| CO2 | Not needed |
| Fertilizer demand | Low |
| Growth rate | Slow |
| Max height | 6 in |
| Spread | 6 in |
| Placement | Foreground, Midground, Epiphyte |
| Attaches to hardscape | Yes |
| Snail & shrimp safe | Yes |
| Temperature | 72–82 °F |
| pH | 6–7.8 |
| Color | Green |
| Trimming | Minimal |
| Styles | Nature, Jungle, Biotope |
Get Anubias Nana
Propagation
Cut the rhizome into sections with at least three leaves each and reattach the divisions to hardscape.
Frequently asked questions
Why does my Anubias get algae on its leaves?
Because Anubias grows so slowly, its leaves stay in place long enough for algae to settle, especially under strong light. Place it in shaded spots, keep light periods to about 7–8 hours, and let amano shrimp or nerite snails graze the leaves clean.
Can Anubias flower underwater?
Yes. Healthy Anubias regularly produces a white, calla-lily-like flower fully submerged. It does not indicate a problem — enjoy it; the flower lasts a few weeks before melting back.
What is Anubias rot and can the plant be saved?
Rot announces itself as a stretch of rhizome going black and mushy, often spreading from a damaged spot. Cut back to firm green tissue with sterilized scissors, discard every soft piece, and reattach the clean sections where water circulation is stronger. Caught early, the surviving rhizome typically regrows.
Can Anubias survive with African cichlids or goldfish?
Yes — it is one of the very few plants that can. The thick, leathery leaves are too tough and unpalatable for grazers to bother with, and since the rhizome attaches to rock or wood, diggers cannot uproot it. Java Fern is about its only company in that role.
Go deeper
Anubias Nana appears in
- Aquarium plants that grow in low light
- Foreground plants for aquariums
- Midground plants for aquariums
- Aquarium plants you can attach to stone
- Aquarium plants you can attach to driftwood
- Aquarium plants that don't need CO2
- Aquarium plants for nano tanks
- Snail-safe aquarium plants
- Slow-growing aquarium plants
- Low-maintenance aquarium plants
- Aquarium plants for beginners
- Aquarium plants for betta tanks
- Plants for jungle-style aquascapes
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