- Common name
- Anubias
- Scientific name
- Anubias spp.
- Category
- Aquarium plant
- Group
- Anubias
- Environment
- Freshwater aquarium or species-appropriate paludarium
- Origin
- Tropical Africa; the accepted species have different natural ranges and habitat preferences
- Care level
- Easy to advanced depending on species
- Adult size
- Unknown as a single genus-wide figure — accepted species range from compact aquarium plants to large semi-aquatic plants
- Expected lifespan
- Long-lived perennial under suitable conditions; exact lifespan is unknown
- Minimum housing
- Unknown species-wide — identify the species or cultivar and provide its full mature height, spread and emersed-growth space
- Temperature
- Unknown species-wide — commonly cultivated in stable tropical freshwater, but no dependable universal numeric range was found
- pH
- Unknown species-wide — no dependable universal numeric range was found
- Hardness / minerals
- Unknown species-wide — commonly reported as adaptable from soft to hard freshwater, but no dependable universal GH/KH range was found
- Salinity
- Freshwater; not a brackish-water genus
- Lighting
- Unknown species-wide — many aquarium forms tolerate low to moderate light; acclimate and control algae
- Placement / zone
- Rhizome exposed on rock or wood, or roots placed in substrate while the rhizome remains above it
- Filtration
- Use gentle circulation and fine mechanical capture to keep detritus from settling on slow leaves and around the rhizome. Do not aim a harsh jet at new growth, and guard intakes after division or attachment work.
- Aeration
- Maintain ordinary whole-aquarium gas exchange. In low-flow hardscape pockets, ensure water still exchanges around the rhizome; in carbon-injected systems protect night-time oxygen.
- Maintenance
- Keep the rhizome exposed, remove failing leaves at the petiole base, clean persistent algae and sediment gently, inspect attachments, and divide only established branching growth with clean tools.
Identity and search names
Genus-level guide only. Accepted species differ greatly in size and emersed habit; use a species or cultivar route whenever the plant is known.
Search names: Anubias group, African anubias, Anubias plants
Environment and housing
Most are rheophytic or helophytic forest plants associated with streams, rocks, mud or swampy ground. In aquaria, keep the rhizome exposed and provide clean leaves with gentle circulation.
Social structure: One clump or a spaced group of clonal divisions; no animal social structure applies. Leave room for the mature rhizome and species-specific leaf spread.
Feeding and nutrition
Feeding ecology: Slow-growing root-and-leaf nutrient uptake; balanced water-column nutrients are usually more important than heavy dosing
Feeding routine: Maintain non-zero macro- and micronutrients without routine excess. Diagnose new growth before changing fertiliser.
Breeding, reproduction or spread
Divide only a vigorous rhizome with clean tools. Retain several leaves and roots per division and secure it without crushing the rhizome.
Detailed care and app-ready planning
- Identity scope
- Genus-level guide only. Accepted species differ greatly in size and emersed habit; use a species or cultivar route whenever the plant is known.
- Adult size and space
- Unknown genus-wide. Confirm the plant before placement because accepted species vary greatly in petiole length, leaf size and emersed habit.
- Social structure
- One clump or a spaced group of clonal divisions; no animal social structure applies. Leave room for the mature rhizome and species-specific leaf spread.
- Swimming zone or placement
- Attached foreground, midground or emersed hardscape according to the identified species or cultivar; no animal swimming zone applies.
- Feeding ecology
- Slow-growing photosynthetic rhizome plant using light, dissolved carbon and restrained water-column nutrition.
- Feeding plan
- Maintain non-zero macro- and micronutrients without routine excess. Diagnose new growth before changing fertiliser.
- Water stability
- Universal numeric temperature, pH and GH/KH limits are Unknown. Keep dechlorinated freshwater stable and change temperature and mineral content gradually.
- Habitat structure
- Rhizome exposed on rock or wood, or roots placed in substrate while the rhizome remains above it, with gentle debris-clearing flow.
- Compatibility plan
- Match mature plant size to the aquarium. Protect rhizomes from digging fish and keep leaves free from sediment and persistent algae.
- Breeding or reproduction plan
- Divide only a vigorous rhizome with clean tools. Retain several leaves and roots per division and secure it without crushing the rhizome.
- Quarantine
- Inspect leaves, rhizomes, roots and packaging for snails, eggs, algae, hydra, pesticides, rot and terrestrial pests.
- Welfare checks
- Check new-leaf shape, rhizome firmness, root growth, yellowing, holes, translucent tissue, algae coating and burial of the rhizome.
- Biosecurity and release
- Never release aquarium plants, fragments, substrate or wastewater into drains, ponds, dams or waterways. Check current Australian import conditions and state weed rules using the accepted botanical identity and all known synonyms.
- Main risk
- Wrong species identification followed by inadequate mature space or rhizome burial.
- Adult projected load
- Projected load is slow perennial leaf and rhizome biomass, shading, trapped detritus and viable divisions. Biological waste is low, but neglected leaves can become long-term algae and debris surfaces.
- Filtration
- Use gentle circulation and fine mechanical capture to keep detritus from settling on slow leaves and around the rhizome. Do not aim a harsh jet at new growth, and guard intakes after division or attachment work.
- Aeration
- Maintain ordinary whole-aquarium gas exchange. In low-flow hardscape pockets, ensure water still exchanges around the rhizome; in carbon-injected systems protect night-time oxygen.
- Maintenance
- Keep the rhizome exposed, remove failing leaves at the petiole base, clean persistent algae and sediment gently, inspect attachments, and divide only established branching growth with clean tools.
- Overridable warnings
- Non-overridable: never bury the rhizome or release viable divisions, leaves with growing tissue, substrate or aquarium water. Light, fertiliser and attachment methods may vary only while the rhizome remains firm, exposed and free of persistent algae or rot.
- Identity
- Anubias is an accepted tropical African genus. Use species and cultivar names where available; vague “Anubias” labels are not enough for size, origin or conservation claims.
- Environment
- Most are rheophytic or helophytic forest plants associated with streams, rocks, mud or swampy ground. In aquaria, keep the rhizome exposed and provide clean leaves with gentle circulation.
- Feeding
- Use restrained balanced fertilisation. Slow growth means excess light and nutrients often feed algae before they benefit the plant.
- Breeding
- Propagate aquarium plants by dividing a healthy rhizome so each section retains roots and several leaves. Sexual propagation is species-specific and not required for routine aquarium maintenance.
- Adult size and space
- Unknown genus-wide. Confirm the plant before placement because accepted species vary greatly in petiole length, leaf size and emersed habit.
- Growth Rate
- Generally slow in aquarium cultivation, but exact rate varies by species, emersed versus submerged growth, light and nutrient supply.
- Lighting Plan
- Start low to moderate and increase only if new growth remains healthy and algae is controlled. Avoid placing slow leaves directly under intense light by default.
- Carbon Plan
- Injected carbon dioxide is optional for many cultivated forms. Stability is more important than chasing high dissolved CO₂.
- Nutrient Plan
- Maintain non-zero macro- and micronutrients without routine excess. Diagnose new growth before changing fertiliser.
- Substrate Plan
- Attach to wood or rock, or place only the roots in substrate. The creeping rhizome must stay exposed to water flow.
- Propagation plan
- Divide only a vigorous rhizome with clean tools. Retain several leaves and roots per division and secure it without crushing the rhizome.
- Biosecurity and release
- Never release aquarium plants, fragments, substrate or wastewater into drains, ponds, dams or waterways. Check current Australian import conditions and state weed rules using the accepted botanical identity and all known synonyms.
Compatibility, welfare and risk
Compatibility: Suitable for many freshwater aquaria when the exact species fits the available space; digging fish can dislodge plants and strong shade can suppress other plants.
Welfare: Check new-leaf shape, rhizome firmness, root growth, yellowing, holes, translucent tissue, algae coating and burial of the rhizome.
Main warning: This is a genus guide, not one care sheet. Do not apply nana-sized housing to large semi-aquatic species, and never bury the rhizome.
Biosecurity and release
Never release aquarium plants, fragments, substrate or wastewater into drains, ponds, dams or waterways. Check current Australian import conditions and state weed rules using the accepted botanical identity and all known synonyms.