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Dwarf Anubias

Anubias barteri var. nana · family Araceae

Dwarf Anubias (Anubias barteri var. nana) — aquarium plant
Abhik.Mazumdar.73 / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 4.0
Light
Low
CO₂
Not required
Temperature
22–28 °C
pH
6–7.5
Hardness
2–15 °dGH
Growth rate
Slow
Height
up to 10 cm
Placement
Epiphyte
Root feeder
No

Pros and cons

  • Extremely hardy — tolerates a wide range of conditions
  • Tough leaves are ignored by snails and most herbivorous fish
  • Needs no CO₂ or bright light — perfect for shaded tanks
  • Propagates by rhizome division without special setup
  • Very slow growth: one new leaf every 1–2 months
  • Under bright light, older leaves quickly catch spot algae
  • Rhizome must not be buried in substrate — it rots

Description

Anubias nana is an epiphyte: it attaches to driftwood and stones, and the rhizome must not be buried in substrate (it would rot). Perfect for biotope tanks and as a slow-growing hardscape backbone.

The tough leaves don't appeal to most herbivorous fish or snails, which makes anubias popular for tanks with goldfish and large cichlids.

Care

Mounting

Attach the rhizome to driftwood or stone with thread, fishing line, or cyanoacrylate glue. After 4–6 weeks the roots take hold on their own and the tie can be removed.

Light and algae

Because of its slow growth, bright light quickly leads to spot algae on the leaves. Best kept in partial shade or beneath floating plants.

Propagation

By rhizome division: cut into sections of 3–4 leaves, each with its own growth point. Let the cuts dry briefly or dust them with activated charcoal.

FAQ

Why isn't my anubias growing?
Possible causes: macronutrient deficiency, rhizome buried in the substrate (it rots), or too little light. A healthy anubias produces one new leaf every 1–2 months.
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AuthorGoldie Editorial

Goldie editorial team

Practising aquarists with a combined 30+ years of experience · Biologists and editors, fact-checking against FishBase and Seriously Fish · Every piece is reviewed by a qualified ichthyologist before publication

Goldie Science Board — collective scientific review panel
Reviewed byGoldie Science Board

Scientific board — ichthyologists and veterinarians

Ichthyologists and veterinarians with university degrees · Reference FishBase, Seriously Fish and peer-reviewed literature · Sign every reviewed article with their credentials shown

Sources

  1. Anubias barteri var. nana — Tropica · Tropica · 2026-05-22