Anubias Barteri

Anubias barteri

Appearance & Growth

Bring lasting green structure to your aquascape with Anubias Barteri. Its sturdy, broad leaves grow from a creeping rhizome, creating a bold contrast to mosses and fine-leaved stem plants. Mounted on driftwood or rock, it forms a leafy accent where shrimp can graze and small fish can shelter. Slow growth makes it a practical choice for layouts that do not need constant trimming.

Size & Placement

Best suited to the midground of most aquariums or the background of smaller layouts. Standard Anubias Barteri develops a larger footprint than dwarf forms such as Nana. Leave room for mature leaves and sideways rhizome growth; final size varies with growing conditions and the form supplied.

Compatible Tankmates

• Peaceful community fish such as tetras, rasboras, and corydoras
• Dwarf shrimp, which graze biofilm from leaves and roots
• Plant-safe snails such as nerites
• Sturdy foliage tolerates normal community activity, but determined plant-eaters and fish that tear or dislodge plants can still cause damage.

Planted-Tank Role

Anubias Barteri softens hardscape and adds broad-leaved texture without requiring a deep planting bed. Its roots gradually grip wood or rock, making it useful in sand, gravel, and bare-bottom setups. As a slow grower, it complements rather than replaces fast-growing plants, filtration, and regular water changes.

Lighting & Nutrition

• Lighting: low to moderate aquarium lighting is usually sufficient. Partial shade can help limit algae on slow-growing leaves.
• Photoperiod: start with 6–8 hours daily and adjust to plant response and algae growth.
• Fertilizer: a complete aquarium plant fertilizer used according to its label can supplement nutrients in the water.
• CO2: injection is not required in many setups, though balanced supplementation can support growth.
• Avoid increasing light intensity simply to force faster growth; healthy Anubias naturally develops slowly.

Water Conditions

• Adaptable to a broad range of stable tropical freshwater aquarium conditions.
• Provide gentle circulation around leaves and the rhizome to prevent debris buildup.
• Avoid abrupt changes in temperature or water chemistry.
• Keep the rhizome firm, exposed, and free of decaying material.

Planting Guidance

• Remove any pot and packing wool carefully. If supplied as tissue culture, rinse away the growing gel.
• Attach to driftwood or rock with thread, a loose plant tie, or a small amount of aquarium-safe plant glue.
• Do not bury the rhizome: the thick horizontal stem connecting the leaves and roots must remain above the substrate to help prevent rot.
• Roots may extend into the substrate as long as the rhizome stays exposed.
• Do not crush the rhizome between rocks or tighten ties enough to cut into it.

Trimming & Propagation

• Remove damaged or deteriorating leaves by cutting their stalks near the rhizome with clean scissors, without injuring the growing stem.
• Divide a healthy, established rhizome with a clean, sharp tool, leaving several healthy leaves and roots on each section.
• Allow divisions time to establish before dividing again.
• Gently clear debris from leaves during maintenance and monitor older foliage for algae.
• Some older leaves may decline after a change in conditions. Remove decaying foliage and watch for fresh growth from the rhizome.