As soon you decide to have a planted aquarium, the 1st question which would hit your mind what plant should I start with and 90% of hobbyist end with this answer “Let’s start with Anubias” and the reason is they are less demanding plants and very hardy in nature.
If they are hardy and less demanding why do you need a beginner’s guide for a hardy plant? The answer is they are expensive, so its important to know how to keep them and grow them healthy and this is charted out precisely in the beginner’s guide
Anubias – Overview
| Common Name | Anubias |
| Color | Light Green to Dark Green |
| Habitat/Origin | They are native to central and western Africa, mostly found in the rivers. |
| Average Size | Depending on the variety, the size differs and on an average they grow up to a height of 10cm. |
| Growth Rate | Slow growers, in ideal conditions they produce a leaf every 3 to 4 weeks. |
| Placement | Mostly preferred as a Foreground plant. |
| Maintenance | Low in maintenance, they don’t require nutrient dosing on a regular basis and no frequent trimming required. |
| Planting Methods | 2 methods are used, tying them to Wood with a string or cable, tie and planting them in nutrient rich soil with their rhizome above the substrate. |
| Ideal Setup | Most suitable for low tech aquarium because of the less maintenance nature. |
| Care Level | Easy, most suitable beginners’ aquatic plant. |
| Supplements | Co2, Nutrient Rich soil. |
| Lighting | Low light plants. |
| Water temperature | Preferred range of temperature is 72 to 82 Degree Fahrenheit or 22 to 28 Degree Celsius. |
| Propogation | Its simple, cut the Rhizome, ensure there are at least 3 leaves and you can plant them in a different location. |
| Approx. Cost | In USA, they cost around 7 to 12 Dollars and in Asia they are around ½ the price of USA. |
| Common Diseases | The leaves turns yellow, if there is no ideal condition for plant to thrive. |
| What to look for when buying | Don’t buy if there are Snails are eggs on the leaves. If the leaves are yellow in color, dotted holes in leaves and algae don’t buy them. |
| Related Specifies | Anubias barteri, Anubias afzelii, Anubias barteri var. Nana, Anubias barteri Coffeefolia, Anubias gigantea, Anubias gracilis, Anubias hastifolia. |
| FAQs | Check out the 9 most asked questions about Anubias |
Anubias Gallery
References
- Crusio, W. (1979). “A revision of Anubias Schott (Araceae). (Primitiae Africanae XII)”. Mededelingen Landbouwhogeschool Wageningen
- Schott, H. (December 1857). “Aroideen Skizzen”. Österreichisches Botanisches Wochenblatt (in German and Latin). doi:10.1007/BF02071618.
- Christel Kasselmann (2002). Aquarium Plants. Malabar, FL: Krieger Publishing Company. pp. 104. ISBN 1-57524-091-2.
- Crusio WE (1987). “Die Gattung Anubias SCHOTT (Araceae)”. Aqua Planta (in German). Sonderheft