Plants
Anubias
Anubias barteri
Origin: West and Central Africa. According to English Wikipedia — south-eastern Nigeria, Cameroon and Bioko; according to Russian Wikipedia — also Guinea, Côte d'Ivoire, Liberia, Congo and Gabon. It grows near forest waters in shady places and in swamps, along river banks, in ditches and ponds. It is mostly emersed and becomes fully submerged when rivers flood; it roots both in muddy soil and on rocks and wood.
Also known as: Anubias barteri Schott, 1860 Anubias barteri var. barteri (type variety) Broadleaf Anubias
Fact sheet
- Height
- 45 cm
- Temperature
- 22–28 °C
- pH
- 6.5–7.5
- Hardness GH
- 2–15 °dH
- Lighting
- Low
- CO₂
- Not needed
- Growth rate
- Slow
- Placement
- On wood or rock, Midground, Background
Varieties
Photos
Overview
Anubias barteri is a marsh plant of the arum family (Araceae) and probably the most common anubias in home aquariums. The species is very variable: there are several natural varieties that differ in leaf shape and size, plus a number of cultivars.
It is valued for being undemanding and shade-tolerant: it grows in low light, without CO2 and without being planted in the substrate — on wood and rocks. Herbivorous fish do not eat its tough leaves, so it suits tanks with goldfish and cichlids. Growth is slow.
Appearance
The rhizome is thick and fleshy and creeps horizontally; it is 5–7 mm thick according to Tetra, up to 7.6 mm according to Russian Wikipedia. Numerous roots grow from it.
Leaves sit on petioles 5–30 cm long; the blade is 7–20 cm long and 3–10 cm wide, oval or ovate-lanceolate with a pointed tip. The margin is smooth or slightly wavy, colour ranges from light to dark green; the upper side is glossy, the underside velvety. The midrib is clearly visible, side veins are barely noticeable.
Height in the aquarium is up to 30 cm according to Tetra, 25–45 cm according to Tropica. In var. barteri leaves may reach 30 cm (English Wikipedia). In good conditions it produces spadix-type inflorescences, even under water.
Care
- Placement: suits a tank of any size; large plants are placed singly towards the back or used as a focal point, and can be attached at any height.
- Planting: best tied to driftwood or rock with fishing line or cotton thread (Tetra also mentions safe glue), firmly but without damaging the rhizome. If planted in the substrate (coarse sand, fine gravel), the rhizome must not be buried — it rots.
- Light: low, diffused; not directly under the lamps — in the shade of other plants or under floating plants. Photoperiod no longer than 12 hours.
- CO2: not needed; according to Tetra, adding it has no significant effect on growth.
- Temperature: 24–28 °C (Tetra); 22–28 °C (English Wikipedia).
- Water: pH 6.5–7.5, GH 2–15; grows in both soft and hard water.
- Maintenance: very sensitive to algae on the leaves — keep light moderate and change about 20% of the water weekly. Frequent trimming is not needed.
Difficulty: a very easy plant (Tropica: "Easy"), suitable for beginners.
Fertilizing
Heavy fertilisation is not needed. Regular doses of a liquid fertiliser (e.g. Tetra PlantaMin) help keep the leaves intact and brightly coloured.
The roots of Anubias barteri go fairly deep, so when planted in the substrate it needs a nutrient-rich base; when replanting, it is recommended to put nutrient tablets under the roots.
Breeding
- Rhizome division: cut off a piece of rhizome with several (3–4) leaves and some roots with a knife and plant or attach it elsewhere.
- Side shoots: can be separated from the mother plant.
- A new growth bud appears at the cut on the old plant after 1–2 months.
Fun facts
- The species was described by Heinrich Wilhelm Schott in 1860 and named after plant collector Charles Barter.
- Anubias barteri can flower right in the aquarium.
- It also grows well out of water, so it suits paludariums.