If you’re looking for a hardy, low-maintenance, and visually appealing plant for your aquarium, Anubias Nana should be at the top of your list. This small but resilient aquatic plant is a favorite among aquascapers and hobbyists alike. With its thick green leaves, slow growth, and adaptability to various tank conditions, Anubias Nana can enhance the beauty and health of your aquarium while requiring minimal effort.

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about keeping Anubias Nana in your aquarium—from planting methods and tank requirements to propagation, care tips, and aquascaping ideas. Whether you’re a beginner aquarist or an advanced hobbyist, this long-form article will give you all the insights to grow a lush and healthy Anubias Nana aquarium.

What is Anubias Nana?

Anubias barteri var. nana, commonly known as Anubias Nana, is a small freshwater aquarium plant native to West Africa. It belongs to the Araceae family and is one of the most popular species of the Anubias genus.

Key features of Anubias Nana include:

• Small Size: Typically grows 2–6 inches tall.
• Broad Leaves: Dark green, oval-shaped leaves that are thick and hardy.
• Rhizome Growth: Grows horizontally from a thick rhizome rather than roots.
• Slow Growth Rate: Expands slowly but steadily.

Its compact size and hardy nature make it suitable for nano tanks, aquascapes, and low-maintenance aquariums.

Why Choose Anubias Nana for Your Aquarium?

Aquarists love Anubias Nana because of its many advantages:

1. Low Maintenance: Requires little care and thrives in various water conditions.
2. Beginner-Friendly: Perfect for newcomers to planted tanks.
3. Shade-Tolerant: Can grow in low-light setups where other plants may struggle.
4. Algae-Resistant: Thick leaves are less prone to algae damage.
5. Versatile Placement: Can be attached to driftwood, rocks, or decor.
6. Aesthetic Value: Its deep green leaves add contrast and natural beauty.

Tank Setup for Anubias Nana Aquarium

Tank Size

Anubias Nana is compact and suitable for tanks of all sizes, from nano aquariums (5–10 gallons) to large community tanks. Its small size makes it an excellent choice for aquascaping foregrounds and midgrounds.

Lighting

• Thrives in low to medium light.
• High lighting may encourage algae growth on leaves.
• Around 8–10 hours of light daily is ideal.

Substrate

Unlike rooted plants, Anubias Nana does not need substrate to grow. It absorbs nutrients through its rhizome and leaves. However:

• If planting in substrate, bury only the roots, never the rhizome.
• Can also be attached to rocks, driftwood, or ornaments.

Water Parameters

• Temperature: 72–82°F (22–28°C)
• pH: 6.0–7.5
• Hardness: Soft to moderately hard water

Filtration and Flow

• Prefers gentle to moderate water flow.
• Strong currents should be avoided as they may dislodge the plant.

Planting Anubias Nana in Your Aquarium

There are several ways to incorporate Anubias Nana into your aquascape:

1. Attaching to Hardscape

• Tie or glue the rhizome to rocks, driftwood, or decorations.
• Over time, roots will naturally attach themselves.

2. Substrate Planting

• Bury only the roots in the substrate while keeping the rhizome exposed.
• Burying the rhizome can cause it to rot.

3. Floating Method

• Anubias Nana can even be left floating, though it will grow slower.

Growth and Propagation of Anubias Nana

Growth Rate

• Grows slowly compared to many aquarium plants.
• Typically produces 1–2 new leaves per month under optimal conditions.

Propagation

• Propagated by rhizome division.
• Simply cut a healthy rhizome into two sections, each with at least 3–4 leaves.
• Reattach new sections to rocks or driftwood.

Types of Anubias Nana

Over the years, several cultivars of Anubias Nana have been developed, each with unique leaf shapes and sizes:

• Anubias Nana Petite: Extremely small, ideal for nano tanks.
• Anubias Nana Golden: Bright green leaves that appear golden.
• Anubias Nana Pinto: Rare variety with white variegation on leaves.
• Anubias Nana Round: Rounder leaf shape.

These variations allow aquascapers to use Anubias Nana in creative ways.

Benefits of Anubias Nana in Aquariums

1. Low Light Tolerance – Thrives where other plants cannot.
2. Algae Resistance – Thick leaves withstand algae better than delicate plants.
3. Natural Shelter – Provides hiding spots for shrimp, fry, and small fish.
4. Water Quality Improvement – Absorbs nitrates and improves oxygenation.
5. Aesthetic Appeal – Adds a bold green contrast to aquascapes.

Tank Mates for Anubias Nana

Anubias Nana is peaceful and compatible with almost all freshwater tank mates, such as:

• Community fish: Tetras, Guppies, Mollies, Rasboras, Platies
• Bottom dwellers: Corydoras, Otocinclus, Loaches
• Shrimp and Snails: Amano shrimp, Nerite snails, Cherry shrimp

Caution

Avoid housing Anubias Nana with plant-eating fish like goldfish or large cichlids, which may damage its leaves.

Common Problems with Anubias Nana

1. Algae Growth
   • Algae often grow on its broad leaves.
   • Reduce light intensity and add algae-eating fish/shrimp.
2. Rhizome Rot
   • Occurs if the rhizome is buried under substrate.
   • Always keep it above the substrate.
3. Yellowing Leaves
   • Usually due to nutrient deficiency (especially iron).
   • Use liquid fertilizers for supplementation.
4. Slow Growth
   • Normal for this plant, but growth may slow further under poor lighting.

Fertilization and CO₂ for Anubias Nana

• Fertilization: Liquid fertilizers with micronutrients (iron, potassium) improve growth.
• CO₂ Injection: Not required, but CO₂ can boost growth speed and leaf health.

Since it is a slow grower, over-fertilization should be avoided, as it can fuel algae.

Anubias Nana in Aquascaping

Anubias Nana is a versatile plant that can fit into many aquascaping styles:

• Foreground & Midground: Ideal due to its small size.
• Hardscape Accent: Attach to driftwood or rocks for natural looks.
• Low-Light Aquascapes: Thrives where carpets and other plants fail.
• Iwagumi Layouts: Works well as a contrast to stone arrangements.

Its dark green leaves provide excellent contrast against bright carpeting plants like dwarf hairgrass or Monte Carlo.

Maintenance Tips for Anubias Nana

• Trim yellow or algae-covered leaves from the base.
• Keep lighting moderate to prevent algae issues.
• Divide rhizomes every few months to propagate and prevent overcrowding.
• Perform regular water changes to maintain healthy growth.

Is Anubias Nana Beginner-Friendly?

Absolutely! Anubias Nana is one of the best plants for beginners because it is forgiving, low-maintenance, and resilient. Even in low-tech setups without fertilizers or CO₂, it can survive and provide beauty for years.

Conclusion

A Anubias Nana aquarium offers the perfect balance of beauty, simplicity, and practicality. Its compact size, lush green leaves, and hardy nature make it an excellent addition to both beginner and expert tanks. Whether you’re designing a high-tech aquascape or maintaining a simple community aquarium, Anubias Nana will thrive with minimal care.

With its ability to attach to hardscapes, tolerate low light, and provide shelter for aquatic creatures, Anubias Nana is a must-have plant that can elevate your aquarium to the next level.

FAQs About Anubias Nana Aquarium

Q1. Does Anubias Nana need CO₂?
No, CO₂ is not required. It can grow in low-tech setups, though CO₂ will enhance growth.

Q2. Can Anubias Nana grow in low light?
Yes, it thrives in low-light conditions, making it ideal for beginners.

Q3. How do I propagate Anubias Nana?
By dividing the rhizome into smaller sections, each with at least 3–4 leaves.

Q4. Why is my Anubias Nana turning yellow?
Likely due to nutrient deficiency, especially iron. Consider adding liquid fertilizers.

Q5. Can I plant Anubias Nana in the substrate?
Yes, but the rhizome must remain above the substrate to avoid rot.

Q6. Is Anubias Nana good for shrimp tanks?
Yes, it provides shelter and surface area for biofilm, which shrimp love to graze on.

Q7. How fast does Anubias Nana grow?
It is a slow grower, typically producing 1–2 leaves per month under good conditions.

Q8. Can goldfish live with Anubias Nana?
Goldfish may nibble or uproot the plant, so they are not the best companions.

Q9. What is the difference between Anubias Nana and Anubias Nana Petite?
Nana Petite is a smaller cultivar, growing only a few centimeters tall, perfect for nano tanks.

Q10. How long does Anubias Nana live?
With proper care, Anubias Nana can live for many years, often outlasting other aquarium plants.