A Quick Introduction to the Anubias Barteri Plant
Are you looking to add some flora to your aquarium?
In that case, Anubias Barteri plant is an excellent choice. Naturally found in West Africa, this plant is undemanding in nature and grows to be 25-45 cm tall. The plant has very tough and robust leaves which keep herbivorous fish far away from it.
This plant is quite popular with fish keepers and does well in tropical as well as coldwater goldfish tanks. The plant is low-maintenance while being beautiful at the same time.
In this article, we will go through everything you need to know about the Anubias Barteri plant.
Let’s get started!
What is the Anubias Plant? Where was it from originally?
The genus, Anubias, is part of the Araceae family which is originally from central and western Africa. The Anubias Barteri Plant is a tough little aquatic plant that has been farm raised in the United States of America. This plant is part of the amphibious group, which means that it can be entirely or partially submerged in water and survive just fine.
What To Look For When Looking to Buy the Anubias Plant
There are a couple of different ways in which you can purchase your very own Anubias Barteri plant.
You can commonly find this plant being sold as a bare root plant that has been taken right from the gravel. You may even come across it potted in a plastic container or attached to other decorative accessories such as driftwood, lava rock, suction cup, etc.
When you’re looking to buy this plant, you should choose one that has a thick rhizome, lush green leaves, and healthy roots.
Steer clear if the plant has broken, cracked, or unhealthy leaves. Plants that have a visible growth of algae on them aren’t a good idea either.
The Various Varieties of the Anubias Aquatic Plant
When you’re going out to get yourself an Anubias Barteri plant, the chances are that you’ll also come across a few other common Anubis varieties.
You can find the plant marked as “Anubias Barteri var. Barteri” in some places. The
“Var.” stands for the specific variety of the plant. You may also come across some of the most common types of the plant which include:
Anubias Barteri Glabra
Anubias Barteri Caladiifolia
Anubias Barteri Round Leaf
Anubias Barteri Barteri
How to Take Care of the Anubias Barteri Plant
One of the best things about the Anubias Barteri plant is the fact that it is easy to take care of. There are three broad areas that you need to cover when looking to care for your plant:
The planting method
Lighting needs
Water parameters
Since this plant is relatively easy to take care of, it is an excellent choice for people that are just starting out.
This plant does well in tanks of all shapes and sizes.
Water and the Anubias Barteri Plant
The Anubias Barteri plant us easy to take care of because it can survive in the harshest water qualities.
The plant does well in an aquarium pH between 6.5 – 7.8 and a water temperature between 72 – 78 degrees Fahrenheit. The plant does well in small as well as large tanks which is awesome.
The Anubias Barteri and Lighting Conditions
The plant has relatively simple lighting needs which makes it a low-maintenance one.
This plant can thrive in low as well as higher levels of light.
In tanks that have a low level of light, the plant will take its time to grow
Tanks with higher lighting conditions allow the plant to grow more quickly; however, they also promote the growth of algae on its leaves
Planting Your Anubias Barteri Plant
One of the best things about this plant is the fact that it can grow in the aquarium substrate, driftwood, aquarium gravel, and decorations.
The plant does best when you attach it to the driftwood or porous rocks. It also does well in the nutrient-rich substrate.
It is crucial that you do not bury the rhizome completely. You should ensure that the rhizome is on top of the substrate instead.
Sometimes you will need to tie your Anubias Plant so that it isn’t all over your tank.
- How to properly tie your Anubias Barteri Plant:
- First, purchase some fishing line, the plant (make sure it is healthy), find some scissors and choose the rock, driftwood, or décor piece you want to tie it to (lava rocks work well).
- Next, place the plant on the piece in a way that you find desirable. Use the fishing line to tie the plant to the piece in that particular Do not tighten the line too much, nor leave it loose enough for the plant to detach once it is in the water.
- Using the scissors, remove any extra length of fishing line once your plant is secure. The extra length of the fishing line can pose a danger to your aquarium’s inhabitants.
- Finally, place the piece and the plant inside the tank, carefully, as not to damage any other plants, fish, or décor. Once your plant has taken root inside the décor, lava rock or driftwood then you can feel confident about removing the fishing line.
Who can benefit from the Plant?
These plants would do exceptionally well in an aquarium with:
- Snails and other algae eaters: algae are bound to develop eventually, and an aquarium with these helpful creatures will thrive and the creatures will too!
- Shy fish: if you have a couple of fish that prefer to be alone or are new then they may find comfort hiding under the Anubias’s big arrow-shaped
- Goldfish: Goldfish are omnivores and usually will eat anything in sight. However, they are less likely to eat this plant as the leaves are too tough for them. So, your tank will look great, your plant will be safe, and if you provide a few tender plants, then your goldfish will be happy as well.
- Turtles: while this plant is too tough for fish, it is a perfect munching plant for turtles and similar aquatic animals.
Summing Up: the Anubias Barteri Plant
The Anubias Barteri plant is easy to take care of plant which makes it an excellent choice for beginner hobbyists.
This plant is natively found in the tropical regions of West Africa and has found its way into various aquariums across the world because of its resilience, easy requirements, and good looks.
You can find various varieties of the plant on the market.
The Anubias Barteri plant does well in an aquarium pH between 6.5 – 7.8 and a water temperature between 72 – 78 degrees Fahrenheit.
Do you have any questions or concerns? Let us know in the comments, and we’ll get back to you as soon as we can.