Anubias afzelii

Lanceleaf Anubias

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About This Species

Basic Description

Lanceleaf Anubias is an incredibly hardy and slow-growing aquatic plant from West Africa, making it an excellent choice for beginner aquarists. Its care is remarkably simple because it does not require strong lighting, carbon dioxide injection, or a specialized substrate to thrive. In fact, this plant should not be buried in the gravel or sand at all. Instead, its thick, root-like base, known as a rhizome, must be attached to rocks or driftwood using string or aquarium-safe glue. This prevents the rhizome from rotting and allows the plant to absorb nutrients directly from the water. Due to its very slow growth, it requires minimal pruning and is less likely to be overgrown with algae in low-light conditions. Its tall, elegant leaves make it a perfect background plant, adding vertical structure and a lush green feel to the aquarium with very little effort.

Detailed Description

Lanceleaf Anubias, also known as Afzelius's Anubias, is a robust and highly adaptable plant prized in the aquarium hobby for its resilience and distinctive appearance. Native to the shaded streams and riverbanks of West Africa, it is well-suited to a variety of freshwater tank conditions. Its most critical care requirement relates to its rhizome—the thick, horizontal stem from which leaves and roots emerge. This rhizome must remain above the substrate; burying it will lead to decay and the eventual death of the plant. The preferred method for placement is attaching it to hardscape elements like driftwood or porous rocks. This can be accomplished using cotton thread (which will dissolve over time as the plant's roots take hold), fishing line, or a small amount of cyanoacrylate-based super glue.

This species is not demanding regarding its environment. It flourishes under low to medium lighting, and in fact, intense light can be detrimental, promoting the growth of algae on its slow-developing leaves. It has no need for supplemental CO₂ and obtains sufficient nutrients from fish waste and leftover food in the water column, making it ideal for low-tech setups. While an extremely slow grower, this trait is often seen as a benefit, as it requires virtually no maintenance or trimming. Its tough, leathery leaves are also a natural deterrent to most herbivorous fish and invertebrates. Capable of growing both fully submerged and emersed, Lanceleaf Anubias is also an excellent candidate for paludariums and terrariums where high humidity can be maintained. Its tall, lance-shaped leaves on long stems provide excellent cover for shy fish and create a striking vertical element in the aquascape, typically placed in the midground or background.

Scientific Description

Anubias afzelii is a validated species within the Araceae family, a group commonly known as aroids. The species name 'afzelii' honors Adam Afzelius, the 19th-century Swedish botanist who discovered it. Morphologically, the plant is characterized by a thick, dark green, creeping rhizome that can reach over a centimeter in diameter. This rhizome serves as the primary site for nutrient storage and vegetative propagation. From the rhizome, fibrous, wiry roots emerge, which function mainly for anchorage rather than nutrient absorption. The leaves are the plant's most notable feature; they are lanceolate (lance-shaped), giving the species its common name. Each leaf blade is simple, with a smooth margin and a tough, coriaceous (leathery) texture. They are borne on long, sturdy petioles that connect directly to the rhizome.

In its native habitat across West Africa, Anubias afzelii is a rheophytic and amphibious plant. It typically colonizes the banks of shaded, flowing forest streams and rivers. It can be found growing emersed on rocks and logs in the splash zone, or fully submerged for extended periods, particularly during rainy seasons. This ecological adaptation explains its success in both aquariums and paludariums. Its physiology is adapted to low-light, low-nutrient environments, resulting in a very slow metabolic rate, low oxygen production, and minimal nutrient uptake. This slow growth strategy, combined with its tough leaves, provides a robust defense against herbivory. As an aroid, it reproduces sexually via an inflorescence consisting of a spathe and spadix, though this is uncommon in submerged aquarium conditions. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has classified A. afzelii as 'Least Concern' (LC), indicating it is widespread and not facing significant threats in its natural range.

Reproduction Description

Propagating Lanceleaf Anubias is a simple and reliable process, making it highly accessible even for novice aquarists. The species primarily reproduces asexually in an aquarium setting through rhizome division. While it is capable of sexual reproduction by producing a flower (inflorescence), this is a rare event underwater, and growing new plants from seed is not a practical method for hobbyists.

The most effective propagation technique is to divide the rhizome. To do this, carefully remove the parent plant from the aquarium. Using a clean, sharp razor blade or scissors, cut the rhizome into several sections. It is crucial to ensure that each new piece has at least three to four healthy leaves and a small portion of the root system attached. This provides the new cutting with the best chance to establish itself quickly. Even a piece of rhizome without leaves may eventually sprout new growth, but the process will be significantly slower and less certain.

Successful propagation does not require any special environmental changes. The new divisions will thrive in the same stable water conditions as the parent plant, preferring low to medium light and a gentle water flow. Increased lighting or nutrient levels are unnecessary and can stress the new cuttings. After cutting the rhizome, attach the new plants to hardscape such as driftwood or rocks. Use cotton thread, fishing line, or aquarium-safe cyanoacrylate glue to secure the rhizome, ensuring it is not buried in the substrate, which would cause it to rot.

Be patient after planting the divisions. Due to the species' inherently slow growth rate, it may take several weeks or even a couple of months before you see new leaf or root development. The key to success is providing a stable environment and avoiding further disturbances while the plant establishes itself. Ensuring a clean cut and stable conditions will minimize the risk of fungal or bacterial issues on the exposed rhizome tissue.