Anubias barteri
Barter's Anubias
Scientific Classification
Kingdom:Plantae
Phylum:Tracheophytes
Class:Liliopsida
Order:Alismatales
Family:Araceae
Genus:Anubias
Species:barteri
IUCN Status:Least Concern
Quick Stats
Difficulty
Easy
Environment
Freshwater
Temperature
22°C - 28°C
pH Level
6 - 8
Water Hardness
36 - 268 ppm
Growth
Very Slow
Lighting
Low - Medium
Max Height
5-45 cm
Placement
Midground
CO2 Requirements
None
Water Flow
Low Flow
Aquarium Building Information
Max Height
5-45 cm
Placement
Midground
Lighting
Low - Medium
Growth
Very Slow
CO2 Requirements
None
Water Flow
Low Flow
Substrate
None
Attachment Method
hardscape
Oxygen Production
Low
Waste reduction
Low
About This Species
Basic Description
Barter's Anubias is a fantastic choice for anyone new to aquariums, often called the 'plastic plant that grows.' It has thick, waxy, dark green leaves on a sturdy horizontal stem, known as a rhizome. It's incredibly tough and can handle a wide variety of water conditions, making it perfect for low-maintenance or beginner tanks. One of the most important things to know is how to plant it: you must not bury the rhizome in your sand or gravel. Doing so will cause it to rot and the plant will die. Instead, it needs to be attached to a piece of aquarium decor, like a rock or a piece of driftwood. You can easily do this using fishing line, cotton thread, or a small dab of aquarium-safe super glue. This plant grows very slowly, which is a big advantage as it requires almost no trimming. Its slow growth and tough leaves also mean that most plant-eating fish, like goldfish and some cichlids, tend to leave it alone. The main thing to watch out for is algae growing on its leaves. Because the leaves are around for a long time, they can become a surface for algae if the light is too bright. Placing it in a shadier part of your tank usually solves this problem. It can even produce a small, white flower underwater, which is a unique and rewarding sight.
Detailed Description
Anubias barteri is a cornerstone epiphyte in the freshwater aquarium hobby, valued for its hardiness, aesthetic appeal, and minimal care requirements. Its morphology is defined by a thick, creeping rhizome from which tough, leathery leaves and wiry roots emerge. These roots are primarily for anchorage, gripping onto surfaces, while nutrient absorption occurs through both the roots and leaves directly from the water column. This is why burying the rhizome is fatal; it suffocates this vital organ, leading to bacterial rot. For propagation, the rhizome can be carefully divided using a sharp, sterile blade. Ensure each new section has at least three to four healthy leaves and a solid portion of rhizome to guarantee its survival and promote new growth. In an aquascape, Anubias barteri excels as a midground element. Its bold texture and deep green coloration create a powerful contrast against fine-leaved stem plants or soft mosses. It's perfect for softening the hard lines of rocks and driftwood, creating a natural-looking transition between the hardscape and the open water. Its slow growth rate means it won't overgrow its designated space, making it a reliable structural plant. While it does not require supplemental CO2 or high-intensity lighting, its growth, while still slow, becomes more robust with the addition of a comprehensive liquid fertilizer. This helps prevent potential nutrient deficiencies, which can manifest as yellowing leaves (chlorosis). The species A. barteri is actually a group that contains several popular varieties, each offering a different size and leaf shape. These include the diminutive Anubias barteri var. nana, the uniquely textured var. 'coffeefolia' with its ridged leaves, and the more slender-leaved var. glabra. This diversity allows hobbyists to choose the perfect Anubias for any size tank or design. A noteworthy characteristic is its ability to flower while fully submerged, producing a creamy white spathe and spadix, a trait typical of its Araceae family lineage. This event, while not leading to seed production in aquaria, is a clear sign of a healthy, well-established plant.
Scientific Description
Anubias barteri is a species of semi-aquatic flowering plant within the family Araceae. Native to West African river systems, it exhibits a rheophytic lifestyle, adapted to attaching to solid substrates in areas of moving water. Its classification in the order Alismatales places it among a diverse group of monocots adapted to aquatic environments. The plant's remarkable tolerance to a wide range of water chemistry can be attributed to several physiological adaptations. Its ability to thrive in alkaline conditions (up to pH 8.0) is partly due to its capacity for bicarbonate utilization as a carbon source, a less efficient process than assimilating gaseous CO2, which contributes to its characteristically slow metabolic rate (Growth Speed 1). This slow metabolism is an evolutionary strategy for survival in its native low-light, often nutrient-poor (oligotrophic) habitats. The tough, leathery leaves possess a thick, waxy cuticle, providing a formidable defense against herbivory. However, this same characteristic makes the long-lived leaves an ideal substrate for colonization by epiphytic algae and other microorganisms, especially under lighting conditions that exceed the plant's photosynthetic capacity. The prominent rhizome is a critical organ for carbohydrate storage, enabling the plant to endure periods of environmental stress. The adventitious roots that grow from it are primarily for anchorage (haptophytes), distinguishing its epiphytic nature from substrate-rooted macrophytes. The reproductive biology of A. barteri is notable. While it can produce a characteristic aroid inflorescence (spathe and spadix) underwater, pollination in situ is virtually non-existent, as it relies on emergent conditions and specific pollinators in its natural habitat. Commercial propagation is therefore overwhelmingly achieved through vegetative means, primarily in-vitro tissue culture (micropropagation). This not only allows for the mass production of disease-free specimens but also the selection and cloning of desirable cultivars such as 'nana' or 'coffeefolia'. Its IUCN Red List status of 'Least Concern' (LC) reflects a widespread and stable wild population, although localized threats from habitat degradation persist.
