Anubias sagittae

Arrowhead Anubias

About This Species

Basic Description

The Arrowhead Anubias, also known as Forest Anubias, is a fantastic choice for anyone new to planted aquariums. Its name comes from the distinct arrow shape of its deep green, leathery leaves. This plant is incredibly tough and forgiving, making it perfect for beginners. One of the most important things to know is how to 'plant' it. Unlike many other aquarium plants, you should never bury its thick horizontal stem (the rhizome) in the gravel or sand, as this will cause it to rot. Instead, you should attach it to a piece of driftwood or a rock using cotton thread, fishing line, or aquarium-safe super glue. Because it grows very slowly, it doesn't require much light, fertilizer, or any special care, and it pulls the few nutrients it needs directly from the water column. This slow growth also means you won't have to trim it often. Its hardy leaves are a major bonus, as they are tough enough to discourage most plant-eating fish, like certain cichlids and goldfish, from taking a bite. It's an excellent, low-maintenance plant that adds a lush, natural feel to any freshwater tank.

Detailed Description

Anubias sagittae is a highly valued plant among aquascaping hobbyists for its robust structure and aesthetic appeal. Its common name, 'Arrowhead Anubias,' aptly describes its leaf morphology, which features a sagittate lamina with two distinct basal lobes. These leaves are thick, waxy, and a deep, rich green, sprouting from a tough, creeping rhizome. In aquascaping, it serves as an excellent midground element. Its potential height of up to 40 cm allows it to fill vertical space, create focal points, and effectively hide aquarium hardware like filter intakes or heaters. Its slow growth rate is a significant advantage in low-tech, long-term aquascapes, as it maintains its shape and size for months without pruning, unlike fast-growing stem plants that require constant maintenance. For propagation, the plant can be easily multiplied by carefully cutting the rhizome into sections with a sharp, sterile blade. Ensure each new section has at least three to four healthy leaves and some attached roots to give it the best chance of establishing itself. While it thrives in low light and without CO2 injection, providing a balanced liquid fertilizer can promote more robust, vibrant growth and may even encourage the plant to flower. This underwater inflorescence, a small, cream-colored spadix surrounded by a greenish spathe, is a sign of a healthy, mature plant, though it's an infrequent sight in a submersed environment. A common issue to be aware of is algae growth on the surface of its leaves, which is a consequence of its slow growth. To mitigate this, place it in an area of the tank with lower light intensity and gentle water flow, and consider introducing algae-eating inhabitants like Amano shrimp or otocinclus catfish.

Scientific Description

Anubias sagittae is a flowering plant species within the Araceae family, native to the tropical forest streams of West Africa. Its classification as a 'Least Concern' (LC) species by the IUCN indicates a stable and widespread population in its natural habitat. Morphologically, the plant is characterized by its thick, creeping rhizome that firmly anchors to hard surfaces via adventitious roots. The leaves, borne on long petioles, exhibit a distinct sagittate shape with an acute apex and a cordate base. Its physiological adaptations make it exceptionally resilient in aquarium settings. As a shade-dwelling rheophyte, it has a very low light compensation point, allowing it to photosynthesize effectively in low-light conditions. This is coupled with a slow metabolic rate, which explains its minimal demand for CO2 and nutrients, its slow growth, and correspondingly low oxygen output. The provided 'bioloadreduction' value of 3.0, likely on a relative scale, accurately reflects this low metabolic activity; its contribution to nutrient sequestration (nitrate, phosphate) is minimal compared to fast-growing species. Its primary benefit to the aquarium's ecosystem is providing vast surface area on its leaves and rhizome for the colonization of beneficial nitrifying bacteria. A key defensive mechanism is the presence of microscopic calcium oxalate crystals (raphides) within its leaf tissue. This compound makes the leaves unpalatable to most herbivores, a common trait in the Araceae family. While its natural habitat can include high-flow riverbanks where it grows emersed, the recommendation for 'lowflow' in aquaria is to prevent the large leaves from collecting detritus and to reduce the likelihood of opportunistic algae, such as Black Brush Algae, from taking hold. Sexual reproduction is via a characteristic aroid inflorescence (spathe and spadix), but in a submersed state, pollination is virtually impossible. Therefore, propagation in horticulture is exclusively vegetative, achieved through rhizome division.