Anubias barteri

About This Species

Basic Description

Barter's Anubias is a popular and very hardy aquarium plant, perfect for beginners. Instead of burying it in the substrate, you should attach its thick root-like stem, called a rhizome, to rocks or driftwood using fishing line or glue. It's an excellent choice for the middle areas of your tank and is very forgiving, as it's highly adaptable to a wide range of water conditions and doesn't require strong lighting or CO2 injection. Its dark green, sturdy leaves add beautiful contrast and texture to any aquascape.

Detailed Description

Native to West Africa, Anubias barteri is exceptionally resilient. Its slow growth rate means it requires minimal maintenance and trimming. However, this slow pace makes its broad leaves susceptible to algae growth, especially under intense lighting. To mitigate this, place it in shaded areas or under floating plants. The key to its survival is ensuring the rhizome remains above the substrate to prevent rot. It primarily absorbs nutrients from the water column through its roots and is an ideal candidate for attaching to hardscape, where its roots can anchor over time.

Scientific Description

A member of the Araceae family, *Anubias barteri* is a monocotyledonous plant characterized by a creeping rhizome. Its slow metabolism is evident in its minimal oxygen output, low nutrient absorption, and lack of a CO2 requirement, which allows it to thrive in low-tech setups. In its natural riverbank habitats, it often grows emersed or semi-emersed, explaining its preference for low-flow conditions and its adaptation for rhizoidal attachment to hardscape rather than deep substrate rooting. This morphology and physiology make it remarkably tolerant of a wide range of water chemistry.