Anubias barteri var. nana

Anubias barteri var. nana is one of the most slow-growing aquarium plants. Anubias barteri is a whole family of similar anubias species, including Anubias barteri var. nana (other names: Anubias nana, dwarf Anubias), which is the most common among hobbyists. It has gained such popularity because of its small size. Most anubias species are quite large. For example ordinary Anubias barteri (Anubias barteri var. barteri) can grow up to 50 cm tall. Anubias nana usually grows no more than 15 cm tall and size of its leaves is typically less than 7 cm long or more usually 3-4 cm.

Another small representative of genus Anubias is Anubias barteri var. nana “petite” (another name: Anubias “Bonsai”). This plant is even smaller than Anubias nana. Its leaf size is less than 3 cm in length. Currently this is a very rare variety of Anubias and will remain so for a long time due to the fact that it's growing even more slowly than Anubias nana. Photo below shows the difference in size between these two species.

The leaves of Anubias species grow from the rhizome and its length increases with each newly grown leaf. Under the good conditions each new leaf grows bigger than the previous one. It should be considered when setting up a composition, because in aquascaping, it's more common to use the plants with smaller leaves. There is a trick, however, that helps to prevent the growth of very large leaves of Anubias nana. If the leaves start to grow too large, you need to cut the rhizome near the growing point. After that, the new rhizomes branch out from the main one and new growth tips will form smaller leaves. As a result, Anubias bush grows more lush with leaves about 3 cm long. It also accelerates growth rate of the plant. If you want to propagate Anubias in the aquarium just clip off the growth tips when they have at least three or four leaves. This is how Anubias propagates in its natural habitat (aside from the seeds). Animals trample rhizome thus separating it and initiating the growth of the new tips.

This plant can be used in the midground of the aquascape. It's often used as a focal point in the layout since it significantly differs from the appearance of many other aquatic plants used in aquascaping. Anubias petite can be used in aquascaping together with Anubias nana, by placing it a little further from the Anubias nana. Thus creating the illusion of perspective as it is done with stones. Anubias can be placed between rocks or tied to driftwood. It's not necessary to plant them in the substrate because this plant easily attaches itself to any object.

Anubias barteri var. nana and Anubias barteri var. nana “petite” are very undemanding plants. It does well without CO2 and fertilizers. But do not forget about the optimal pH level for the aquarium plants: 6 -7. It's necessary to keep CO2 concentration at the level of at least 3.5 mg/l, in order to maintain such pH level. Daily injection of soda in the aquarium may very well be enough to achieve this level, while weekly water changes can provide all the necessary nutrients for Anubias. Due to its slow growth rate it needs only small portion of nutrients.