Among aquarists, Anubias Barteri Aquarium Plant is deservedly considered one of the most exquisite and beautiful aquarium plants. In expressiveness and elegance, it can be compared with an orchid, spathiphyllum or calla lily. This handsome aquarium is more like an indoor culture than an underwater culture. It’s all to blame for the luxurious glossy texture of the sheet plates.
The plant is recommended for cultivation only by experienced aquascapers. Beginners are better off starting from scratch. Anubias are incredibly demanding on grooming manipulations, conditions of detention and belong to an expensive price segment. But with proper care, it will become a bright accent in an aquarium or greenhouse.
- Temperature: 22-28 ° C
- Rigidity :dGh 2-15 ° C
- Acidity :pH 5.5-8.0
- Complexity of content: Average
- Plant height up to 60 cm.
- Plant width up to 25 cm.
- Demanding for light: light-loving plant, recommended lighting with a duration of 12 hours
- Reproduction: By cuttings
- Growth rate: Slow
- CO2 supply: Mandatory
Table of Contents
Anubias Barteri aquarium plant
The genus Anubias, belonging to the Aroid family, unites about 10 species. Many of the varieties have been domesticated and are successfully bred in paludariums and home herbalists.
Despite the fact that the first description of anubias was made about 1.5 centuries ago, the morphological features of its inflorescences are still poorly understood. So, the mechanism of natural pollination for scientists is still a mystery.
The plant was named “Anubias Barteri” in honor of Charles Barter, a botanist from Scotland.
A researcher in 1857 studied the flora of the African river Niger, but this fascinating journey led him to death. A few years later, his Austrian colleague Heinrich Schott named one of the Anubias species after his Scottish associate. Therefore, in some transcriptions, this plant is referred to as Anubias barteri Schott.
Anubias Barteri, expanding, forms a lush cascade of strong leaves of rich green color. All representatives of this species expressively contrast with delicate aquarium cultures due to their interesting texture and excellent decorative effect.
Anubias Barteri Plant Varieties
Breeders distinguish 7 varieties of Anibuas Barter.
Morphological Anubias Barteri characteristics:
- Anubias barteri var. Nana . A dwarf version of a plant loved by aquarists. The height of this hybrid does not exceed 15 cm, but in beauty it is not inferior to its life-size counterparts. The leaf plates are neat ovoid, dark emerald in color.
- Anubias barteri var . Barteri . One of the most common varieties. The average plant height is about 20 cm, less often the stem stretches up to 30 cm, the width of the bush is 15 cm. The leaf plates are asymmetric, arrow-shaped, neatly organized into a rosette.
- Anubias barteri var . Glabra . “Naked” Anubias, the largest of its kind. It reaches a height of 30 cm or more. The leaves of this “giant” are found both in the form of an ellipse and an egg. Their color is interesting – the predominant green color is diluted with original pigment spots.
- Anubias barteri Broad leaf . This broad-leaved variation of anubis is distinguished by its large size and large arrow-shaped or heart-shaped leaves up to 20 cm long.The average height of the bush is 25 cm.
- Anubias barteri var . Angustifolia . Compared to other varieties, the leaves of the plant are rather narrow, and this feature has led to the Latin version of the name – Angustifolia, which means “narrow-leaved”. If in an aquarium the plant reaches no more than 15 cm in length, then in a greenhouse the stem is stretched up to 40 cm.
- Anubias barteri var. Caladiifolia . A beautiful ornamental variety of anubias – “Kofeynolistny”. The reference to the coffee tree is not accidental. Plants are similar to each other in the structure of pointed leaf plates and a deep cut. The average plant height in aquarium conditions is 25 cm.
- Anubias barteri Variegated . The term “speckled” in the title is not accidental. This variety of anubias is distinguished by the presence of light spots on the emerald leaves.
Regardless of the variety, all Anubias have one characteristic feature: the ear, hidden in a glossy blanket, that stands out clearly during the flowering period.
Anubias Barteri Habitat
The homeland of Anubias is Africa. There are not many plants with African ancestry among aquarium cultures. For example, krinum, Bolbitis Gedeloti fern, and a number of long-stemmed glasses. Therefore, it can be safely called a worthy representative of this continent. Prefers mangroves, swamps, and rocks located by streams. It grows both immersed and airy.
Anubias Barteri plant care and growing
Anubias Barteri is a frequent visitor to home freshwater aquariums. Although there is an opinion among lovers of underwater flora that it is not suitable for keeping in water. To refute this judgment, it is enough to remember that there are not so many exclusively aquatic plants, like Elodea, for example.
Most of the aquarium jungle consists of amphibians that grow in both air and water. Therefore, they can be grown not only in tanks but also in greenhouses and paludariums.
General Anubias Barteri care instructions:
- The best placement option is a tropical aquarium.
- The landing plan depends on the type of Anubias. “Broadleaf”, for example, is planted in the background or central plan, “Kofeynolistny” – on the front or middle, “Dwarf” – on the front or middle.
- Plants are grown both as single bushes and in groups. The first option is suitable for long-stemmed Anubias. But it should be borne in mind that the growth rate is low, and it will take a long time to wait for new shoots.
- Since Anubias have a long acclimatization period, it is undesirable to often replant bushes.
- The plant reaches its peak of decorativeness in a humid greenhouse.
The plant blooms both submerged and airy.
OPTIMAL WATER PERFORMANCE
All Anubias love a clean aquatic environment. With an excessive concentration of organic matter, they overgrow with algae, which adversely affects the life of the plant.
Hydrochemical indicators:
- temperature – 22-28 ° С;
- total hardness – 2-15 ° dH;
- pH – 5.5-8.0.
Traditionally, a weekly change of 25% of the total water is desirable.
LIGHTING REQUIREMENTS
This African culture prefers shade. This feature is dictated by the growth in shaded areas in Africa. Under bright light, the shape of the leaves is deformed, and the rich green color is transformed into an emerald blue.
- The recommended power of lighting devices is up to 0.5 W per 1 liter.
- The optimal exposure period is up to 12 hours.
Anubias should be planted in the vicinity of light-loving crops that will create much-needed shade. To organize the upper scattered light, you need to purchase a tall aquarium.
GROUND REQUIREMENTS
The root system of these plants is quite powerful, so they draw most of the useful elements from the soil.
The popular Tetra Complete Substrate can be used as a nutrient substrate. This top dressing is a mineral soil suitable even for paludarium cultivation.
THE NEED FOR FEEDING
When growing Anubias Barteri in an aquarium, it is important to remember one simple rule: if there are fish in the tank, the plant does not need to be fed. If the underwater world is represented exclusively by flora, fertilizers must be applied.
Anubias Barteri plant propagation
Anubias Barteri, like most aquarium crops, propagate by cuttings. From the mother bush, it is necessary to pinch off the root or lateral process, on which at least 3 leaves have formed, and transplant to a new place. Nutritional supplements can be added to the soil before planting.
Anubias Barteri useful tips
In order for Anubias Barteri to demonstrate its best decorative qualities, we recommend using the advice of experienced aquarists:
- The main pest of these plants is blue-green algae. Even a slight plaque on the leaves is evidence that parasitic species of lower aquatic plants have settled in the aquarium, leading to death of Anubias. Therefore, you should be extremely careful with the application of fertilizers that stimulate growth.
- The leaf plates of these plants are rigid, which allows them to be kept together with cichlids.
- The main pathology affecting anubiasis is the decay of the growth point. If the plant is affected by gray mold, it should be removed from the reservoir.
- With the help of these plants you can advantageously decorate the “street”. Anubias “Kofeynolistny” is especially good in this quality.
- Among the 7 varieties in aquarium conditions, Anubias “Dwarf” grows better than others.
