Aquascaping With Anubias Only: Timeless and Indestructible
This aquascape Anubias only guide shows you how to create a lush, enduring planted tank using nothing but one of the hardiest genera in the hobby. At Gensou Aquascaping at 5 Everton Park, Singapore, we have built several Anubias-exclusive displays and can confirm that the results are striking, low-maintenance and perfect for hobbyists who want greenery without the fuss of demanding stem plants.
Why Anubias Works as a Solo Plant
Anubias is one of the few aquatic plants that thrives in almost any condition. It tolerates low to high light, does not require CO2 injection, grows in a wide pH range and is unpalatable to most herbivorous fish. Its thick, waxy leaves come in a variety of shapes and sizes, from the tiny coin-shaped Anubias nana petite to the broad, paddle-like Anubias barteri. This diversity means you can create genuine visual depth and texture using Anubias alone, without the tank looking monotonous. In Singapore’s warm climate, Anubias grows steadily year-round without seasonal slowdowns.
Varieties to Include
Building variety into an Anubias-only scape depends on choosing different species and cultivars. Anubias nana is the workhorse, with small oval leaves ideal for midground coverage. Anubias nana petite has even smaller leaves and creates a carpet-like effect when attached densely to flat stones. Anubias barteri provides large statement leaves for the background. Anubias coffeefolia features distinctive ribbed, coffee-coloured new growth that adds textural contrast. Anubias lanceolata offers narrow, elongated leaves that break up the rounded shapes of other varieties. Mixing five or six cultivars gives you a palette rich enough to fill any tank convincingly.
Hardscape Foundation
Since Anubias attaches to surfaces rather than rooting in substrate, your hardscape is the structural backbone of the aquascape. Driftwood and stone are equally effective. Spiderwood branches create a natural, organic framework with plenty of nooks for attaching rhizomes. Dragon stone or seiryu stone provides a more structured, geological feel. Arrange the hardscape first, considering the rule of thirds and creating height variation from front to back. Leave deliberate gaps and crevices where Anubias can be tucked in to soften the hard edges of rock and wood.
Attaching Anubias Properly
The most important rule with Anubias is never to bury the rhizome in substrate. The rhizome is the thick horizontal stem from which leaves and roots emerge. If buried, it will rot. Instead, attach the plant to hardscape using cotton thread, super glue gel or fishing line. Super glue gel is the fastest method: apply a small dab to the rhizome or root area, press it against dry rock or wood for 30 seconds, and it bonds securely. Over time, the roots will grip the surface naturally and the glue becomes invisible. For large Anubias barteri specimens, use two or three attachment points to keep the plant stable as it grows.
Layout and Composition
Place larger varieties like Anubias barteri and coffeefolia in the background and along the upper portions of tall driftwood. Use Anubias nana in the midground to fill spaces between rocks and along the base of wood structures. Reserve Anubias nana petite for the foreground and for detailed areas where you want a dense, manicured look. Create clusters rather than spacing plants evenly; natural growth patterns are rarely uniform. Allow some hardscape to remain bare for visual breathing room. The contrast between dark rock or wood and bright green Anubias leaves is one of the style’s greatest strengths.
Lighting and CO2 Considerations
Anubias is famously tolerant of low light, which makes it ideal for setups without high-powered fixtures. A moderate LED providing 30 to 50 micromoles of PAR at the substrate level is sufficient. Too much light without corresponding CO2 encourages algae growth on the slow-growing leaves, a common issue in Singapore where hobbyists sometimes overlight their tanks. If you choose not to inject CO2, keep light intensity on the lower end and limit the photoperiod to six to eight hours daily. Liquid carbon supplements like Seachem Flourish Excel can provide a mild carbon boost without the complexity of a pressurised system.
Managing Algae on Anubias Leaves
The primary maintenance challenge in an Anubias-only tank is algae, particularly green spot algae and black beard algae that colonise the slow-growing leaves. Maintain a clean-up crew of Nerite snails, Otocinclus catfish or Amano shrimp to graze on algae before it becomes established. During water changes, gently wipe leaves with your fingers or a soft cloth to remove any film. If algae persists, reduce lighting duration or intensity as a first step. Consistent water changes of 20 to 30 per cent weekly help keep nutrient levels balanced and discourage algae outbreaks.
Getting Started in Singapore
Anubias varieties are among the most readily available aquatic plants in Singapore. Local fish shops along the Clementi corridor and online sellers on Carousell stock a wide range of species at prices from SGD 3 for a small Anubias nana to SGD 15 or more for a mature Anubias barteri specimen. Building an Anubias-only aquascape is one of the most affordable and forgiving ways to enter planted tank keeping. Visit Gensou Aquascaping at 5 Everton Park for help selecting varieties, designing your layout and getting your Anubias tank thriving from day one.
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