Anubias Pangolino Care Guide: The Tiniest Anubias for Nano Tanks

If you have ever wished regular anubias came in miniature, Anubias barteri var. ‘Pangolino’ is the answer. With leaves barely 1 cm long, it is widely regarded as the smallest commercially available anubias — a true jewel for nano aquascapes. This anubias pangolino care guide from Gensou Aquascaping at 5 Everton Park, Singapore, covers the surprisingly easy care requirements of this diminutive plant and how to get the most from it in a small tank.

What Makes Pangolino Unique

Pangolino produces dark green, spoon-shaped leaves that measure 0.5-1.5 cm in length on short petioles. Mature rhizomes creep at roughly 1-2 cm per month, making it one of the slowest-growing aquarium plants in the hobby. Its scale suits nano tanks of 10-30 litres perfectly, where a standard Anubias nana would look oversized. Each tiny leaf carries the same thick, waxy texture characteristic of all anubias, giving it a robust feel despite its size.

Placement and Attachment

Never bury the rhizome in substrate — this causes rot and kills the plant within weeks. Instead, attach Pangolino to small stones, driftwood or textured hardscape using super glue gel (cyanoacrylate) or cotton thread. The gel method is fastest: apply a thin bead to the hardscape, press the rhizome into it and hold for ten seconds. The glue cures instantly underwater and is completely fish and shrimp safe once set. Position the plant in the midground or foreground, where its diminutive scale can be appreciated up close.

Lighting Requirements

Pangolino tolerates low to moderate light — 20-50 PAR at the substrate level is sufficient. High light does not speed growth meaningfully but does encourage algae to colonise the slow-growing leaves, which is the primary enemy of all anubias species. If your tank runs a high-output LED for carpet plants, position Pangolino in a shaded spot beneath driftwood or taller plants. In Singapore’s nano tank scene, the popular Twinstar and Chihiros LED units at 30-40% intensity work well for an anubias-focused layout.

Water Parameters

Like all anubias, Pangolino is undemanding. It thrives across pH 6.0-8.0, GH 2-15 and temperatures of 22-28 °C. Singapore’s PUB tap water suits it without modification. CO2 injection is not required but does accelerate growth slightly — from painfully slow to merely slow. If you run CO2, keep levels at 15-25 ppm. Without CO2, the plant still grows perfectly well; just adjust your expectations. Liquid fertiliser dosed once or twice a week at half the recommended rate provides sufficient nutrients, since uptake through anubias leaves is limited.

Algae Prevention

Algae on Pangolino leaves is the most common complaint. Black beard algae (BBA), green spot algae (GSA) and diatoms all target the slow-growing surfaces. Prevention is far easier than cure. Keep lighting periods to 6-8 hours daily, maintain phosphate levels above 0.5 ppm (low phosphate encourages GSA), and ensure good water circulation around the plant. A clean-up crew of nerite snails, amano shrimp (Caridina multidentata) or otocinclus catfish helps keep leaves clear. If BBA appears, spot-treat with a syringe of liquid carbon (Excel or equivalent) applied directly during a water change.

Propagation

Pangolino propagates by rhizome division. Once a rhizome section has at least five or six leaves, you can cut it with a sharp blade and attach the new piece elsewhere. Sterilise the blade with rubbing alcohol beforehand to prevent bacterial infection. Growth is so slow that division opportunities arise perhaps once or twice a year for a single plant. Patience is essential — rushing propagation by cutting too small a section often results in both halves dying back.

Pricing and Sourcing in Singapore

Pangolino commands a premium due to its slow growth and high demand. Expect to pay $8-15 for a small portion with three to five leaves at local aquascaping shops or online via Shopee and Carousell. Tissue culture cups, when available, offer pest-free and algae-free starts at $12-18. Check that the rhizome is firm and green, not mushy or brown, before purchasing. A soft rhizome indicates rot and the plant will not recover.

Design Ideas

Pangolino shines when used to add fine detail to hardscape. Attach clusters along the edges of dragon stone to mimic moss-like growth. Pair it with fissidens moss and Bucephalandra for a textural trio that requires no substrate planting. In iwagumi-adjacent layouts, a single Pangolino on a foreground stone adds a focal point without disrupting the minimalist aesthetic. For nano aquascaping design assistance, the team at Gensou Aquascaping draws on over 20 years of experience creating planted layouts for Singapore homes and offices.

Related Reading

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• Anubias Barteri var. Glabra Care Guide: Narrow Lance-Shaped Leaves
• How to Propagate Anubias Nana Petite: Rhizome Division Guide
• Anubias Coffeefolia Care Guide: Textured Leaves Like Coffee
• Anubias Hastifolia Care Guide: The Largest Aquarium Anubias