Anubias Hastifolia Care Guide: The Largest Aquarium Anubias

While most aquarists know Anubias barteri and its compact varieties, Anubias hastifolia is the towering giant of the genus — capable of producing arrow-shaped leaves over 30 cm long on thick, woody rhizomes. This anubias hastifolia care guide from Gensou Aquascaping at 5 Everton Park, Singapore, explains how to place, light, and maintain this impressive species without the algae problems that plague so many Anubias keepers. For large tanks that need a bold, low-maintenance centrepiece plant, A. hastifolia delivers like few others.

Plant Profile

Anubias hastifolia is native to tropical West Africa, where it grows along riverbanks both submerged and emersed. The leaves are distinctively hastate — elongated with pointed lobes at the base, somewhat resembling a spearhead. Under water, mature leaves are thick, leathery, and dark green with a slight waxy sheen. The rhizome grows horizontally and can reach 2-3 cm in diameter over time. Growth rate is extremely slow, typically producing one new leaf every 3-5 weeks even under optimal conditions.

Tank Size and Placement

Given that individual leaves can exceed 30 cm, this plant belongs in tanks of 200 litres or larger. Place it in the midground or background, attached to large pieces of driftwood or rock. Never bury the rhizome in substrate — this causes rot, which is the single most common mistake with all Anubias species. Use superglue gel (cyanoacrylate) or fishing line to secure the rhizome to hardscape. Over several months, the roots will grip firmly on their own.

Lighting Requirements

Low to moderate lighting suits A. hastifolia perfectly. Aim for 20-40 PAR at the leaf surface. Excessive light does not accelerate growth — instead, it encourages algae colonisation on the slow-growing leaves. In a tall tank, placing the plant lower in the scape where light intensity is naturally reduced works well. If your tank runs high light for demanding foreground plants, position A. hastifolia in the shadow of taller hardscape or floating plants.

Water Parameters and CO2

This plant tolerates a wide range of conditions: pH 6.0-8.0, GH 3-15, and temperatures of 22-28 °C. CO2 injection is not required but does produce slightly larger leaves and marginally faster growth. Singapore’s warm tap water, once dechlorinated, falls neatly within the acceptable range. In tanks without CO2, liquid carbon supplements like Seachem Excel or APT Fix can provide a modest boost — dose at the recommended rate to avoid melting sensitive neighbouring plants.

Fertilisation

As a slow grower, A. hastifolia has modest nutrient demands. A comprehensive liquid fertiliser dosed once or twice weekly supplies sufficient iron, potassium, and trace elements. Root tabs are unnecessary since the rhizome sits above the substrate. Signs of nutrient deficiency include yellowing of older leaves (nitrogen or potassium shortage) and pinhole deterioration (potassium deficiency). In Singapore, quality all-in-one fertilisers from APT, Tropica, and Seachem cost $15-25 per bottle and last months at standard dosing rates.

Algae Prevention

Algae on Anubias leaves is the number one complaint from keepers, and the large, slow-growing leaves of A. hastifolia are especially vulnerable. Green spot algae and black beard algae (BBA) are the usual culprits. Prevention is more effective than cure: keep lighting moderate, maintain consistent CO2 levels if injecting, and ensure phosphate does not drop to zero — contrary to old advice, low phosphate actually promotes green spot algae. A cleanup crew of nerite snails and Otocinclus catfish helps keep leaves clean. For existing BBA, spot-treat with diluted hydrogen peroxide applied directly with a syringe during a water change.

Propagation

Propagation is straightforward but slow. When the rhizome reaches 15-20 cm with at least 6-8 leaves, cut it into sections using a sharp, sterile blade. Each section needs a minimum of 3-4 leaves and a portion of healthy rhizome with visible root nodes. Attach the new section to hardscape and allow it to establish. Expect no new growth for 2-4 weeks as the plant recovers from the division. Avoid cutting too aggressively — small sections with only one or two leaves often fail to thrive.

Emersed Growth Option

In Singapore’s high humidity, A. hastifolia grows exceptionally well emersed in paludariums or open-top tanks where the rhizome sits at the waterline and leaves extend into the air. Emersed leaves are stiffer, lighter green, and completely algae-free — a significant advantage. Growth rate also increases noticeably above water, making emersed culture a practical way to propagate stock for your submerged tanks. Gensou Aquascaping has found that paludarium setups suit this species perfectly in our tropical climate.

Related Reading

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• How to Propagate Anubias Nana Petite: Rhizome Division Guide
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