Anubias Barteri Round Leaf Care Guide: Broad Circular Foliage

With its distinctive coin-shaped leaves and nearly indestructible nature, Anubias barteri var. round leaf is a staple plant that suits every skill level. This anubias barteri round leaf care guide from Gensou Aquascaping at 5 Everton Park, Singapore, covers everything from proper attachment techniques to preventing the algae issues that plague slow-growing anubias. Whether you are furnishing your first planted tank or adding a low-maintenance accent to an established aquascape, this variety rewards minimal effort with consistently attractive foliage.

Plant Profile

Anubias barteri var. round leaf is a cultivar within the broader Anubias barteri complex, originating from West African streams and riverbanks. Its leaves are rounder and broader than the standard A. barteri, reaching 5-8 cm in diameter on mature specimens. Growth is slow — expect one new leaf every two to three weeks under typical conditions. The thick, leathery texture makes it unpalatable to most herbivorous fish, which is a significant advantage in tanks with species like silver dollars or larger cichlids that demolish softer plants.

Placement and Attachment

Never bury the rhizome in substrate. This is the single most important rule for anubias care — a buried rhizome rots within weeks, killing the plant. Instead, attach it to hardscape using super glue gel (cyanoacrylate) or cotton thread. Glue a small section of the rhizome directly to driftwood or stone, pressing firmly for 10 seconds. The roots will eventually grip the surface naturally. Position in the midground or as a focal point on prominent hardscape. The round leaves create a visual contrast against linear plants like Vallisneria or feathery stems like Rotala.

Lighting Requirements

Low to moderate light suits this plant perfectly — 20-40 PAR at the leaf surface is the sweet spot. High light does not accelerate growth significantly but does invite algae to colonise the slow-growing leaves. In Singapore, many hobbyists run affordable LED fixtures from Shopee or Lazada in the 15-30 watt range for 60 cm tanks, which provides ample light for anubias without pushing into algae-promoting territory. Keep the photoperiod to 7-8 hours daily. If you notice green spot or black beard algae on the leaves, reduce lighting intensity or duration as a first step.

Water Parameters and CO2

Anubias round leaf thrives in pH 6.0-8.0, GH 3-15, and temperatures of 22-28°C. Singapore’s tap water is well within range without modification. CO2 injection is entirely optional — this plant grows adequately without supplementation. If your tank already runs CO2 for other species, anubias benefits with slightly faster leaf production, but the difference is modest. Liquid fertilisation with a comprehensive micronutrient blend once or twice per week supports healthy leaf colour. Iron deficiency shows as pale new leaves; dose a chelated iron supplement if this occurs.

Algae Prevention Strategies

Slow growth is the Achilles heel of all anubias species. Because leaves take weeks to develop, algae has ample time to establish on each leaf surface. Green spot algae, black beard algae (BBA), and green dust algae are the most common offenders. Prevention involves three factors: moderate lighting, good water circulation around the plant, and regular maintenance. Wiping leaves gently with your fingers during water changes removes early algae before it takes hold. Nerite snails are excellent companions — they graze biofilm and algae off anubias leaves without causing damage.

Propagation

Dividing Anubias barteri round leaf is straightforward. Once the rhizome has grown to 10 cm or longer, use a sharp blade to cut it into sections of at least three leaves each. Attach the new divisions to fresh hardscape. Each section will continue growing independently. Avoid cutting through active growth tips if possible — the white-tipped end of the rhizome is where new leaves emerge. Propagation is slow compared to stem plants, but a single specimen bought for $5-10 at a local shop can become multiple plants over a year.

Common Issues

Yellowing older leaves are normal — anubias sheds its oldest leaves periodically as new ones emerge. Trim these at the base to keep the plant tidy. Melting after purchase sometimes occurs when the plant transitions from emersed-grown nursery conditions to submerged life; this is temporary and new submersed leaves will follow within weeks. Brown or black patches on the rhizome indicate rot — cut away the affected section immediately and reattach the healthy portion.

Design Applications

The broad circular leaves of this variety lend themselves to naturalistic aquascapes where they suggest riverbank vegetation clinging to rocks. Attach several specimens at different heights on a large piece of driftwood for a layered, mature look. They also work beautifully in paludarium setups, growing emersed above the waterline where they produce thicker leaves and occasionally flower. This anubias barteri round leaf care guide reflects the planting approach Gensou Aquascaping has refined across hundreds of aquascape installations in Singapore.

Related Reading

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