Subclass Alismatidae
Order Alismatales
Family Araceae
Continued…
Genus Anubias.
Dwarf anubias — Anubias barteri var. nana.
(Eng. Dwarf anubias). West Africa, Cameroon. A small, attractive plant that thrives under any conditions. Height 5-10 cm. Bush width 8 cm. The largest old bushes reach a height of about 10 cm. Forms dense thickets of imbricate, glossy dark green oval leaves. Leaves are petiolate, simple, up to 8 cm long and 2.5 cm wide, lanceolate, gathered in a rosette, dark green, narrowed at the base and apex; venation is pinnate, the main vein protrudes on the underside, lateral veins are faint. Compared to the leaf blade, the petiole is quite short, 3-5 cm long. Features uniform growth. Often blooms directly underwater. Not eaten by herbivorous fish.
— Anubias nana “Bonzai” – Anubias Bonsai. A tiny plant with dark green leaves, perfect for creating the foreground in any aquarium. The rhizome is very small (dwarf). Leaves are two-rowed, petiolate, egg-shaped, leaf length no more than 2.5 cm, width about 1.5 cm. If there is too much light, the leaves may turn yellow; — Anubias nana “Gold” – Differs in slower growth and color — the leaves have a lighter coloration; — Anubias nana “Marbled” – Marbled Anubias. Heart-shaped leaves with a slightly elongated tip, small carved veins. The upper side of the leaves is light green, covered with many small irregular white spots. Leaf length up to 6 cm. Bush height 12-15 cm;
— Anubias nana “Petit” – Heart-shaped leaves, slightly lighter, veins not visible. Leaf length up to 3.5 cm. Bush height 5-8 cm; — Anubias nana “Yellow Heart” – Yellow Heart Anubias. Leaves are small and slightly more rounded, veins are invisible except for the central one. Leaf color is lemon-yellow, especially in young ones. Leaf length up to 5 cm. Bush height up to 8-10 cm; — Anubias nana “Wrinkled Leaf” – Wrinkled Leaf Anubias. Heart-shaped leaves, but with a slightly concave central vein, all veins are clearly visible. Upper leaf surface is dark green. Leaf length up to 8 cm. Bush height up to 8-10 cm;
They are not very demanding regarding water composition, although in natural conditions they live in very soft water. They grow well in water with a hardness of 8-10°. Its growth rate is approximately the same both in hard water with a slightly alkaline reaction and in very soft water with an acidic reaction (hardness 2-16°, pH 6.0-8.0). Active water reaction and hardness, unless critical, have no special effect on plant growth. Sensitive to water temperature and feel best at 22-26°C. A drop in water temperature to 20°C leads to a halt in growth. In cooler water, the plant begins to shed leaves and may die.
Weekly water changes are highly desirable. The water in the aquarium must be clean. Turbidity particles appearing in the water settle on the plant’s leaves and disrupt its nutrition, leading to algae overgrowth. Although dwarf anubias tolerates fouling better than Anubias afzelii, it nevertheless grows poorly in old and especially turbid water.
Plants develop best at medium or low lighting levels (0.3 W/l). Intensive lighting is not recommended due to slow plant growth and a high risk of algae overgrowth. In a brightly lit aquarium, it should be placed in the shade of fine-leaved plants. If planted in the “dead” zone of the light fixture, it grows very-slowly. The daylight hours should last at least 12 hours.
Rhizome creeping, branched, with a large number of offshoots. The root system is small, does not go deep into the substrate. The substrate must be rich in organic matter. Plants planted in a new substrate do not need additional feeding; the silt formed after 1-2 months is quite sufficient for their nutrition. Coarse river sand and fine gravel are best used as a substrate. The root system of anubias is relatively small and does not penetrate deep into the substrate. In a substrate consisting of large particles, its root system develops somewhat worse than in sand and fine gravel.
It can also be kept in an aquarium, but with a low water level. Planted in a group of several plants in the foreground, preferably in the shade of other plants. Has a strong rhizome creeping over rocks and driftwood. The root system is relatively small and does not penetrate deep into the substrate. Due to its tough leaves, it is well suited for aquariums housing cichlids. The plant can attach to hard objects. The best result can be achieved if the roots are fixed to a driftwood or rock (fishing line can be used for this). If the plant is planted in the substrate, rhizoids should not be buried deeply, as they tend to rot. When planting in the substrate, only the roots are buried, the rhizome must be left on top.
Maintenance conditions: simple, the plant is very hardy. On the other hand, it is very difficult to prevent old anubias leaves from becoming overgrown with green algae. In the aquarium, it is recommended to plant in the most shaded areas to protect the plants from algal aggression. Under normal conditions, leaves last 1-2 years. It grows slowly, and leaves live for several years, giving slow-growing algae a chance to establish on the plant. Growing dwarf anubias rises above the substrate, forming a dense tangle of roots that supports the whole plant above the substrate like stilts. Many fish find refuge in this root tangle. Anubias produces 8-10 leaves per year.
Propagated by dividing the rhizome from developing dormant buds. The rhizome in adult plants branches profusely, and new plants are obtained by dividing it. Newly formed offshoots on the rhizome can be separated and replanted in a new place after 5-6 leaves have formed.
Anubias barteri nana Petite.
Selection form. A mutation resulting from selection in Singapore. An even more compact variant of Anubias nana. Features beautiful rounded, dark green leaves on short petioles. Height 3-5 cm. Width 5-10 cm.
Temperature 20-30°C. pH 6-8. It can tolerate a variety of lighting conditions from very low to very bright. Prone to algal overgrowth.
Grows very slowly, sometimes it is difficult to achieve steady growth. Looks most decorative when attached to driftwood or rock. As with all other anubias, the plant should be secured with fishing line until it anchors itself. Ideal for creating miniature landscapes in small aquariums or in the foreground. Growth rate is very slow. Maintenance conditions are simple.
Identification: Dwarf anubias — Anubias barteri nana.
Anubias barteri var. angustifolia.
Grows along the banks of rivers, streams, and swamps, often on stones and fallen tree trunks, rarely on soil. West Africa, Nigeria, Cameroon, Gabon, Liberia. A beautiful plant with long narrow leaves gathered in a rosette. Height 15-20 cm. Width 15 cm. Length reaches 20 cm. Stem is straight and short with long, narrow, tough leaves.
In young plants, leaves are gathered in a rosette, in adults leaves are alternate, broadly lanceolate, reaching 15 cm in length and 5 cm in width. Leaves are rounded at the base, narrowed towards the apex, with a blunt end. Above they are dark green, slightly wavy, convex and glossy, below with a green or matte tint and a clearly visible main vein. The edges of the leaf blade are not wavy. Petiole length up to 15 cm.
Maintenance conditions are simple. Temperature 25-27°C. Water hardness — very soft to very hard. pH 5.5-8.0. dH 2-18°. For optimal development, medium lighting intensity of 0.3 W/l is sufficient.
Rhizome creeping, 1.5 cm thick, sometimes branched, sometimes with tuberous thickenings and traces of fallen leaves. Requires fertilization during the growth period.
Depending on the aquarium volume, planted in a group in the middle or background. Forms very cute bushy thickets formed by both the mother plant and growing daughter plants nearby sitting on branches of the creeping rhizome. Unpretentious, but develops very slowly. Not eaten by herbivorous fish. Propagated by daughter shoots, division of the rhizome.
Anubias barteri var. caladiifolia.
West Africa. Differs in large, deeply cut, pointed leaves. A powerful plant with a creeping rhizome up to 2 cm thick. Height 7-30 cm. A very beautiful plant with heart-shaped leaves. Leaf is lanceolate from narrow-ovate to ovate, up to 16 cm, leathery, light to dark brown.
Temperature 20-30°C. Develops in both soft and hard water, but optimal maintenance is in a soft, slightly acidic environment. pH 5.5-8. dH 2-18. Lighting — weak to strong.
Growth rate — slow. Maintenance conditions are very simple. Recommended for planting only in very tall aquariums. Especially suitable for aquariums with cichlid fish. A powerful root system and high leaf rigidity provide this plant with protection from herbivores and substrate-digging aquarium inhabitants. Needs protection from bright light and direct sunlight, otherwise quickly covered with algae and degrades.
Looks good in the background and middle ground, in the center and on the side, or on driftwood. Leaves live for several years, so it can easily form large groups despite slow growth. The phenomenon when a group of these plants grows to a width of more than 50 cm is quite unusual. 10-12 leaves on a long petiole with clear embossed venation form a rosette 15-25 cm in diameter.
Anubias barteri coffeefolia, glabra, Anubias afzelii.
Description of the genus Anubias, Anubias barteri var. barteri. 
