Anubias 'Nangi' Care Guide
Anubias 'Nangi' is a hybrid epiphyte of the Araceae family, a slow-growing rhizome plant kept attached to wood or rock in shaded freshwater aquariums.
Overview
Anubias 'Nangi' is a cultivated hybrid within the genus Anubias, a flowering plant group of the family Araceae native to tropical central and western Africa. Like other members of the genus, it is an epiphyte that grows attached to surfaces rather than rooted in substrate. It is a slow-growing, robust plant suited to shaded freshwater aquariums.
Taxonomy
- Family: Araceae
- Genus: Anubias
- Scientific name: Anubias 'Nangi'
- Type: cultivated hybrid
Habitat
The genus Anubias occurs in tropical central and western Africa, where the plants grow primarily in rivers and streams and may also be found in marshes. They favour shaded aquatic environments, which is reflected in their tolerance of subdued lighting in cultivation. As a hybrid, 'Nangi' has no wild range of its own but inherits the shade-loving habit of its parent species.
Tank requirements
- Temperature: 22-28 °C (72-82 °F)
- pH: 6.0-7.5
- GH: 3-12 °dGH
- Lighting: low / subdued
- CO2: not required
- Maximum height: about 15 cm
- Placement: epiphyte (wood, rock)
Growth and placement
Anubias plants are slow-growing and generally prefer subdued lighting; stronger light can promote faster, more compact growth but also encourages algae on the slow leaves. The rhizome must remain above the substrate, tethered to wood or rock, because a buried rhizome may rot. Anubias grows well both partially and fully submersed.
Propagation
Anubias is propagated by dividing the rhizome or by separating side shoots. Each division should retain several leaves and a portion of healthy rhizome before being re-attached to a surface.