Anubias afzelii
Scientific name: Anubias afzelii
Family: Araceae
Usual maximum size in aquariums: 15 - 30 cm (5.91 - 11.81 inch)
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Recommended pH range for the species: 6 - 8
Recommended water hardness (dGH): 7 - 15°N (125 - 267.86ppm)
0°C 32°F30°C 86°F
Recommended temperature: 23 - 27 °C (73.4 - 80.6°F)
Reproduction of the plant: Rhizome
Origin (in the wild): Africa
How fast these plants grow: Slow
Recommended substrate: Fine gravel
Demands on lighting: Medium
Ideal placement in a fish tank: Background
Origin
Anubias afzelii originate from West Africa.
Lighting Requirements
Anubias afzelii is not very fussy about lighting requirements. Like some other Anubias plants, this species is quite happy under bright lighting, however will also grow just as quick under dimmer lighting. Too bright or too subdued lighting may case this plant to become overgrown with algae - anyway, this won’t mean the plant doesn’t thrive.
Propagation
Anubias afzelii are very easy plants to reproduce in a fish tank. Since this species is a rhizome plant, a rhizome can be split into smaller pieces regularly and new plants will grow from these. Rhizomes may rot if they’re buried deep in the substrate; Leaving them "as is" in your tank is completely OK, they will grow as unattached too. It is quite a popular practice to attach this plant to a small piece of rock or wood. This is a very simple process that involves using fishing line or fine wire to keep the cutting attached until the roots have established and it becomes self attached. At this stage the line or wire can be removed but make sure that this is done carefully and that all is taken from the aquarium as these can get caught in any fish causing them harm.
Difficulty
Anubias afzelii plant is very hardy and easy to care for. This species, just like other Anubias plants, is known to tolerate a wide range of water parameters. If given the correct conditions they will grow into a sturdy plant that will make a great feature in the aquarium.
Short Description
This is a plant that develops broad leaves which many species of fish may choose to use as spawning sites. The use of a CO2 system should not be required but ensure that nutrients are available in the water in the form of liquid fertiliser or JBL balls (for example).
It is only recently that this plant became widely available as imported specimens were rare to begin with but as more keepers propagated these in the aquariums they became easy to obtain which in turn dropped the price that they were available for. They have now become very popular as they are undemanding but beware, they are very slow growers so do not expect them to fill out your aquarium quickly. The slow growing also means that they make a perfect home for algal colonies if they are kept under bright lighting so placing them in the shade of other plants is often an ideal situation.