Anubias heterophylla

Scientific name: Anubias heterophylla

Family: Araceae

Usual maximum size in aquariums: 25 - 60 cm (9.84 - 23.62 inch)

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Recommended pH range for the species: 5.6 - 8

Recommended water hardness (dGH): 0 - 18°N (0 - 321.43ppm)

0°C 32°F30°C 86°F

Recommended temperature: 20 - 30 °C (68 - 86°F)

Reproduction of the plant: Rhizome

Origin (in the wild): Africa

How fast these plants grow: Slow

Recommended substrate: Gravel

Demands on lighting: Subdued

Ideal placement in a fish tank: Background

Common Names

Anubias heterophylla is known as Congo Anubias.

Origin

Africa; Anubias heterophylla are found in Cameroon, Guinea, Angola and Zaire.

Lighting Requirements

These plants should be given low to medium lighting levels, but can adapt to the aquarium lighting that is currently running in your fish tank (unless it’s too bright). If grown partially submersed the leaves above the water surface should be misted on a daily basis to prevent the lights from drying them out too much.

Propagation

These Anubias reproduce by rhizomes. Rhizome should be always above the substrate; If it’s too deep, the rhizome will rot and the plant will die. If you divide one rhizome into two or three pieces, each will form a new plant. Don’t use short plants for propagation (for example a 10 cm piece can be divided into two, but a 2 cm piece shouldn’t be divided). Always make sure that there at least 3 leaves per portion of rhizome that is cut away.

If left to their own devices, the rhizome will creep below the substrate and produce new plants, to get the best result from this method you should allow the plant plenty of room and keep other plants away from the planting area.

Difficulty

Anubias heterophylla is very easy to care for in the aquarium. These plants are tolerant toward a wide range of water parameters including temperature and should never need cutting back. They make ideal plants for beginners to planted aquariums, they have very little needs and once established will produce healthy shoots with very attractive leaf formations. If planted in taller aquariums, they have the ability to produce long stems as they attempt to reach the water surface.

Short Description

Anubias heterophylla are one of the tallest species of Anubias, they will grow higher when partially submerged, but still reach a good height under the water. They may produce flowers under water but not very often, some times it is propagated by using the seeds. Due to the slow growth, algae may appear on the older leaves but this is perfectly normal and enhances the appearance.

One advantage of adding this plant to the aquarium is the slow growing speed so they will not overcrowd the growing area. They also look very attractive when attached to pieces of wood or rock, this is easily accomplished by the use of fishing line until the plant has secured itself. When removing the line make sure that all is removed from the aquarium to prevent any fish from getting entangled.