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Anubias file and care - The Easiest Aquarium plant

Anubias belong to a group that includes several aquatic and semi-aquatic plants with slow-growing flowers and leaves. Its leaves are robust and different colors can be found depending on its shape and species. These plants are perfect for beginners. In the following points we will see everything about these aquarium plants and their care.

CARE OF ANUBIAS IN THE AQUARIUM

All the Anubias consist of Ideal plants for beginners in the world of aquariums. They come from regions of West Africa where the temperature is high, the water does not have many nutrients. They are born on the banks of rivers and when the rainy season arrives they are usually completely covered by water. They adapt very well thanks to their broad and leathery leaves. They also have a great photosynthetic capacity and they don't need too much care.

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TECHNICAL DATA OF THE ANUBIAS

 Family Araceae
 Gender Anubias
 From Africa
 Lighting design Low
 Aquarium size (optimal) 20 - 30 liters
 Difficulty Easy
 Growth Slow
 Optimum temperature 26 - 30 ° C
 Optimal pH 5.5 – 8.5
 Optimal GH 1 – 5
 Optimal KH 3 – 12
 Color Green and yellow
 Size 4 - 20cm
 Planting area Media
 Propagation Rhizome division
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KK6W6HBNqkc

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TEMPERATURE AND WATER LEVEL

Because they live for a great number of months submerged in rivers, they are marsh plants with resistant leaves. These wildlife conditions allow them to adapt to a wide range of temperatures, being able to live between about 20 ° and 30 ° C.

Anubias are plants that grow in rivers, swamps, and streams, so a pH level between 6 and 8 is ideal so they can grow. Remember that Anubias are slow-growing plants, so be patient while waiting for foliation.

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LIGHTING FOR ANUBIAS

Although Anubias are very hardy plants and they adapt well to almost any environment, it is important to bear in mind that most of the problems associated with the health of anubias come from lighting conditions. Low Tech aquariums are also a good habitat for these plants because they give them the right level of light that they need.

These are plants that grow in the shade of trees or are submerged, so it is important to provide shade and not expose them too much to the sun. In its natural state, it can only get the sun for a few hours. When there is too much light, CO2 levels rise, so the filamentous algae take advantage of the leaves of the anubias to grow.

The best place for anubias is in the middle of the aquarium. Aquarium fluorescents can help keep aquarium lighting in check. Floating plants can also be included to provide some shade for the anubias.

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HOW TO PLANT THE ANUBIAS?

The reproduction in nature of an anubia occurs through the pollination of its flowers. These come out with their long stems and insects pollinate them. In the case of aquariums, the most common form is replanting parts of your rhizome, either tied to a rock or a log. For the proper development of anubias, it is necessary that the rhizome have healthy roots and leaves, otherwise they could die.

Anubias that are grown for sale often breed out of the water. Observation has shown that out of water anubias grow faster and with larger leaves, the flowers have shorter cycles, making it easier to get seeds. All this if they are grown out of the water.

Its structure has three parts that are divided into the leaves, the rhizome and the roots. The leaves are fibrous and large ranging from 4 cm to 10 cm long with the petiole included. The extension of their leaves allows them to store a certain amount of water inside to use it in photosynthesis when they must be out of the water for long periods of time.

The rhizome can be more than 10 cm long and with a diameter of about 4 cm. Due to its length, it can be cut for playback. As well small cuts can be made in the rhizome for new stems to grow. The roots, even in the smallest varieties of anubias, are often too long and thick to hold firmly to the soil.

When the foliation process begins and the first leaves sprout, they usually have a more subdued green color. When they grow they take on the intense green color characteristic of these plants. When they reach their adult stage and begin to age, their coloration diminishes again, and in some cases, the leaves turn black when they die.

There are many varieties of Anubias they do not represent a species by themselves. The type of leaves, growth and color can determine its species clearly. Among the most popular anubias are the Nana which is a variant of the classic Barteri, with a smaller size, the angustifolias that have very long leaves, but thin and that end in points, the caladiifolia that resemble the barteri, but the edges of their leaves are rounded, the coffeifolia that has leaves very similar to the caladiifolia, but with more centimeters diameter.

All the anubias flowers they are small and white. Together they form a kind of colony and have a vibrant green border. Flowering can occur in water as outside, but it is common to do so while on the surface.

The most characteristic thing about anubias is that they do not require great demands on the substrate. They can be planted in the bottom of the aquarium or can be tied to an element of the aquarium and it will grow well if it is given the necessary care. Although this is an easy plant to care for, if it is not properly cared for, it will die or grow slower than usual.

Tying it to an element of the aquarium is the most common way to plant these plants in the community aquarium. In this process the rhizome is unlikely to be damaged, compared to the risks taken when the rhizome is buried too deep and ends up dying. Elements such as nylon threads or gel-like glues are used specifically for this process, which usually adhere well enough to the rhizome without damaging it.

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PREDATORS OF ANUBIAS

This is one of the basic plants of any aquarium that has little lighting. When starting a community aquarium it is very important to take into account the needs of each inhabitant. For example, anubias, and no plants, can survive comfortably with herbivorous fish They attack and eat their new leaves.

Anubias can share an aquarium with Java Ferns because they share the same lighting needs and parameters, also with Bucephalandras. Anubias are recommended to be placed under larger, busier plants to avoid excess sunlight and create a symmetrical and harmonious space in your aquarium. This also helps create territorial barriers for fish.

Although its leaves are relatively robust, they are not exempt from attack by certain fish. For example, Goldfish fail to hurt the strongest leaves, but the young ones can be attacked by these because their cell membranes have barely developed and are weaker.

On the other hand, Anostomids eat the leaves of anubias without any problem. They are strong enough to bite both young and old leaves. Snails such as Pomacea Canaliculata can eat leaves and roots.. The Scalars or the Ramirezi make the large leaves of the anubias an ideal support to house eggs.

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TYPES AND SPECIES OF ANUBIAS

In the following points we will see in detail a large part of the Anubias species that we have available in the market.

ANUBIAS COFFEIFOLIA

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Growth and origin.

In the tropical regions of Africa they are common to see and grow in the streams, streams and swamps of the areas. Its leaves begin with a red color, but when they reach maturity they take on a green color.. This is one of the slower growing anubias and only produces a few leaves throughout the year because a leaf can take 3 weeks or more to foliate. This slow growth makes it prone to attack by algae. It grows very well under water, but it is not possible to get seeds from it. During planting, the rhizome cannot be completely buried because it may rot.
Forma.

This is one of the anubias of the Barteri variety. The coffeefolia is distinguished from the others because its leaves have a red or brown tint. His growth is particularly slow compared to the others in his family. Its leaves grow about 6 cm long, and total height becomes another 6 centimeters, although it does not grow too long, if it has enough folition to be a plant capable of decorating your aquarium very well.

Aquarium conditions.

This is one of the varieties of anubias for which an extra fertilizer is recommended. Because it grows slowly, it can suffer from diseases. A fertilizer with macronutrients and micronutrients is the indicated option following the recommendations on the label. An iron supplement can come in handy. In addition, a feed supplementation helps to speed up the growth process a bit without exposing them to dangerous water conditions for the inhabitants of the aquarium.

Composting should be done in the early stages of growth to help create good roots. After this period, the behavior of the anubia should be observed to know if it is necessary to pay more. For example, if you notice a change in leaf color or excessively slow growth, it may be a good time to add a food supplement.

Pruning is necessary for the proper growth of this plant. It is also important to maintain a clean environment because an excess of decomposing materials inside the aquarium affects the quality of the water. The lighting should not be too intense because these are shadow plants. About 25 watts per liter of water is fine for these plants.

The best way to reproduce is by dividing the rhizome and making sure there are leaves at each end. You have to have special patience during the growth when it comes to anubias caffeefolias because the foliation of their leaves is quite slow. In situ tests have shown that making small cuts in the rhizome causes new, younger branches to sprout. This is one of the plants that can be exposed a little more to CO2 for their growth. Gravel and sand can be good substrates for a new rhizome, but it should not be completely buried because it can rot and die.

If the method of reproduction is going to be pollination, it is necessary to do it with two anubia flowers that are not genetically related. Flowering has a period of 3 to 4 days after the flower has reached the surface, but it can only be pollinated between day 1 and 2. Usually, this process begins 3 or 4 days after it has started. flowering.

During its cultivation it may be necessary to excavate the aquarium to prevent herbivorous fish from affecting the plant. When the Caffeefolia anubia is firmly tied to a substrate such as a stone or a log, an uprooting process is less likely.

It is important to keep phosphate levels low if you are going to be exposed to a lot of sun exposure.. An excess of phosphate can promote algae colonies. Because it is a slow-growing plant, filamentous algae can find a place among its leaves to nest. A good solution is to have an algae eater such as shrimp in the aquarium. Algae can be identified on glass, logs, or rocks.

ANUBIAS NANA

Anubias Nana aquarium plant

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Growth and origin.

The Barteri Nanas Anubias are native to the most tropical areas of Africa. In Senegal, Angola and Zaire they can be found and it is very easy for them to grow on the banks of rivers. Its roots are attached to rocks or remains of logs

This is one of the most popular types of anubia and they are also the least growing varieties. Its maintenance is quite easy and practical, but you have to be patient because the plants have slow-growing leaves. 1 leaf can take 1 month to develop, so it is an excellent option to start the aquarium because they take time to grow and do not require as much pruning during the first weeks.

Like all anubias, they are the best choice for beginners because they are hardy when aquarium water conditions vary. However, do not exceed and abuse their resistance because they can also suffer from diseases and pests. If you have an aquaterrarium, you can use these types of plants. They grow very well when they are totally submerged in water, but if they are on the surface, their leaves can also do the foliation.

Forma.

They are one of the smallest in their family and do not exceed 15 centimeters in height. They have a compact appearance as if it were a bush and its leaves do not spread too far. The colors of its leaves are a very bright light green, especially when they are under water. The lower part of the leaves have a dark green color, but it is not a disease or infection, this is the normal coloration they have.

The leaves are quite fibrous and are between 3 cm and 5 cm wide, while their length is about 6 cm. The plantation is similar to others of its kind and it is necessary to tie the rhizome to a rock or log, but it should not be completely buried because it will not have enough oxygen and will die.

Aquarium care.

Even though this is a hardy plant, there are certain conditions that it must have to grow in the time it takes. These are plants that grow in tropical places, but on the banks of rivers and under the shadows of trees, so they need specific water conditions.

They do not need a particular diet or fertilizer, they can grow with the nitrates they obtain from fish excrement. If they are fed extra compost and exposed to more sunlight, flowering can be accelerated. If you are going to try this acceleration technique, it is necessary to do it slowly because excess nutrients can help the proliferation of algae and pests. If you overfeed there is also the risk of dangerously raising the level of CO2, which can cause suffocation and embolism in fish. For its part, an excess of CO2 makes them grow faster, but hinders the exchange of gases.

In their natural habitat, they do not have excessive sun exposure, so they can suffer a lot if they are in front of a window. Nor can the aquarium be kept in very dark places for the health of the fish and other plants. It is not so easy to control the intensity of sunlight, so it is good to use an LED light to have more control. The only way to maintain a high light exposure in order to accelerate growth is to have fish constantly eat the algae in the aquarium.

The rhizomes grow horizontally. When new leaves are blooming, several parts of the root can be cut to have new plants. Because anubias are plants that can grow out of water, they can reproduce by pollinating their flowers. The problem with pollination is that it is quite complicated and there is a good chance that a new plant will not be achieved. It is much safer to do this by dividing the rhizome.

ANUBIAS LANCEOLATA

Anubias Lancelolata aquarium plant

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Growth and origin.

Lanceolate anubias are very common in the rivers of Cape Verde, Sierra Leone and Nigeria. Although they can be submerged all year, half of the anubias can be found on the surface. This occurs because rivers are shallow and because anubias are found only on river banks. In these conditions, lanceolates grow with few nutrients, so this is a plant that does not need as much care. In natural conditions, although it grows in tropical climates, it does so under the shade of trees and does not have much sun exposure.

Forma.

This is one of the large varieties because it can grow about 40 cm or 50 cm. However, it does this under natural conditions. In the aquarium, due to space limitations, it reaches only about 30 cm. Its leaves are quite round, reaching about 3 or 5 cm wide and the length is about 10 cm or 12 cm. The leaves are very long and thin, so it is easier for it to suffer from pests and its color has a dark green tone.

Aquarium conditions.

The ideal pH for this type of plants is between 7 and 8.5, but it can resist in lower or higher pH, but without excesses. The ideal temperature is between 20 ° C to 28 ° C. Water changes can be done with the other inhabitants of the aquarium in mind because lanceolate anubias require a minimum of 15% water change per month.

These plants are usually anchored in rocks and logs, but in these conditions they do not reach their highest growth. An ideal substrate to reach the maximum of its growth in a medium-type granular substrate that helps oxygenation, development and root system and

It is not necessary to include a specific compost for lanceolat anubias, but they should live without too much CO2 in the aquarium. If you want to give it a little more nutrients, the ideal is to use clay substrates that help the plant absorb and seal the iron better.

For these plants it is best not to expose too much to light. Shade is always good for this type of anubias because it is more sensitive to algae. They are also likely to suffer from necrosis if they have very bright lighting.

Pruning damaged roots is very important, not only for anubias, but for all plants. Without this you will not have new healthy leaves. Reproduction can be done sexually by pollinating its flowers. However, you can also divide the rhizome for this.

If the planting is to be done to a rock or trunk, do not exert too much force because the rhizome can break and die. It can also be buried directly in the substrate, but the rhizome cannot be completely covered. If there is not enough exposure of the rhizome, the photosynthesis cells will most likely fail to function well and the plant will wilt very soon.

Anubias Afzelii

Anubias Afzelii "Congensis" Aquarium Plant

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Growth and origin.

This is a species from West Africa and its name comes from its first collector, Adam Afzelius. It is known by its other name, anubia spear blade for its particular shape. These plants are native to Africa and are slow growing. Although they do not grow too large, they are very resistant and ideal plant species for domestic life.

Forma.

Its leaves are quite thin, but long and end in a point, which gives it a fairly curved overall appearance. Although its growth is slow, it can cover an aquarium of about 20 cm quite well. Within the variety of barteri, it is one of the fastest growing. Its maximum length is usually about 30 cm and width another 40 cm.

Its original plantation does not present great difficulties, because it is quite resistant. It needs moderate sun exposure and is a very good option to start filling an aquarium with vegetation.

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Aquarium conditions.

Like all variations in its family, this is a slow growing aquatic plant. You need to be patient in their care. Keep in mind that plants need space to grow, and by not having it, their growth process slows down more. Low Tech aquariums are good for them, although the growing space is tight, but if you have a High Tech, it will be easier for you to spread its leaves. Like all the inhabitants of an aquarium, afzelii need nutrients that they will take from the water chain and appropriate CO2 exposure.

There are ways to speed up the growth process. Increasing the lighting can make it bloom sooner, but extreme care must be taken in these cases so as not to exceed the proliferation of algae. If there is too much CO2 and very intense lighting in your aquarium, the nubia will fill with algae that make it difficult for it to grow because it feeds on these gases.

The ideal temperature for these plants is between 20 and 28 ° C, but ideally it should remain at an average temperature of 24 ° C. Nothing happens if the temperature exceeds the limits a bit because this is a very resistant plant, but it is important not to abuse them because they will die if they are constantly overexposed.

Like all living things found in water and especially plants, they need to acquire most of their nutrients from the water chain. Keeping the water filtered and clean is important. In its natural habitat it can also grow in river streams as river gravels.

Once the anubia has grown properly and reached adult size, it can reproduce. Cultivation work is not difficult, but there are certain recommendations that must be taken into account to obtain a new healthy anubia. The rhizome is the part of the plant that must be cut, but the leaves and the rhizome itself have to have a good amount of healthy root.

The new plant can be placed in a substrate, placing the rhizome outside of it. You can also make use of the rocks of the aquarium and using a thread or a cyanoacrylate bolt and it will begin to grow. If you have a planted aquarium, the ideal is to place the anubia afzelii in the middle parts, this will help each plant have its own space to grow and differ visually from each other.

ANUBIAS HASTIFOLIA

Anubias Hastifolia Aquarium Plant

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Growth and origin.

This is one of the largest varieties of anubias. It is very common in the Ghana, Nigeria and Cameroon regions, but rapid growth cannot be expected. Like many of these plants, it grows slowly, but it is a very strong plant. Without good care and living in dark places, its growth process is slow, but if it is provided with good lighting, enough nutrients and CO2, it will grow faster. If you have good conditions in the aquarium, you can start the foliation in 10 days.

Forma.

With proper care it can grow to about 40 centimeters in a home aquarium, and compared to most of this species, its leaves are very large and can reach up to 25 cm, although the average is 15 cm to 20 cm. Its entire stem, up to the rhizome, can measure up to 60 cm and the thickness of its leaves is about 8 cm.

When going to the greenhouse, keep in mind that it is a hastifolia and not a heterophylla. It's easy to create confusion because there is a lot of kinship between the two. In many cases, plants that are sold as hastifolias turn out to be heterophylla, but a good way to tell the difference is by the shape of the base of their leaves. The hastifolia leaf hatch looks like a kind of stag horn with three points, and from the center of the leaf its oval shape begins to end in a point.

Anubias Hastifolia Aquarium Plant

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Aquarium conditions.

This is a type of anubia that can be made some compromises with. Low, medium or high lighting can be maintained. Unlike many anubias, hastofilias can grow very well and quickly with more sun than the rest of their species.

Regarding the water conditions, they must be what they need, not only the plants, but the other inhabitants of the aquarium. With a pH between 6 and 8.5 it will be very comfortable, but it is also quite capable of adapting to a wider range. Although remember that they are freshwater plants, so they are not okay if the pH is too acidic.

A temperature between 24 ° C and 28 ° C is fine. It must be remembered that this plant in its natural conditions grows on the banks of rivers in warm and tropical areas. Your compost is not necessary, with the nutrients in the water chain it can be fine. In the case of wanting to provide an extra diet, you can pay with NPK, iron and calcium.

HETEROPHYLLA ANUBIAS

Anubias Heterophylla “Undulata” Aquarium plant

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Growth and origin.

This is a medium-sized Anubia, but in nature it becomes quite large. However, in aquariums it reduces its size and remains like a medium-sized Anubia. They are very common in the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, and Angola. This is a riverbank plant that spends a lot of time submerged, but because it grows quite large to be an anubia, it looks pretty good from the surface and usually keep half of its leaves out of rivers.

Flowering also grows under normal conditions, but its flowering occurs between July and December. The seeds of the Anubias Heterophylla are given until December.

Forma.

It can grow about 40 cm, while its average leaves measure between 5 and 25 centimeters. The stem that joins the leaves to the rhizome has a length of 15 and 20 cm. Its colors are a more subdued green, so you have to be very careful with color alterations on the edges of the leaves.

Because it is a large aquarium plant, it is best to give it a large enough aquarium to spread its branches. This is a good variety for breeding because it is easy to plant in a new aquarium. They can grow in almost any environment. They can be tied using a thread, but there are also glue in gel format to join them to rocks or logs.

Aquarium conditions.

The amount of CO2 is important for these plants. Although they can be exposed a little more to the sun, it is necessary not to abuse so as not to promote a colony of algae. Generally, with the general conditions of the water for the fish or the other plants, it will be enough to grow healthily. Something you can do to make these plants very comfortable is to provide them with a pH between 6 and 8.

An iron and calcium supplement is also fine for them, and a temperature between 24 ° C and 28 ° C is fine.

pangolino anubias

Anubias Nana "Pangolino" Aquarium plant

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Growth and origin.

It is also from the West African regions, although it is slow growing, it can be accelerated a little more if it is exposed a little more to light, but care must be taken not to suffocate it because it could suffer from diseases or pests. It grows in tropical climates and on the banks of rivers. It is very resistant and does not need exceptional care. Its name comes from the scales of a pangolin

Forma.

This is a smaller anubia than the petite nana and they have a great resemblance like the mini coin anubias. Its leaves are strong and fibrous and should be tied to a firm surface to develop a stronger cell wall.

Anubias Nana "Pangolino" Aquarium plant

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Aquarium care.

It can be exposed a little more to sunlight to grow faster, but it is necessary to be very careful because it can become very easily wilted. If they have too much light from CO2, algae can grow very fast. A pH between 5 and 6 helps these plants. As well extreme changes in aquarium water conditions should be avoided.

ANUBIAS SNOW WHITE

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Growth and origin.

This is a distinct variety among the anubia family. It is a variety native to Asia and is one of the smallest. Like the others, its growth is slow, but it is quite resistant, which makes Anubia Nana Snow White a plant that will accompany you for many years.

Forma.

Its leaves are very small and are not green like most anubias. Its small leaves are round, small and white in shape, although they can also have very light green tints. It is very likely that if you see it, you will not think that it is an anubia because it shares a different shape and origin from the rest of the varieties of its family. Snow White Nanas can be between 5 and 15 cm long. On the other hand, its diameter can reach up to 8 cm.

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Aquarium care.

This is a very easy to care anubia that does not require extra care. Despite being one of the smallest varieties, it is possible to cut its rhizome and multiply the Nana Snow White. It is quite difficult to find and very often not available. You do not need extra fertilizer and with good water conditions, it will be more than enough to keep this type of anubia in good health.

Its leaves may show slight mutations in shape and color. From the whitest to light green, you can even find several shades in a single anubia. The intermediate areas of the aquarium are the most recommended for this plant because they have the amount of CO2 it needs to grow a little faster and for its leaves to develop more robust and resistant.

The ideal temperature is between 20 ° C and 30 ° C and they can be reproduced by pollinating their leaves or by planting the rhizome in a substrate or by tying it to some part of the aquarium.

ANUBIAS NANA BONSAI

Anubias Nana Bonsai aquarium plant

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Growth and origin.

Generally, this is a plant that grows in the rivers of West Africa. They are plants that remain submerged for many months when the rivers rise. However, they can also grow on the surface.

Its growth is slow, but it does not need extra care. If it is not exposed to CO2 changes or a lot of light, it can grow very well. Its leaves may take about 3 weeks to sprout. When the leaves take longer than this time to bloom, you may have a problem in your domestic living conditions.

Forma.

It is one of the smallest anubias and only grows about 3 or 4 cm tall. In width it can measure up to 10 centimeters. Despite being a small screen, it is ideal for narrower aquariums because it decorates the entire space very well. It should always be placed in the middle and front areas of the aquarium, but protected from direct sunlight. Its leaves are very persistent and leathery.

Anubias Nana Bonsai aquarium plant

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Aquarium care.

The ideal temperature is between 20 ° C and 30 ° C and needs a pH between 5 and 9. Most keepers prefer to tie it to the trunks of aquariums, but its planting can be a bit complicated.

This is a plant that can have problems with the absorption of nutrients such as iron. You also need a good phosphate fertilizer, which should be above 1 ppm. If you see some green coloration, you can increase the amount of phosphate to 2 ppm or change the plant.

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DEFICIENCIES AND PLAGUES OF ANUBIAS

When we start an aquarium we usually think about the health needs of fish, but all living things, including plants, can have health problems. We have all seen those plants with dry leaves, brittle or with whitish spots, these are symptoms that the plant lacks the necessary conditions to live.

  1. Chlorosis. This is a disease characterized by a discoloration on the leaves of aquarium plants. They tend to turn yellow or pale. Usually it is a lighting problem and iron deficiency. Although anubias are plants that do not need too much sun exposure, you cannot have them in your garage at home. Photosynthesis is a vital process in plants for which they need carbon dioxide to produce the starch on which they feed. The plant can also suffer from nitrogen and iron deficiency when it does not reach the sun exposure they need.
  2. Necrosis. This can be the point of no return for a plant. It is characterized by signs of wilting and rotting. Plants have a wall of cells inside them that help them stand upright. They may begin to sag from necrosis. This is due to insufficient lighting and a lack of nutrients. Although it can be difficult to handle a plant that is in a necrosis state, you can always remove any leaves that have withered to prevent further spread of the disease. It is important to cut the diseased shoots and do sanitation pruning to recover the plant.
  3. Algae. Algae are part of the ecosystem of an aquarium and in most cases they do not cause problems. These are brown or green in color and appear in glass. With a good filter, conditioners and water changes, nothing bad should happen and it begins to disappear. There are other types of algae that are stronger and more dangerous. They are much denser and cling strongly to the plant. They usually appear when there is a lack of CO2 in the aquarium, which greatly affects anubias. An excessive appearance of algae may be revealing a problem in the aquarium. When the biological balance is lost, they begin to appear and settle.
  4. Cryptocorynes disease. This disease is characterized by the fact that the leaves of the plants have small holes. The leaves have the appearance of having been eaten by snails. This is a disease that progresses quickly, and a few days after it appears, the plants go into decomposition.In most cases, it is due to poor hygienic water conditions and a great absence of sunlight. It can also occur because the plant is not getting the nutrients it needs. When changed into aquarium water after a very long period of time, you can get this disease. Likewise, if you feed the plants after a long period of abstinence, the same thing can happen, immature aquariums or in the process of cycling can also be the main cause of this symptom.

Anubias Nana Mini Aquarium Plant

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WHAT TO DO IF THE ANUBIAS DIE?

Quarantine of the Anubias.

It is important to note that plants are usually a conduit for microorganisms to enter the aquarium. Snails are the most commonly found, although insects or hydras can also be seen. It is always best that you try to keep the risk of pathogenic infections entering the water to a minimum. It is much more efficient to spend time caring for and disinfecting plants before putting them in the aquarium.

Eradicating an algae infestation or a proliferation of snails is not as easy as you think, so it is better to take the time to do things right from the beginning. Quarantines work well as a disinfection method. Not only for anubias and other aquarium plants, it is also recommended that new fish go through a quarantine process before entering the general aquarium. With about 10 or 15 days in a specific aquarium, with the same water conditions, it will be enough to minimize the risks of contagion or transmission of pathogens.

Cleaning and preventing snails.

A good way to prevent dangerous agents in the water is a previous washing of the plants that we bring home. Some use cotton and carefully clean the parts of the plant. It is also a good option clean them under running water. The chlorine it contains can eliminate some bacteria and if you use a preparation to prevent snails, much better.

There are many commercial products intended for this purpose. The most advisable thing is to use these formulas diluted in water, because although the anubias are quite resistant, it is necessary to take care of them and not expose them too much. These infusions are usually a mixture of potassium permanganate and aluminum sulfate. However, professionals recommend products based on copper derivatives. This pre-washing can also reveal hiding places where snails are nesting.

If you want to recognize a snail nest, they are agureros, usually round, at the eaten edges of the leaves and in the areas that lose a little color they appear translucent. It is true that they are small and may not be so exposed as to see them from the aquarium glass, but if you wash your plants and scrutinize them, you can surely notice these symptoms, if they exist. If you find them, remove them with your hands or with a clean paper towel.

Snails are a real threat. First of all, they reproduce very quickly and most caretakers don't realize they exist until they are everywhere. They are usually true leaf eaters and this can be deadly for your plants. The lymnaea stagnalis snail is one of the most commonly seen in aquariums and can cause problems for plants.

Snails can also seriously affect fish. In general, snails are the host in the first life cycle of many parasites. In other words, the first symptoms of parasites that grow in the water appear in snails. If the pest progresses, these parasites that cause many infections and diseases in fish could reproduce in the water.

Remove excess algae.

Although algae, for the most part, are not dangerous, it is necessary to prevent them from multiplying because they can create a plague. Anubia leaves that have algae on their surfaces must be cleaned. On the other hand, the substrates in the greenhouse waters have a lot of phosphate and nitrate that the plant brings with it when it reaches the aquarium. It is true that it is not an exaggerated volume, but these components are cumulative, because they can raise their levels above what is recommended, affecting the physical-chemical balance of the plant.

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SUBSCRIBER OF THE ANUBIAS

What do Anubias eat?

Like all living things, plants need nutrients to grow and live. They take what their organisms need from the air, soil and water. Although we may not realize it, nutrients are found in the air we breathe, in the water we drink and in the soil. They are imperceptible to the human eye because they move through colorless gases. As if it were a powder diluted in water: you may not see it, but it makes a big change.

The quality and quantity of nutrients that a plant can absorb depend on its living conditions. The substrate, the quality of the water, the air and the type of plant determine its nutrition.

Plants have their own food process through photosynthesis, but they absorb a lot of nutrients from the ecosystem that is around them. The small strands that have the roots absorb all the nutrients. The larger and thicker roots serve to support the plant, store water and nutrients. These small threads expel a kind of whitish liquid that can affect the acidity of the soil where the anubia is planted.

When modifying the soil pH, the quantity, quality and types of nutrients that the plant absorbs are also altered. However, this is a natural process, and after some time from planting, the soil adapts to the organic needs of the plants.

Plants need three macronutrients for their function, but they also need some micronutrients. Nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium are the macronutrients that together represent 75% of the total nutrients for a plant.

How to detect nutritional deficiencies in Anubias?

There are two types of nutrients: macronutrients, needed in large amounts, and micronutrients, needed in small amounts. You may not be able to tell for sure whether a plant needs more nutrients. However, there are physical changes that can warn you of this situation.

Make a review of the stems, leaves, roots, accurately reveal the nutritional status of a plant. Another way to know is through a soil test, but this is not accurate because there is no way to know exactly what nutrients the plant is absorbing. In this case, the nutrients in the soil are found, but this is not a sure indication of the behavior of the plant.

Finally, an option that is also taken into account to diagnose anemia is injecting different nutrients at different times of the cycle. A significant change or improvement in response to the nutrient may reveal that this is the nutrient you were missing.

LACK OF MACRONUTRIENTS IN ANUBIAS

Plants need balanced nutrition. That is, they require all 13 nutrients and in their right amounts to grow. When there is a lack in this sense, signs such as wilted leaves, lack of growth or change in the color of the vegetation are usually seen.

A good way to eat a "plant food menu" is to carefully observe the amount of light you have, the amount of water, and the quality of the fertilizers or substrate. Seeing that the leaves develop to the standards of their species, it is indicative that this is a good routine for anubias or any other aquarium plant.

Phosphorus. A good indication that your anubias are in need of more phosphate is that their seedling is stunted - this is a more obvious sign in the plant's developmental stage. You can see that the leaves turn a very dark green, yellow, or purple color. If you see that the color purple is in your plants, this is a classic alert of the lack of phosphorus in anubias. If there is no different coloration between the leaf, it can be difficult to diagnose. However, these types of purple colors should not be confused with the classics that have new leaves in their first foliation.

Potassium. Lack of potassium can initially be evidenced in the older leaves of anubia. These take a yellowish color at the edges, although the interior is still green. These edges that started as yellow begin to weaken and fall off. Small necrotic (dead) parts can also be seen and when potassium deficiency progresses too far, the leaves die.

Football. When anubias lack calcium it is not so easy to detect One of the first symptoms is slow growth, but anubias are plants that take time to grow. Lesions such as acronecrosis can be seen, which has the appearance of gangrene on the tips of the roots. The seedlings have only small, thick roots. This is a common condition when the substrate has a very acidic pH.. The root system houses the small strands that absorb nutrients, when these are developed correctly, the absorption of calcium is more efficient.

Magnesium. When the veins begin to have a yellow color and look worn, it can be a symptom of a lack of magnesium. Keep in mind that when there is an excess of potassium, the absorption of magnesium is difficult. This is a nutrient that moves, that is, it goes backward from the oldest leaves to the new ones, so symptoms usually appear on the oldest leaves of anubias.

When the plants lose elasticity, it may be that it is a lack of sulfur. This nutrient does not move and symptoms appear on new leaves. In other words, plants that have already absorbed a good amount of sulfur retain it much better than new ones. The leaves that are recently in their first stage of foliation, do not have this nutrient and its edges may appear black.

If there is a lack of micronutrients, it is more difficult to notice. Usually it is a lack of several micronutrients and not just one. But there are some symptoms that can give alerts.

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LACK OF MICRONUTRIENTS IN THE ANUBIAS

All the micronutrient deficiencies they are difficult to diagnose because more than one nutrient is often missing. Only the most common symptoms are listed below.

Iron and Manganese. When there is excess calcium, it usually occurs in soils that have a very alkaline pH or with a pH that exceeds 7 points. This is when the young leaves turn white or yellow and die. For its part, if manganese is not enough, it can cause a kind of speckles or stains inside the veins, although the edge is still green.

Copper and Boron. If there is not enough copper, the new leaves of the anubias will turn yellow and begin to twist sideways. When there is not enough boron, the terminal bud turns yellow and begins to decompose. Also, anubias grow slower than they should.

ORGANIC FERTILIZERS

There is a lot of controversy about chemical or inorganic products. Many times we lose sight of that many of the chemicals found in fertilizers are the same as those found naturally in the soil. If you want to know what you are feeding your Anubias, it is best to pay close attention to the labels. You need to find one that has what your plant needs because many of the nutrients may end up being wasted.

Keep in mind that a fertilizer is not a medicine, it is not something that cures plants from pests or diseases. This situation should be avoided with the water conditions that your plant needs. When organic fertilizers are not used, they are unable to improve substrate conditions, but inorganic fertilizers can do this.

In conclusion, anubias are plants that do not require much care. If you have an aquarium where your fish and other inhabitants are in good health, the anubias will be fine too. Remember that the living beings in the aquarium need care, responsibility and attention. You should always try to reproduce natural living conditions when you have an aquarium at home.

Other articles of interest may be:
How to Eliminate Aquarium Algae - Causes and Most Effective Treatments
Caridines and Neocaridines - File and Care Aquarium Prawns

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