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PlantbeginnerFreshwater

Anubias Gracilis

Anubias gracilis

PlantaeTracheophytaMagnoliopsidaAraceae

📍 West Africa (Guinea, Sierra Leone)

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A distinctive species with arrowhead-shaped, triangular leaves held on long, elegant petioles above the rhizome. The leaf shape sets it apart from other Anubias species and gives the scape a more dynamic, textured look. Grows taller than A. nana but slower than A. barteri. Ideal for attaching to large pieces of driftwood or elevated rock structures.

Common Diseases

Rhizome Rot

Symptoms

Soft, mushy rhizome; foul odor; leaf yellowing and melting

Treatment

Remove affected plant, trim rotted portions with sterile tools, and replant in clean substrate. Improve water circulation and reduce organic buildup. Ensure rhizome is not buried.

Algae Overgrowth (Black Beard Algae)

Symptoms

Dark, hair-like algae coating leaves and rhizome; reduced photosynthesis

Treatment

Manually remove affected leaves; reduce light duration to 6-8 hours daily; increase water changes. Add algae-eating shrimp or fish. Avoid excess nutrients.

Nutrient Deficiency

Symptoms

Pale or yellowing new leaves; stunted growth; transparent patches on foliage

Treatment

Dose liquid all-in-one fertilizer weekly at recommended strength. Ensure adequate lighting (low-medium) and stable water parameters. Monitor for improvement over 4-6 weeks.

Melting

Symptoms

Rapid leaf dissolution; transparent or mushy foliage; plant appears to shrink

Treatment

Often occurs during acclimation to new conditions. Maintain stable temperature (72-82°F), pH (6.0-7.8), and perform 25% weekly water changes. Trim dead leaves and allow new growth.

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Quick Facts

co2
Not required
light
Low to medium
max size
20–30 cm (8–12 in) tall
placement
Midground to background
substrate
None — attach to hardscape
growth rate
Slow

Water it likes

ph
6.0–7.8
notes
Very tolerant of low tech conditions. One of the few truly triangular-leaved Anubias.
hardness
2–10 dGH
temperature
162–180°F (72–82°C)

Stats

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Growing in0 tanks