Shoal & Stem

Species Catalogue

1,376 species — care guides, community photos, water parameters, and tank-mate compatibility.

algae
intermediate

Amphiroa (Jointed Coralline)

Amphiroa fragilissima

algaesaltwater

Delicate, jointed branching coralline algae with alternating calcified segments and flexible joints — looks like tiny white-pink antlers. Forms low tufts on rockwork. A living indicator of good calcium and alkalinity levels. Grazed by urchins but otherwise grows without intervention in a mature reef.

plant
beginner

Anchor Moss

Taxiphyllum sp. 'Anchor'

plantfreshwater

Dark green moss with downward-curving fronds that anchor themselves to surfaces. Less unruly than Java Moss. Good for aquascaping.

fish
intermediate

Angelicus Synodontis

Synodontis angelicus

fishfreshwater
10″·55+ gal·semi-aggr.
plant
beginner

Anubias Barteri

Anubias barteri

plantfreshwater

Anubias barteri is a robust, slow-growing plant with dark-green, waxy leaves that are resistant to herbivorous fish. Like java fern, the rhizome must not be buried. It thrives under low light, though algae can colonise the leaves in high-light environments; shading by taller plants helps.

plant
beginner

Anubias Broad Leaf

Anubias barteri var. barteri

plantfreshwater

The standard Anubias barteri with medium-large heart-shaped leaves. The quintessential beginner-proof aquarium plant.

plant
beginner

Anubias Coffeefolia

Anubias barteri var. coffeefolia

plantfreshwater

Anubias Coffeefolia features deeply corrugated, dark-green leaves with a pronounced bullate (puckered) texture that gives them the appearance of coffee leaves — hence the name. The new leaves often emerge with a reddish-bronze tint before darkening to deep green, adding colour interest even at low light levels. Its compact, low-spreading habit suits midground placement in low-tech planted tanks.

plant
beginner

Anubias Congensis

Anubias afzelii

plantfreshwater

Anubias Congensis (often sold as Anubias lanceolata) produces elongated, lance-shaped leaves on tall petioles, reaching 30–40 cm in height and making it one of the larger anubias suitable for midground to background use. Its upright, narrow leaf profile creates vertical interest against broader-leafed plants. Like all anubias, the rhizome must remain exposed and anchored to wood or rock.

plant
Eeasy

Anubias Frazeri

Anubias frazeri

plantfreshwater

Anubias frazeri is a compact, slow-growing rhizome plant featuring deeply lobed, arrow-shaped leaves with a distinctive dark green coloration. It is slightly smaller than Anubias barteri but larger than Anubias nana, making it an excellent choice for midground placement in aquascapes. Like all Anubias species, it is extremely hardy and requires minimal care.

plant
beginner

Anubias Gigantea

Anubias gigantea

plantfreshwater

Anubias Gigantea is the largest species in the anubias genus, with broad, leathery leaves that can exceed 20 cm in length and reach 60–80 cm in total height in mature specimens. It makes a dramatic focal-point background plant in large aquariums and is equally at home emersed in paludariums. Despite its impressive size it shares the same forgiving, low-maintenance care profile as all anubias.

plant
beginner

Anubias Glabra

Anubias barteri var. glabra

plantfreshwater

Narrow, elongated Anubias with pointed leaves. Grows taller than common Anubias varieties. Extremely hardy epiphyte.

plant
beginner

Anubias Golden

Anubias barteri var. nana 'Golden'

plantfreshwater

Rare yellow-green variant of Anubias Nana. New leaves emerge bright golden-yellow before darkening. Unique colour for a low-light plant.

plant
beginner

Anubias Gracilis

Anubias gracilis

plantfreshwater

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.

plant
beginner

Anubias Hastifolia

Anubias hastifolia

plantfreshwater

Anubias hastifolia is one of the tallest anubias species, with long, spear-shaped leaves that make a dramatic background plant. Like all anubias it attaches to hardscape and is extremely tolerant of low light and neglect. Slow-growing and long-lived.

plant
beginner

Anubias Lanceolata

Anubias barteri var. lanceolata

plantfreshwater

One of the larger Anubias varieties, featuring long lance-shaped leaves with prominent veining and a rich dark green colour. It grows on a thick rhizome and reaches 20–40 cm tall, making it a striking background or tall midground plant in larger tanks. Like all Anubias, it is extremely hardy, grows slowly, and must never be buried — attach it to rock or driftwood with thread or glue.

plant
beginner

Anubias Mini Coin

Anubias barteri var. nana 'Mini Coin'

plantfreshwater

Anubias Mini Coin is a rare cultivar distinguished by its nearly circular, coin-shaped leaves on short petioles, giving it a distinctly rounded aesthetic not found in other anubias varieties. It is highly sought after by collectors and commands a premium price. Care requirements are identical to Anubias Nana Petite, and it performs best as a focal point on a small piece of hardscape.

plant
beginner

Anubias Nana

Anubias barteri var. nana

plantfreshwater

Anubias Nana is the classic dwarf variety of Anubias barteri, producing compact rosettes of small, dark-green ovate leaves on a slow-creeping rhizome. Its diminutive size makes it one of the most popular choices for nano tanks and foreground planting on hardscape. Like all anubias it must be attached to wood or rock — burying the rhizome causes rot.

plant
beginner

Anubias Nana Bonsai

Anubias barteri var. nana

plantfreshwater

An ultra-compact cultivar of A. nana with smaller leaves and shorter internodal spacing, creating a dense, bushy mound on the rhizome. The 'Bonsai' name refers to its miniaturised, tree-like appearance when grown on a small piece of driftwood or stone. Perfect for nano tanks and desktop aquariums. Care is identical to A. nana — extremely forgiving.

plant
Eeasy

Anubias Nana Golden

Anubias barteri var. nana Golden

plantfreshwater

Anubias Nana Golden is a compact, slow-growing rhizome plant prized for its distinctive golden-yellow foliage that intensifies under moderate lighting. This dwarf variety features small, heart-shaped leaves and is ideal for creating focal points in foreground to midground aquascapes. Its hardy nature and low maintenance requirements make it perfect for beginners and experienced aquarists alike.

plant
beginner

Anubias Nana Petite

Anubias barteri var. nana 'Petite'

plantfreshwater

Anubias Nana Petite is a cultivar even smaller than standard Nana, with leaves rarely exceeding 1.5 cm — making it the go-to foreground and carpeting anubias in nano aquascapes. Its slow growth means algae build-up on leaves is its biggest challenge; moderate flow and controlled nutrients help keep leaves clean. Exceptionally popular in Japanese Nature Aquarium style layouts.

plant
Eeasy

Anubias Nana Pinto

Anubias barteri var. nana Pinto

plantfreshwater

Anubias Nana Pinto is a compact dwarf variety of Anubias barteri featuring distinctive variegated foliage with white, cream, and green patterning on its leaves. This slow-growing epiphytic plant reaches only 2-4 inches tall, making it ideal for small aquariums and foreground hardscape placement. Like all Anubias, it is extremely hardy and requires minimal care, thriving in low to medium light without CO2 supplementation.

plant
beginner

Anubias Nana Round Leaf

Anubias barteri var. nana

plantfreshwater

A cultivar of A. nana with noticeably rounder, broader leaves and very short petioles, giving it a compact, dome-like silhouette. The rounded leaf shape is more pronounced than the standard nana and looks especially attractive when grouped. A popular choice for mid-foreground planting on rocks or driftwood in both small and large tanks.

plant
beginner

Anubias Nangi

Anubias barteri 'Nangi'

plantfreshwater

Compact hybrid Anubias (nana × gilletii) with narrow, pointed leaves. Great midground epiphyte for smaller tanks.

plant
beginner

Anubias Pangolino

Anubias barteri var. nana 'Pangolino'

plantfreshwater

One of the tiniest Anubias varieties — even smaller than Petite. Leaves only 5–8 mm (0.20–0.31 in). Perfect for nano aquascapes and detail work.

plant
intermediate

Anubias Snow White

Anubias barteri var. nana

plantfreshwater

A rare variegated cultivar producing ghostly white to cream-coloured new leaves that slowly green up with age. The contrast between the white young growth and mature green leaves is striking. It is slower and slightly more demanding than green Anubias — it needs healthy roots and water but still tolerates low light. Avoid strong fertiliser, which can cause leaves to revert to solid green. A centrepiece plant for collectors and dedicated scapers.

plant
Eeasy

Anubias Stardust

Anubias Stardust

plantfreshwater

Anubias Stardust is a compact, slow-growing rhizome plant featuring distinctive white or cream-colored speckles and spots across deep green leaves, creating a striking starry appearance. This cultivar maintains a small to medium size, making it ideal for aquascaping in foreground to midground positions. Its unique variegation and hardy nature make it a popular choice for both beginner and experienced aquarists.

plant
Eeasy

Anubias Wrinkle Leaf

Anubias barteri Wrinkle Leaf

plantfreshwater

Anubias Wrinkle Leaf is a compact variety of Anubias barteri featuring distinctively textured, deeply wrinkled dark green leaves that create an attractive, sculptural appearance. This slow-growing epiphytic plant is extremely hardy and undemanding, making it ideal for beginners and low-tech aquariums. Its unique leaf texture and small to medium size make it a striking accent plant for aquascaping.

fish
Mmedium

Apistogramma Baenschi

Apistogramma baenschi

fishfreshwater
3″·20+ gal·semi-aggr.
fish
Mmedium

Apistogramma Bitaeniata

Apistogramma bitaeniata

fishfreshwater
2.5″·20+ gal·peaceful
fish
beginner

Apistogramma Borellii

Apistogramma borellii

fishfreshwater
3″·20+ gal·group 2+·semi-aggr.
fish
Mmedium

Apistogramma Iniridae

Apistogramma iniridae

fishfreshwater
2.5″·20+ gal·peaceful
plant
intermediate

Aponogeton Boivinianus

Aponogeton boivinianus

plantfreshwater

One of the most dramatic Aponogeton species, producing enormous leaves up to 60 cm long with distinctively hammered, dark green texture and strong midrib. A true specimen plant for large aquariums. It requires cooler periods to trigger dormancy and re-growth. Leaves arch gracefully, creating a bold backdrop in large layouts.

plant
intermediate

Aponogeton Capuronii

Aponogeton capuronii

plantfreshwater

Rare Madagascar species with translucent, fenestrated leaves similar to the Lace Plant but easier to grow. A collector's alternative.

plant
beginner

Aponogeton Crispus

Aponogeton crispus

plantfreshwater

A bulb plant with long, bright green leaves that have distinctly wavy, crinkled margins. One of the easiest Aponogeton species to keep, tolerating low light without CO2 injection. It goes through natural growth and dormancy cycles — if leaves die back, leave the bulb and it will re-sprout. An excellent low-maintenance background plant.

plant
beginner

Aponogeton Longiplumulosus

Aponogeton longiplumulosus

plantfreshwater

Large Madagascar Aponogeton with wavy, ruffled leaves. Grows from a bulb and can reach impressive size. Hardy and easy — one of the best background plants.

plant
beginner

Aponogeton Natans

Aponogeton natans

plantfreshwater

Floating-leaf Aponogeton with oval lily pad-like surface leaves. Submerged leaves are narrow and translucent. Easy bulb plant.

plant
beginner

Aponogeton Ulvaceus

Aponogeton ulvaceus

plantfreshwater

Aponogeton ulvaceus produces large, translucent, ruffled leaves that add an elegant flowing quality to the aquarium. It grows from a bulb and may go dormant periodically. During active growth it can fill a large area of the tank with minimal care.