Last Updated on September 8, 2024 by Sara Rose
Learn everything you need to know about Anubias Nana Narrow Leaf, a small bushy plant.
Anubias Nana Narrow Leaf is a smaller as well as the bushier version of the well-known Anubias plant. Its attractive dark green leaves have many benefits, and among other things, it has the ability to keep your tank water clean and oxygenated.
Adding this plant to an aquarium can be quite daunting, especially for beginners, but the good news is that it is very durable and able to withstand all beginner mistakes. Well that’s a great thing, isn’t it?
Therefore, stay with us because we will teach you how to care for Anubias Nana Narrow Leaf, including ideal setups, propagation techniques, and much more.
Table of Contents
Description Of The Plant
Anubias Nana Narrow Leaf is a (very similar) variation of Anubias Nana but differs in that the leaves are narrower and the plant is much more compact. This plant comes from the Araceae family and is native to Africa (Cameroon and Nigeria).
This plant has brilliant green leaves that are generally waxy in appearance as well as thick and hardy. Also, the leaves branch off from the stem to take on their characteristic shape. It usually grows around 7.5 inches (maximum), but its size can vary depending on the conditions of the aquarium tank.
Since it is short, Anubias Nana Narrow Leaf is mainly used to cover lower levels. Furthermore, each of its stems is planted into the substrate which is why this plant doesn’t float on the surface.
Things You Need To Pay Attention To
There are a few things you need to pay attention to when it comes to your Anubias Nana Narrow Leaf, read more below.
Buying Anubias Nana Narrow Leaf Plant
When you find yourself in a store, choose the healthiest plant possible. It will be very simple because you can be guided by its color. Namely, this plant is naturally dark green, so if the colors have faded or there are brown or yellow spots, skip it. These are the first signs that something is wrong with the plant.
Another thing you need to pay attention to are the leaves, namely, they can be heavy, which means that your plant has a strong stem. Avoid any drooping plants that you think are unable to withstand their own weight.
The last thing you need to do is check for general damage. Rips on plant leaves are not a good thing as they could limit photosynthesis and slow growth. In addition, keep in mind that damaged Anubias Nana Narrow Leaf plants are also less likely to survive once you replant them in the tank.
After all, this is a fairly popular plant that can be found in almost every aquarium equipment store. This also makes it cheap and accordingly you can get a healthy plant for less than $ 5.
Special Tank Requirements
Your Anubias Nana Narrow Leaf plant needs a range of 72-82 ° F, with a pH somewhere between 6 and 7.5, and 3-8 KH. Furthermore, it thrives in fine-grained substrates because only this type of substrate is gentle enough to protect its roots and firm enough to anchor it in place.
As for the light, it does not need special lighting; in fact, standard aquarium light will do its job quite well. It is important to emphasize that the plant should not be kept in the shade. Due to its size, your favorite Anubias Nana Narrow Leaf plant can be kept in small tanks of around 10 gallons.
Maintenance & Care
We think that all aquarists will agree that this plant is the easiest plant to maintain. Namely, it needs trimming every now and then, therefore, only when its stems become too long.
As before, you will need to make sure that the cleanliness of the aquarium tank is at an enviable level as the buildup of pollutants will gradually become toxic and kill any life in your tank. In addition, a clean tank means clean water, which makes the light more accessible to your plants for photosynthesis.
As the plant grows it simultaneously takes in nutrients from the water. Therefore if you notice that your plant is not doing well enough, there are plenty of nutrient supplements as well as nutrient-rich substrates that you can buy in stores.
Parasites & Diseases
It’s a common misconception that aquarium plants are only susceptible to one or two diseases. Unfortunately, your Anubias Nana Narrow Leaf plant can succumb to a variety of fungal and bacterial infections.
They try to conduct regular inspections of your plant and pay special attention to the following: changes in color, growth patterns, and leaf markings. If you notice something is wrong with the plant, bring it up with your local aquatic store’s staff for a consultation.
In Conclusion
The Anubias Nana Narrow Leaf plant is ideal for keeping in most freshwater aquarium setups. All it takes for it to thrive are good water parameters, lots of light, and a soft substrate. This plant is suitable for people of all experience levels because of its hardy nature. Rare are those who regretted after buying it.
We hope you found this article useful. If you have any questions, let us know in the section below.
You might also like the article The Secret To Setting Up Red Eyed Tree Frog Tanks
FAQs
Can Anubias Nana Be A Floating Plant?
Anubias Nana can be a floating plant, moreover, it can be floated in the tank or attached to decorations, whichever suits you better.
How Do You Increase Anubia Growth?
If you want your Anubias to grow faster, simply boost your lights, co2, and fertilizers. This, as with most other aquarium plants, should be enough for your plant to start growing and developing faster.
Can You Plant Anubias Nana In Substrate?
That would be true, you can plant your Anubias Nana in the substrate. In addition, it can grow quite well even when attached to aquarium decorations and ornaments.
Does Anubias Need To Be Submerged In Water?
Your Anubias plant doesn’t necessarily have to grow submerged. Moreover, this type of plant generally grows better emerged, that is, with their leaves out of the water.