Anubias congensis
Anubias heterophylla
Also known as Anubias congensis, Anubias barteri var. congensis, Anubias afzelii (congensis trade), Congo Anubias
Care at a glance
- Light
- Low light
- CO2
- No CO₂ needed
- Growth rate
- Slow
- Placement
- Background
- Type
- Rhizome
- Temperature
- 72–82°F (22–28°C)
- pH
- 5.5–8.0
- Hardness
- 2–15 dGH
- Max height
- 15.7 in (40 cm)
- Spread
- 9.8 in (25 cm)
- Nutrient uptake
- Root + water column
- Growth region
- Submersed or emersed
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Origin
- Central Africa (Cameroon, Gabon, Equatorial Guinea, Congo region)
- Family
- Araceae
Overview
A larger Anubias best used as a background or tall midground piece. Tie or glue the rhizome to wood or rock and keep it above the substrate, since a buried rhizome rots. It is undemanding in low light with no CO2 needed, though added CO2 and ferts speed up its slow growth. Leaves last a long time, so wipe off slow algae rather than waiting on new growth, and give it room as the longer leaves can reach 30 to 40 cm.
In the wild
Native to the rainforest streams of Central Africa, ranging from Cameroon and Gabon through the Congo basin. It grows along shaded, slow-moving riverbanks, typically rooted in mud or clinging to wood and rock at the water's edge where it can live submersed or emersed depending on water level.
Good to know
An aroid in the genus Anubias, family Araceae. The plant sold in the hobby as 'Anubias congensis' is botanically Anubias heterophylla; A. congensis N.E.Brown is a recognized synonym. The species name heterophylla ('different-leaved') refers to the variable leaf shape seen across its range. Like all Anubias it produces a spadix-and-spathe inflorescence even underwater.
Did you know
Despite decades of being sold as 'Anubias congensis,' DNA and floral studies place it within Anubias heterophylla, making 'congensis' one of the most persistent misnomers in the aquarium trade.
Where to buy
Some links may not be the exact species or variety.
- Glass Aqua Aquascaping plants and planted tank supplies
- Buce Plant Aquatic plants and aquascaping supplies
- Aquarium Plants Factory Aquatic plants shipped from a California greenhouse
…or ask your local fish store.
Appears in
Low-light plants · No-CO2 plants · Background plants · Beginner plants
Growing Anubias congensis?
Track your planted tank, set reminders and plan your layout.
Related plants
Anubias afzelii
Anubias afzeliiMedium lightBackground15.7 in (40 cm)Anubias hastifolia
Anubias hastifoliaLow lightBackground15.7 in (40 cm)
Anubias gigantea
Anubias giganteaLow lightBackground19.7 in (50 cm)
Anubias gracilis
Anubias gracilisLow lightEpiphyte15.7 in (40 cm)
Anubias barteri
Anubias barteriLow lightEpiphyte13.8 in (35 cm)
Anubias lanceolata
Anubias lanceolataLow lightMidground13.8 in (35 cm)