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Form of Anubias barteri

Anubias Dark Angel

Anubias barteri 'Dark Angel'

One of 29 forms of Anubias barteri · See all forms →

Also known as Anubias barteri Dark Angel, Dark Angel Anubias

FreshwaterBrackishRhizomeRhizome division

Anubias Dark Angel (Anubias barteri 'Dark Angel')
Aquarium Plants Factory · Used with permission

Forms · Anubias barteri

See all 29 →

Care at a glance

Light
Low light
CO2
No CO₂ needed
Temperature
72–82°F
22–28°C
Max height
5.1 in
13 cm
Growth rate
Slow
Placement
Epiphyte
Type
Rhizome
pH
6.0–8.0
Hardness
2–18 dGH
Spread
5.9 in (15 cm)
Nutrient uptake
Water column
Growth region
Submersed or emersed
Difficulty
Easy
Family
Araceae
Origin
Cultivated selection (parent species native to West Africa)

Overview

Anubias Dark Angel is a dark-leaved anubias for wood and rock that needs almost no care. It is rated easy.

Did you know

Anubias is one of the few aquarium genera that flowers readily underwater, and Dark Angel is no exception. An established rhizome pushes out a small white spathe fully submersed, like a tiny dark-leaved peace lily.

Caring for Anubias Dark Angel

Glue or tie the rhizome to wood or rock. Never bury it, since a buried rhizome rots.

Anubias Dark Angel grows in low light with no CO2, and its dark leaves hold their color anywhere. Strong light mostly buys algae on the slow-growing leaves, so keep it shaded. Feed the water column lightly with a liquid fertilizer, and keep it at 72 to 82°F (22 to 28°C).

New leaves come only a handful a year, so buy the size you want. Trim off leaves that pick up algae. To propagate, split the rhizome into pieces with several leaves each.

Good to know

Anubias Dark Angel is an aroid in the family Araceae. Its cultivar name refers to the foliage, with leaves noticeably darker green than typical barteri and ruffled, undulating margins. It is a recent trade selection with no documented breeder, one of a wave of named Anubias forms out of Asian nurseries. Botanically it remains Anubias barteri.

In the wild

Anubias Dark Angel is a cultivated selection and does not occur in the wild. Its parent species grows along West African streams and river margins as a rheophyte, anchored to rock and wood at the waterline. The plants sit submersed in the wet season and emersed the rest of the year. Like nearly all Anubias in the trade, Dark Angel is farm-raised emersed.

Common questions

Is Anubias Dark Angel a different species from Anubias barteri?

No. Anubias Dark Angel is a form of Anubias barteri. It reaches about 5.1 in (13 cm), against 13.8 in (35 cm) for the species. It also differs in difficulty and spread.

Does Anubias Dark Angel need to be planted in the substrate?

No. Anubias Dark Angel grows attached to rock or wood, so tie or glue the rhizome in place. If you plant its roots, keep the rhizome above the substrate, since a buried rhizome rots.

Does Anubias Dark Angel need CO2?

No. Anubias Dark Angel grows well without added CO2 and suits a low-tech tank.

How much light does Anubias Dark Angel need?

Anubias Dark Angel is a low-light plant, and the light that comes with a standard tank kit is enough for it.

Does Anubias Dark Angel need root tabs?

No. Anubias Dark Angel feeds from the water, so a liquid fertilizer suits it better. Root tabs only help if its roots reach into the substrate.

How do you propagate Anubias Dark Angel?

Anubias Dark Angel propagates by rhizome division. Cut the rhizome into pieces with several leaves each, then tie or plant each piece.

How tall does Anubias Dark Angel grow?

Anubias Dark Angel grows to about 5.1 in (13 cm) tall. It grows slowly and rarely needs trimming.

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