TankBud

Anubias gracilis

Also known as Spade-Leaf Anubias, Triangle Anubias

FreshwaterRhizomeRhizome division

Anubias gracilis (Anubias gracilis)
Krzysztof Ziarnek, Kenraiz · CC BY-SA 4.0

Care at a glance

Light
Low light
CO2
CO₂ beneficial
Temperature
72–82°F
22–28°C
Max height
15.7 in
40 cm
Growth rate
Slow
Placement
Epiphyte
Type
Rhizome
pH
6.0–7.5
Hardness
2–15 dGH
Spread
7.9 in (20 cm)
Nutrient uptake
Root + water column
Growth region
Submersed or emersed
Difficulty
Easy
Family
Araceae
Origin
West Africa (Guinea, Sierra Leone, Liberia)

Overview

Anubias gracilis is a sturdy, undemanding anubias that suits beginner tanks. It even holds up in African cichlid setups.

Did you know

Anubias gracilis is one of the few anubias with a distinctive silhouette, thanks to its spade-shaped leaves. Most others share the same rounded oval leaf, so it stands out on a driftwood scape.

Caring for Anubias gracilis

Attach the thick rhizome to hardscape, or leave it sitting on top of the substrate, but do not bury it. A buried rhizome rots.

Anubias gracilis grows in low light without CO2, though added CO2 speeds it up. Keep the light low to moderate to avoid algae on the leaves. It feeds through its roots and from the water, so a liquid fertilizer covers it.

Submersed, it stays far smaller and slower than its emersed size, so give it time. To propagate, cut the rhizome into pieces with several leaves each.

Good to know

Anubias gracilis is an accepted anubias species in the family Araceae, not a barteri form, even though some shops label it Anubias barteri gracilis. Its triangular to arrowhead-shaped blades run roughly 7 to 12 cm long. They sit on unusually long petioles that can stretch 30 to 60 cm when grown emersed.

In the wild

Anubias gracilis grows in the wet forests of West Africa, in countries like Guinea, Sierra Leone and Liberia. It lives along stream banks and in seasonally flooded ground as a marsh plant, often emersed. Its rhizome anchors to soil, rock or wood, and its leaves stand on long, slim stalks.

Common questions

Does Anubias gracilis need to be planted in the substrate?

No. Anubias gracilis 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 gracilis need CO2?

No, but it helps. Anubias gracilis can grow without injected CO2, and added CO2 makes it grow faster.

How much light does Anubias gracilis need?

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

Does Anubias gracilis need root tabs?

No. Anubias gracilis 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 gracilis?

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

How tall does Anubias gracilis grow?

Anubias gracilis grows to about 15.7 in (40 cm) tall. It grows slowly and rarely needs trimming.

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