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Form of Anubias barteri

Anubias stardust

Anubias barteri var. nana 'Stardust'

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

Also known as Anubias nana Stardust, Anubias barteri nana 'Stardust', Anubias 'Stardust Mini'

FreshwaterBrackishRhizomeRhizome division

Anubias stardust (Anubias barteri var. nana 'Stardust')
Aquarium Plants Factory · Used with permission

Forms · Anubias barteri

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Care at a glance

Light
Medium light
CO2
CO₂ beneficial
Temperature
72–82°F
22–28°C
Max height
2.8 in
7 cm
Growth rate
Slow
Placement
Epiphyte
Type
Rhizome
pH
6.0–7.5
Hardness
2–15 dGH
Spread
3.1 in (8 cm)
Nutrient uptake
Root + water column
Growth region
Submersed or emersed
Difficulty
Easy
Family
Araceae
Origin
Cultivar (parent species native to West Africa)

Overview

Anubias stardust is a tiny variegated nana for nano tanks, and it grows on wood or rock instead of in the substrate. It is an easy plant, though a slow one.

Did you know

Anubias stardust is one of the smallest anubias in the trade. Its leaves are only about 1.5 to 2 cm long, around the size of a thumbnail.

Caring for Anubias stardust

Mount the rhizome on wood or rock and keep it clear of the substrate. Keep the flow gentle, since a plant this small and variegated is more fragile than plain nana.

Give Anubias stardust medium light to bring out the speckling without triggering algae on its very slow leaves. It needs no CO2 but responds well to a little. It feeds through its roots and from the water, and gentle water-column fertilizer suits it.

Remove any melting or fully white leaves promptly. To make more plants, divide the rhizome into pieces with several leaves each.

Good to know

Anubias stardust is one of the newest variegated selections of Anubias barteri var. nana, in the family Araceae. Its small leaves show white veins and a pale petiole, with star-like white speckles over a green base, hence the name. The white comes from chlorophyll-free tissue. As with other variegated anubias, the amount of white shifts with lighting and overall plant vigor.

In the wild

Anubias stardust is a recent variegated cultivar with no wild form. Its parent, the dwarf Anubias barteri var. nana, is native to West Africa. There it grows on wood and stone along shaded, gently flowing streams.

Common questions

Is Anubias stardust a different species from Anubias barteri?

No. Anubias stardust is a form of Anubias barteri. It reaches about 2.8 in (7 cm), against 13.8 in (35 cm) for the species. It wants medium light, where the species wants low. Added CO2 helps it, while the species grows well without. It also differs in difficulty, hardness, feeding, pH, placement and spread.

Does Anubias stardust need to be planted in the substrate?

No. Anubias stardust 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 stardust need CO2?

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

How much light does Anubias stardust need?

Anubias stardust wants medium light. A light sold for planted tanks covers it.

Does Anubias stardust need root tabs?

No. Anubias stardust 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 stardust?

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

How tall does Anubias stardust grow?

Anubias stardust grows to about 2.8 in (7 cm) tall. It grows slowly and rarely needs trimming.

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