Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, the Congos, Angola
Water
freshwater
Maximum size
80 cm
Temperature
24–27°C
pH
6–7.5
Hardness
2–15 dGH (estimate)
Care level
intermediate
Lighting
Low to medium light; CO2 not needed
Care
Anubias heterophylla (family Araceae) grows on rocky ground at the edges of streams and on damp banks from Cameroon south to Angola. Its leaves vary from oval to spear-shaped (hence the name, "different leaves"), up to about 38 cm by 13 cm on stalks up to 66 cm. It has been sold under the trade name 'Anubias undulata'. It is slow-growing and suits spacious tanks or paludariums, doing best partly emersed and not crowded; smaller plants can be kept underwater in aquariums. Keep the rhizome above the substrate. Wikipedia gives 24–27 °C. pH and hardness are our estimate, not from the sources. Sources: Wikipedia (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anubiasheterophylla); Wikipedia, List of freshwater aquarium plant species. Checked October 2026.
Breeding
Divide the rhizome with a clean blade, leaving several leaves on each piece, and attach or plant the pieces as before. New side shoots also form on older rhizomes. Can be grown from seed, but this is rarely done.
Compatibility and tank mates
Tough, bitter leaves are left alone by almost all fish, including goldfish, large cichlids and plant-eaters, which makes Anubias one of the safest choices for such tanks. Safe with shrimp and snails. Tropical.
Last updated 8 October 2026. Community-edited care guide on Aquatic-Auctions.
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