Anubias Gracilis - Tropica

Anubias gracilis | An Elegant and Distinctive Anubias From West Africa

Anubias gracilis is one of the most elegant and visually distinctive members of the Anubias family — and one that stands apart from more common varieties thanks to its uniquely shaped foliage. Native to the rivers and streams of West Africa, this beautiful species produces striking triangular, arrowhead-shaped leaves of 2–4 inches (5–10 cm) held on long, slender leaf stems that give the plant an open, airy, almost architectural quality that broader-leaved Anubias varieties simply don't have. In a well-designed aquascape, Anubias gracilis adds a graceful, refined texture that complements both fine-leaved stem plants and bold, broad-leaved species equally well.

Despite its elegant appearance, Anubias gracilis is as tough and forgiving as any plant in the hobby — an excellent choice for beginners and experienced aquarists alike who want something a little more unusual than the ubiquitous Anubias nana or barteri without sacrificing any of the hardiness the genus is renowned for.

Care at a Glance

• Scientific name: Anubias gracilis
• Origin: West Africa
• Type: Rhizomatous
• Growth rate: Slow
• Height: 6–14 inches (15–35+ cm) — can grow significantly larger when allowed to grow emersed
• Light demand: Low — tolerates a wide range of lighting conditions
• CO2: Not required
• Best placement: Midground to background, attached to hardscape or planted in substrate with rhizome exposed

Planting Tips

Anubias gracilis can be attached to driftwood, rocks, or other hardscape using fishing line, thread, or aquarium-safe glue — the most natural and visually effective method. It can also be planted directly in the substrate, provided the rhizome — the thick horizontal stem from which the leaves and roots emerge — remains fully exposed above the surface at all times. Burying the rhizome will cause it to rot and kill the plant.

In open-top aquariums, Anubias gracilis can be allowed to grow emersed above the waterline, where it will develop into a significantly larger and more imposing plant — a striking feature in paludariums and open aquascapes.

Compatible With

• All community fish, shrimp, and snails
• Its tough, leathery leaves make it resistant to plant-eating fish — an excellent choice for cichlid and larger fish tanks
• Particularly beautiful as a midground plant where its long leaf stems and triangular leaves can be fully appreciated