Anubias congensis / Congo anubias (Anubias congensis) care guide

Quick facts

Max height: 40 cm
Growth rate: slow
Difficulty: beginner
Placement: midground, background
Propagation: rhizome division

Water parameters

Temperature: 22–28°C
pH: 5.5 to 8.0
Hardness: 0 to 25 dGH

Light and nutrients

Lighting: low
CO2: not required, but boosts growth and color
Substrate: epiphyte
Feeding: feeds from the water column (use liquid fertilizer)

Substrate

What this plant roots into (or attaches to). The substrate affects both plant nutrition and water chemistry; see each linked page for full effects.

Substrate	pH effect	Nutrient load
Wood and rock mounts (Hardscape mount)	varies by source	none
Inert sand (Pool filter sand)	neutral / inert	none
Inert gravel (Aquarium gravel)	neutral / inert	none
Limestone gravel (Crushed coral)	raises pH	none
Bare bottom (no substrate) (Bare bottom)	not applicable	none
Aquasoil (ADA Amazonia)	lowers pH	very high
Mineralized clay substrate (Seachem Fluorite)	neutral / inert	moderate

This plant feeds primarily from the water column, so substrate choice matters more for its fish-tank compatibility than for plant nutrition.

With fish

Plant-eating fish: safe with plant-eating fish (tough leaves or unpalatable)
Diggers (corydoras, loaches): fine - root system or attachment style handles it
Root-disturbing fish: tolerates fish that disturb roots

Habitat

Native to tropical West and Central Africa, primarily the Congo River basin (Democratic Republic of Congo, Republic of Congo). The species (Anubias heterophylla, often sold as A. congensis) produces much larger leaves than A. barteri or A. nana: individual leaves are 15–30 cm long, elongated and lance-shaped, with a lighter green coloring than the dark-leaved barteri varieties. The plant grows from a thick rhizome and can form impressive rosette-like clusters in large tanks. Found growing on rocks and submerged wood in forest streams. Less commonly available than A. barteri or A. nana in the trade but offered by specialty aquatic plant retailers. Less commonly stocked than A. barteri or A. nana but available from online aquatic plant retailers and specialty shops that carry a wider Anubias selection.

Care notes

Same easy care as other Anubias: tolerates low light, no CO2, wide temperature range (20–30°C), and both soft and hard water. The distinguishing feature is size; this is a large Anubias with individual leaves reaching 15–30 cm, suited to tanks of 150 L where it can grow without being cramped. In smaller tanks, it outgrows the space within a few months. Attach the thick rhizome to large pieces of driftwood or rock using super glue, cable ties, or heavy thread. Do not bury the rhizome. Growth is slow (like all Anubias), but each new leaf is substantial and adds significant visual weight to the aquascape. Under moderate lighting, the elongated lance-shaped leaves develop an attractive medium green coloring. High light promotes algae on the broad leaf surfaces; keep light moderate or balance with CO2 and nutrients. The large leaves attract green spot algae in particular; nerite snails are effective at grazing it off. Propagation by rhizome division once the plant has grown enough to cut a section with 3-4 leaves. The large leaves serve practical functions beyond aesthetics: they're egg-laying surfaces for angelfish, discus, and dwarf cichlids, and resting platforms for catfish and loaches. In competition aquascaping, A. congensis is used as a background or midground structural element where its scale anchors the design.