Anubias As A Floating Plant – Your Complete Guide To Shade, Shelter &

Written ByHoward Parker

Ever find yourself staring at your aquarium, wishing for a plant that’s both beautiful and ridiculously easy to care for? You’ve probably heard of Anubias, the trusty, unkillable workhorse of the planted tank world. We’re often told to glue or tie it to rocks and driftwood, with the golden rule being: never, ever bury the rhizome!

But what if I told you there’s an even simpler, more natural way to use this incredible plant? A method that provides unique benefits for your fish and your entire aquatic ecosystem.

I promise, by the end of this guide, you’ll understand exactly why using anubias as a floating plant is one of the best-kept secrets in the hobby. We’ll walk through everything—from the surprising benefits and best varieties to a step-by-step setup and troubleshooting common issues. Get ready to unlock a new level of beauty and function in your tank.

Why Float Anubias? Unpacking the Surprising Benefits

Letting your Anubias float freely at the surface might seem unconventional, but the advantages are undeniable. This simple technique can dramatically improve the health and aesthetics of your aquarium with minimal effort. Here are the core benefits of anubias as a floating plant that have made me a true believer.

Natural Shade and Algae Control

One of the biggest struggles for aquarists is managing light. Too much light often leads to dreaded algae blooms. Floating Anubias creates a natural, dappled canopy at the water’s surface.

This gentle shade diffuses the light reaching the lower levels of your tank, which is perfect for preventing green spot algae on slow-growing plants and glass. It also creates a more calming, natural environment for fish that prefer dimmer conditions, like bettas, rasboras, and many tetras.

A Safe Haven for Fry and Shy Fish

The dangling roots and broad leaves of a floating Anubias create an intricate, three-dimensional shelter. For tiny fish fry or shrimplets, this root system is a life-saving nursery, providing countless hiding spots from larger, hungry tank mates.

Shy or timid fish also find comfort under the leafy cover, encouraging them to come out and display their natural behaviors more often. It’s an instant confidence booster for your aquatic pets!

Unbeatable Hardiness and Simplicity

Let’s be honest: fussing with super glue or fishing line can be a hassle. Using anubias as a floating plant eliminates that step entirely. There’s no risk of accidentally burying the rhizome (the thick, horizontal stem) in the substrate, which leads to rot.

This method is the ultimate “set it and forget it” approach. You just place the plant in the water, and it takes care of itself. It’s a perfect introduction to live plants for absolute beginners.

Enhanced Nutrient Absorption

When floating, the Anubias’s roots are suspended directly in the water column. This gives them first-class access to dissolved nutrients from fish waste and fertilizers.

This direct absorption makes the plant an efficient water purifier, helping to keep nitrates in check. It’s a fantastic example of a sustainable and eco-friendly anubias as a floating plant setup, as the plant actively contributes to a healthier, more balanced ecosystem.

The Best Anubias Varieties for Floating

While most Anubias species can technically float, some are better suited for the job than others due to their size, buoyancy, and growth habits. Choosing the right variety is the first step toward success.

The All-Star: Anubias barteri var. nana ‘Petite’ or ‘Nana’

Hands down, these are the champions. Their small size, compact growth, and natural buoyancy make them perfect candidates. Anubias nana ‘Petite’ is especially ideal, as its tiny leaves and dense structure create a beautiful, miniature floating island.

Other Great Candidates: Anubias congensis & Anubias gracilis

If you have a larger tank and want a more dramatic effect, these varieties can also work well. Their leaves are larger, providing more substantial shade. Just be aware that their weight might cause them to sink more easily, so you may need to give them a little help (more on that later!).

What to Avoid

I’d generally steer clear of very large species like Anubias gigantea or plants with extremely long rhizomes. Their sheer weight and size make them difficult to keep afloat and they can block out too much light, negatively impacting plants below.

How to Use Anubias as a Floating Plant: A Step-by-Step Guide

Ready to give it a try? It’s incredibly simple! This complete anubias as a floating plant guide will have you set up in minutes. Don’t worry—this is as beginner-friendly as it gets!

  1. Select a Healthy Plant: Start with a strong foundation. Look for an Anubias with vibrant, deep green leaves. The rhizome should be firm and healthy-looking, with no soft or mushy spots. Avoid plants with yellowing leaves or signs of algae.

  2. Prepare Your Anubias: If your plant came in a plastic pot with rock wool, gently remove it. Carefully pick away all the rock wool from the roots. Give the entire plant a gentle rinse in dechlorinated water to remove any debris or potential hitchhikers.

  3. The “Float Test”: This is the easiest step of all! Simply place your prepared Anubias on the surface of your aquarium water. Let it go and see what happens. Most healthy, smaller Anubias plants will float naturally, though they might sit just below the surface initially.

  4. (Optional Pro-Tip) Create a Buoyant “Raft”: If your Anubias is a bit heavy and tends to sink, don’t despair! You can give it a little support. A small piece of natural cork bark or even a floating plant ring (often used for fish food) can serve as a life raft. Simply wedge the rhizome into a crevice in the cork or place it inside the ring. This also helps keep it from getting sucked into your filter intake.

  5. Placement and Water Flow: Position your floating Anubias in an area with low to moderate surface agitation. You don’t want it constantly being pushed underwater by a powerful filter outflow. A calm corner of the tank is often the perfect spot.

Anubias as a Floating Plant Care Guide: Best Practices for Success

Once your Anubias is happily floating, its care is minimal. But following these anubias as a floating plant best practices will ensure it doesn’t just survive—it thrives. This is the definitive anubias as a floating plant care guide.

Lighting Requirements

Anubias are famous for being low-light plants. When floating, they are much closer to your light source, so you don’t need a high-intensity light. In fact, too much direct light can cause spot algae to grow on its slow-growing leaves.

A standard LED light on for 6-8 hours a day is more than sufficient. The key is balance—enough light for photosynthesis, but not so much that it encourages algae.

Fertilization Needs

Since it’s not planted in a nutrient-rich substrate, your floating Anubias will get all its food from the water column. A good quality, all-in-one liquid fertilizer is your best friend here.

Dose once or twice a week according to the instructions on the bottle. This will provide the essential macro and micronutrients (like iron and potassium) it needs to grow healthy new leaves.

Water Parameters

The beauty of Anubias is its adaptability. It’s not a fussy plant! It will do well in a wide range of conditions:

  • Temperature: 72-82°F (22-28°C)
  • pH: 6.0-7.5
  • Hardness: Soft to moderately hard water is fine.

Consistency is more important than chasing perfect numbers. As long as your tank is stable, your Anubias will be happy.

Maintenance and Pruning

Maintenance is a breeze. If you see an older leaf turning yellow, it’s best to snip it off at the base of its stem with a pair of aquascaping scissors. This allows the plant to direct its energy toward new, healthy growth. You can also trim the roots if they get too long for your liking, though many fish and shrimp love hiding in them!

Troubleshooting Common Problems with Floating Anubias

Even the easiest plants can have hiccups. Don’t worry! Here’s how to solve the most common problems with anubias as a floating plant.

Problem: My Anubias Keeps Sinking!

This usually happens for two reasons: the plant is too large and heavy, or the rhizome is unhealthy. Double-check that the rhizome is firm. If it is, try the “raft” method mentioned earlier using cork bark or a floating ring to give it the buoyancy it needs.

Problem: The Leaves are Turning Yellow or Brown.

Yellowing leaves often point to a nutrient deficiency, most commonly a lack of nitrogen or iron. Ensure you are dosing a comprehensive liquid fertilizer regularly. Brown, translucent spots can sometimes be a sign of “Anubias melt,” which can happen when a plant is adjusting to new water conditions. Simply trim the affected leaves and give it time to recover.

Problem: Algae is Growing on the Leaves.

Because Anubias leaves grow so slowly, they are prime real estate for algae. This is almost always caused by too much light. Try reducing your lighting period by an hour or two, or dimming the intensity if your light allows. Adding algae-eating shrimp (like Amano shrimp) or snails (like Nerite snails) can also provide a fantastic cleanup crew.

Problem: The Rhizome is Soft and Mushy.

This is rhizome rot, the one true kryptonite for Anubias. Unfortunately, the mushy part of the rhizome cannot be saved. However, you may be able to perform surgery! Use a clean blade to cut away the rotten section completely, ensuring you are cutting back into healthy, firm tissue. The remaining healthy piece can often recover and sprout new growth.

Frequently Asked Questions About Anubias as a Floating Plant

Can Anubias survive long-term as a floating plant?

Yes, absolutely! As long as it has access to light and nutrients from the water column, an Anubias can live its entire life happily floating at the surface. Many aquarists find they grow even better this way due to unrestricted access to CO2 and nutrients.

Will floating Anubias still flower?

It sure can! Under stable, healthy conditions, it’s not uncommon for a floating Anubias to produce its unique white flower spathe. It’s a wonderful sign that your plant is thriving in its environment.

Do I need CO2 injection to float Anubias?

Not at all. Anubias is a classic low-tech plant. It gets all the carbon it needs from the natural gas exchange at the water’s surface, making this one of the most effective anubias as a floating plant tips for beginners who don’t want a complex setup.

What fish are good tank mates for floating Anubias?

Almost any community fish will love it! Bettas adore resting on or under the leaves. Gouramis, tetras, and rasboras will appreciate the shade. And as mentioned, it’s an invaluable nursery for livebearer fry (like guppies and mollies) and a foraging ground for shrimp.

Let Your Anubias Float Free!

So there you have it—everything you need to know about the simple, beautiful, and highly effective technique of using anubias as a floating plant. It’s an approach that’s not only incredibly easy but also adds a new layer of natural beauty and function to your aquarium.

By providing shade, shelter, and a touch of effortless green, you’re creating a healthier and more stable environment for all of your aquatic inhabitants.

Don’t be afraid to break the old “rules.” Go ahead, pick out a beautiful Anubias nana, give it a rinse, and let it float free. Your fish will thank you, and you’ll love the unique look it brings to your underwater world. Happy scaping!

Howard Parker
Latest posts by Howard Parker (see all)
Related posts
  • Anubias Nana Propagation – Your Complete Guide To A Lush,
  • Anubias Aquarium Plant Facts – The Ultimate Guide For Lush,