Anubias For Goldfish – The Ultimate Guide To A Lush And Fish-Proof Tank

Keeping live plants with goldfish often feels like an exercise in futility. If you have ever introduced a beautiful bunch of Vallisneria only to find it shredded within hours, you are not alone.

Most experienced hobbyists have faced the “goldfish lawnmower” effect. These fish are notorious for their voracious appetites and their tendency to uproot anything that isn’t bolted down.

However, choosing anubias for goldfish is the single best decision you can make for your aquascape. This hardy, leathery plant is one of the few species that can truly stand up to the boisterous nature of these cold-water favorites.

In this guide, I will walk you through exactly why this pairing works so well. We will cover the best varieties, how to secure them so they don’t float away, and how to keep them algae-free in a high-waste environment.

Don’t worry—this setup is perfect for beginners! By the end of this article, you will have a clear roadmap to creating a stunning, green oasis that your goldfish will love (but won’t eat).

Why Anubias for Goldfish is the Perfect Solution

If you have spent any time in the hobby, you know that goldfish are essentially “water pigs.” They spend their entire day foraging, sifting through substrate, and tasting everything in sight.

Most aquatic plants have soft, delicate leaves that are highly palatable to goldfish. Anubias, on the other hand, possesses a thick, waxy cuticle on its leaves that makes them incredibly tough.

To a goldfish, eating an Anubias leaf is like trying to chew through a piece of thick, bitter cardboard. Most goldfish will take one experimental nip and quickly decide that the plant is not on the menu.

Beyond its durability, Anubias is an epiphyte. This means it doesn’t need to be buried in the substrate to grow; in fact, it prefers to be attached to hardscape like driftwood or rocks.

This is a massive advantage for goldfish keepers. Since the plants are tied or glued down, your fish cannot uproot them during their constant “bulldozing” of the aquarium floor.

Finally, Anubias is a low-light plant. Goldfish tanks often don’t require high-intensity lighting systems, making Anubias the ideal companion for a low-tech, easy-to-maintain setup.

The Best Anubias Varieties for Your Goldfish Tank

Not all Anubias are created equal, and some varieties fit certain tank sizes better than others. When selecting anubias for goldfish, you should consider the scale of your fish and your aquarium.

Anubias Barteri var. Nana

This is perhaps the most popular variety in the hobby. It features heart-shaped leaves and stays relatively compact, making it perfect for the foreground or attaching to small stones.

It is incredibly resilient and can handle the occasional “bump and grind” from a clumsy fancy goldfish like an Oranda or a Ranchu.

Anubias Barteri var. Barteri

If you have a large 55-gallon or 75-gallon tank, the standard Barteri is a fantastic choice. The leaves are much larger and broader, providing excellent coverage and hiding spots.

These larger leaves are also great for catching falling fish food, which your goldfish will enjoy “cleaning” off the surface of the plant.

Anubias Congensis

This variety has more elongated, sword-shaped leaves. It grows taller than the Nana variety and works beautifully as a background or midground plant.

Because the leaves are more vertical, they add a different texture to your aquascape, breaking up the rounded look of other varieties.

Anubias Petite

For those keeping juvenile goldfish or working with smaller accent pieces, Anubias Petite is the way to go. It is essentially a miniature version of the Nana.

While it is smaller, it is just as tough. It is perfect for filling in small gaps between rocks or branches where a larger plant would look out of place.

How to Plant Anubias Without It Rotting

The most common mistake beginners make with Anubias is burying it in the gravel or sand. If you do this, the plant will likely die within a few weeks.

The “heart” of the Anubias plant is the rhizome. This is the thick, horizontal green stem from which both the leaves and the roots grow.

The Golden Rule of the Rhizome

The rhizome must always be exposed to flowing water. If you bury the rhizome in the substrate, it will begin to rot, and the leaves will eventually turn yellow and fall off.

You can let the thin, stringy roots grow down into the substrate, but that thick horizontal stem must stay above the surface.

Attaching to Hardscape

The best way to “plant” anubias for goldfish is to attach it to something heavy. You have three main options for doing this successfully:

1. Cyanoacrylate Super Glue Gel: This is the easiest method. Ensure the glue is a gel type and that the only active ingredient is Cyanoacrylate. Apply a small dab to the rhizome and press it against a rock or piece of wood for 30 seconds.

2. Fishing Line or Thread: You can physically tie the plant to a piece of driftwood. Over time, the roots will wrap around the wood and “grip” it naturally. You can then snip the thread away.

3. Wedging: Simply find a natural crack or crevice in your rocks or wood and gently wedge the rhizome inside. Just make sure it is secure enough that a 6-inch goldfish can’t knock it loose!

Managing Algae on Slow-Growing Leaves

One of the few downsides of Anubias is that it grows very slowly. In the world of aquatic plants, slow growth often means the leaves are prone to Green Spot Algae (GSA).

Goldfish produce a significant amount of waste, which leads to high nitrate levels. High nitrates combined with light are the perfect recipe for algae blooms.

Because Anubias leaves stay on the plant for a long time, algae has plenty of time to take hold. If your leaves start looking fuzzy or covered in dark green dots, don’t panic.

Natural Algae Controllers

While goldfish are the stars of the show, they aren’t great at cleaning algae. You might consider adding some Nerite Snails to the tank.

Nerite snails are excellent at “scrubbing” Anubias leaves without harming the plant itself. Plus, their shells are usually too hard for goldfish to bother.

Light Management

If you are seeing heavy algae growth, try reducing your “photo period” (the time your lights are on) to 6 or 7 hours a day.

Since Anubias is a low-light plant, it will thrive even with moderate lighting. You can also use floating plants like Amazon Frogbit to provide natural shade for the Anubias below.

Nutrient Requirements for Goldfish-Safe Plants

While goldfish provide plenty of “natural fertilizer” in the form of nitrates, they don’t provide everything a plant needs to stay healthy.

Anubias is a heavy feeder of potassium and micronutrients. If you notice the edges of the leaves turning yellow or pinholes appearing, it is likely a nutrient deficiency.

Using Liquid Fertilizers

Since Anubias isn’t usually planted in the substrate, it draws most of its nutrients directly from the water column through its leaves and roots.

I recommend using a high-quality liquid all-in-one fertilizer once a week after your water change. This ensures the plant has the minerals it needs to keep those leaves tough and unappealing to hungry fish.

The Importance of Water Changes

Goldfish keepers should already be doing weekly water changes of 30-50%. This is actually great for your Anubias!

Fresh water replenishes carbon dioxide (CO2) levels and removes organic waste that can stunt plant growth. A clean tank is a healthy tank for both your fish and your flora.

Designing a Goldfish Aquascape with Anubias

Creating a beautiful tank isn’t just about throwing plants in; it’s about layering and composition. Anubias is incredibly versatile for this.

Creating Focal Points

Use a large piece of Spider Wood or Mopani Wood as your centerpiece. Attach several Anubias Barteri plants to the higher branches.

This creates a “tree-like” effect that looks stunning and gives your goldfish plenty of room to swim underneath.

The “Rock Garden” Approach

If you prefer a more rocky look, use Seiryu Stone or Dragon Stone. Glue Anubias Nana into the cracks between the rocks.

This mimics how Anubias grows in the wild—clinging to rocks in shaded tropical streams. It also creates “caves” and visual barriers that can help reduce stress for your fish.

Foreground Accents

Use Anubias Petite on small pebbles scattered across the front of your sand bed. This adds a sense of depth and makes the aquarium feel much larger than it actually is.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can goldfish eat Anubias if they are hungry enough?

While it is technically possible for a very large comet goldfish to damage a leaf, it is highly unlikely. The leaves are simply too tough and bitter. Most goldfish will ignore them entirely in favor of their regular pellets or gel food.

Does anubias for goldfish tanks require CO2 injection?

Absolutely not. Anubias is one of the most “low-tech” plants available. It grows perfectly fine with the ambient CO2 found in most well-aerated goldfish tanks.

How do I propagate my Anubias?

Propagation is easy! Once the rhizome has grown long enough and has several leaves, you can simply use a sharp pair of scissors to cut the rhizome in half. As long as each piece has at least 3-4 leaves, both halves will continue to grow as separate plants.

Why are my Anubias leaves turning yellow?

Yellowing leaves are usually a sign of one of two things: either the rhizome is buried and the plant is rotting, or there is a significant lack of nutrients (usually iron or potassium) in the water. Check your planting method first!

What is the best temperature for Anubias?

Anubias is a tropical plant, but it is incredibly hardy. It can thrive in temperatures ranging from 70°F to 82°F. Since goldfish prefer cooler water (68°F to 74°F), there is a perfect “sweet spot” around 72°F where both the fish and the plants will be very happy.

Conclusion: Success with Anubias and Goldfish

Choosing anubias for goldfish is truly the “cheat code” for a planted goldfish tank. It solves the two biggest problems keepers face: fish eating the plants and fish uprooting the plants.

By focusing on the health of the rhizome and providing basic liquid fertilization, you can maintain a vibrant green environment that enhances the beauty of your fish.

Remember, the key to a successful goldfish aquarium is balance. The plants help utilize the nitrates produced by your fish, while the fish provide the carbon dioxide the plants need to breathe.

Don’t be afraid to experiment with different varieties like Nana, Congensis, or Petite. Each brings a unique texture to your underwater world.

Start small, attach your plants securely to some beautiful driftwood, and watch your goldfish enjoy their new, enriched habitat. Happy fish keeping!