Anubias Plant Rotting – Your Complete Guide To Diagnosis, Rescue
It’s a heart-sinking moment for any aquarium enthusiast. You glance into your tank, admiring your aquascape, only to spot it: your beautiful, hardy Anubias plant is turning into a mushy, brown mess. The leaves look limp, and the base seems to be disintegrating. It’s a frustrating sight, and it can leave you feeling completely defeated.
But please, don’t reach for the trash can just yet! I promise you, this is one of the most common issues new aquarists face with this plant, and in most cases, it’s completely fixable. The problem of anubias plant rotting is almost always caused by one simple, easily corrected mistake.
In this complete guide, we’re going to walk through this together, just like a couple of friends troubleshooting a tank. We will pinpoint exactly why your plant is rotting, perform a simple “plant surgery” to save it, and cover the foolproof best practices to ensure your Anubias not only survives but thrives for years to come. Let’s bring that vibrant green back to your aquarium!
Why Your Anubias is Rotting: Uncovering the Root Cause
Anubias are famous in the hobby for being nearly indestructible. They tolerate a wide range of water conditions, don’t require high light, and grow slowly and steadily. So when you see one failing, it’s usually not because of a complex water chemistry issue; it’s almost always something physical.
This section is a core part of our anubias plant rotting guide, helping you become a plant detective to identify the exact culprit.
Rhizome Rot: The Silent Killer
The most common cause of an Anubias rotting is, without a doubt, rhizome rot. But what even is a rhizome? Think of it as the thick, horizontal green stem from which both the leaves (upwards) and roots (downwards) grow. It’s the lifeblood and central artery of the entire plant.
Unlike plants that are meant to be buried in substrate, the Anubias rhizome must be exposed to the water column. When it’s buried under sand or gravel, it essentially suffocates. It can’t exchange gases or absorb nutrients efficiently from the water, leading to a slow, mushy decay that spreads throughout the plant.
Leaf Melt vs. True Rot
It’s important to distinguish between a single dying leaf and a full-blown rotting event. A leaf turning yellow and eventually melting away can be a normal part of the plant’s life cycle, or a sign of it acclimating to a new tank.
True rot, however, starts at the base. You’ll notice the rhizome itself becoming soft, brown, or black, and it will often have a foul, swampy smell. This decay then travels up into the base of the leaves, causing them to fall off and decompose. If the rhizome is rotting, the entire plant is in critical danger.
The #1 Culprit of Anubias Plant Rotting: Burying the Rhizome
If you take only one piece of advice from this article, let it be this: Do not bury the Anubias rhizome! I cannot stress this enough. This single mistake accounts for probably 95% of all cases of anubias plant rotting that I’ve ever seen or heard about.
When you buy a new Anubias, it often comes in a little plastic pot with rock wool. It’s natural to think you should “plant” it like any other aquarium plant by pushing it down into your substrate. This is a trap!
Burying the rhizome cuts off its access to oxygen and light, causing it to decay. The roots that grow down from the rhizome are perfectly fine to go into the substrate—in fact, they will help anchor the plant. But that thick, horizontal stem must stay out in the open water. This is one of the most critical anubias plant rotting tips you will ever receive.
Your Anubias Plant Rotting Rescue Guide: A Step-by-Step Surgery
Okay, you’ve diagnosed the problem. The rhizome is soft and smelly. Don’t worry! It’s time to play plant surgeon. Grab a clean workspace next to your tank, and let’s get to work saving your Anubias.
Gently Remove the Plant: Carefully take the Anubias out of your aquarium. If its roots are tangled in decor or deep in the substrate, be as gentle as possible to minimize further damage.
Inspect and Identify the Rot: Lay the plant on a damp paper towel. Gently feel the rhizome. Healthy parts will be very firm, like a raw carrot. The rotting sections will be soft, mushy, and easily squished. They will also likely be dark brown or black. Now for the pro tip: give it a sniff. Rot has a distinct, unpleasant smell of decay. Your nose is a great tool here!
Perform the Amputation: Using a sharp, clean pair of aquarium scissors or a razor blade, carefully cut away all the soft, rotting parts of the rhizome. Don’t be shy! You need to cut until you only see healthy, firm, light-green or whitish tissue. Leaving even a small amount of rot behind can allow it to spread again.
Remove Dead Leaves: Any leaves whose stems are connected to the rotted parts of the rhizome should also be trimmed off at their base. They won’t recover and will only decay in your tank.
Re-attach, Don’t Re-bury: Now for the most important step. Take the healthy remaining portion of your Anubias and attach it to a piece of driftwood, a rock, or other aquarium decor. You can do this in two easy ways:
- Super Glue Gel: Use a tiny dab of 100% Cyanoacrylate super glue gel (like Gorilla Glue Gel). It’s completely aquarium-safe once it cures. Simply dry the rhizome and the rock/wood, apply the glue, and hold them together for 30-60 seconds.
- Fishing Line or Cotton Thread: Loosely tie the rhizome to the object. The roots will eventually grow and grip onto the surface themselves. Cotton thread will dissolve over time, while fishing line may need to be removed later.
By following this process, you give the healthy part of your plant a fresh start in an environment where it can actually thrive.
Anubias Plant Rotting Best Practices: How to Prevent It for Good
You’ve saved your plant—congratulations! Now, let’s make sure you never have to deal with this again. Following this simple anubias plant rotting care guide will set you up for long-term success. Adopting these sustainable and eco-friendly practices means healthier plants and less waste.
H3: Master the Planting Technique
We’ve covered this, but it bears repeating. Always keep the rhizome above the substrate. Attach Anubias to hardscape like rocks and driftwood. The roots can trail down into the substrate for nutrients, but the rhizome needs to be free in the water column.
H3: Provide Stable Conditions
Anubias are not fussy, but they appreciate stability. They thrive in a wide range of conditions, but here are some general targets:
- Temperature: 72-82°F (22-28°C)
- pH: 6.0-7.5
- Lighting: Low to moderate. Too much light will just cause algae to grow on its slow-growing leaves!
H3: Ensure Gentle Water Flow
Good, gentle water circulation is beneficial. It brings nutrients to the plant and helps prevent debris from settling on its leaves. Just avoid placing it directly in the blast of a powerful filter output, which can cause physical damage over time.
H3: Don’t Overdo Fertilizers
As slow growers, Anubias are not heavy feeders. They will pull most of what they need from the water column. Dosing a comprehensive liquid fertilizer once or twice a week is more than enough to keep them happy and prevent deficiencies without fueling algae growth.
Beyond the Basics: Other Common Problems with Anubias Plants
While rhizome rot is the big one, you might encounter a few other issues. Understanding these common problems with anubias plant rotting and other ailments will make you a true Anubias expert.
Anubias and Algae
Because Anubias leaves grow so slowly and last for a long time, they are prime real estate for algae, especially pesky black beard algae or green spot algae. This is usually a sign of too much light or an imbalance of nutrients in your tank. Try reducing your lighting period, ensuring your CO2/fertilizer levels are stable, and introducing algae-eaters like Amano shrimp or nerite snails.
Yellowing Leaves (Chlorosis)
If new leaves are coming in pale or yellow, or old leaves are yellowing without being mushy, it could be a nutrient deficiency. This is often linked to a lack of iron or nitrogen. A good all-in-one liquid fertilizer will typically solve this issue over time.
Holes in Leaves
Small pinholes that develop in older leaves can be a sign of a potassium deficiency. Again, a comprehensive fertilizer is your best friend here. If you have plant-nibbling fish like some plecos or snails, they could also be the culprits!
Frequently Asked Questions About Anubias Plant Rotting
Can a rotting Anubias recover on its own?
Almost never. Once rhizome rot begins, it is like a gangrenous infection. It will continue to spread until the entire plant has decayed. Intervention by trimming away the rotted sections is the only reliable way to save it.
Why are my Anubias leaves turning yellow and transparent?
This is often called “leaf melt” and can be different from rot. It frequently happens when a plant is moved to a new aquarium with different water parameters. The old leaves, grown in different conditions, die off while the plant grows new ones better suited to its new home. However, always check the rhizome! If the rhizome is firm and healthy, it’s likely just acclimation.
Is it safe to use super glue in my aquarium?
Yes, but it must be 100% Cyanoacrylate. The “gel” versions are easiest to work with. Once it cures (dries), it becomes an inert, waterproof plastic that is completely safe for all aquarium inhabitants. Avoid any glues with special additives or primers.
How do I know if the rhizome is healthy?
A healthy Anubias rhizome will be very firm to the touch, similar to a healthy vegetable like a cucumber or carrot. It should be a light green or whitish-green color. If it’s brown, black, soft, or squishy, it’s a clear sign of rot.
Your Anubias Awaits a Bright Future
Seeing your Anubias plant rotting can be incredibly discouraging, but as you’ve now learned, it’s a challenge you are more than equipped to handle. Remember the golden rule: the rhizome is life, so don’t bury it!
By understanding what your Anubias needs and how to rescue it when things go wrong, you’ve taken a huge step forward in your aquascaping journey. That piece of Anubias you saved will now grow, thrive, and serve as a beautiful reminder of the skill and care you’ve cultivated. Go forth and grow!
- Hydroponics Room Rimworld – Your Ultimate Guide To A Self-Sustaining - December 4, 2025
- Rockwool Slabs Hydroponics: Your Ultimate Guide To An Aquaponics Oasis - December 4, 2025
- Lava Rocks For Hydroponics – The Aquarist’S Guide To A Thriving - December 4, 2025