Anubias rot is an uncommon disease that can affect anubias plants in the aquarium hobby. Unfortunately, there is very little information about how it starts and how to stop its spread. In this article, we explain the symptoms for anubias rot, possible causes, and the best course of action to take if you spot it.
Anubias are one of the most popular aquatic plants for aquariums. Their hardy nature and slow growth make them ideal for beginners. However, even hardy plants like Anubias can develop problems. One of the most common issues is yellowing leaves.
So why are your Anubias leaves turning yellow? There are several potential causes but don’t worry – there are also solutions for reviving your plants.
Overview of Potential Causes
After researching authoritative sources on Anubias care, the main reasons for yellow leaves include:
- Improper lighting
- Lack of nutrients
- Unsuitable water parameters
- Buried rhizomes
- Excess algae growth
- Temperature fluctuations
- Transition period after introducing new plants
The most frequently mentioned causes across sources are lighting problems, lack of nutrients, and issues with buried rhizomes. Let’s explore each cause and solution in more detail.
Lighting Issues
Anubias prefer low to moderate light conditions. If light levels are too high the leaves can burn and turn yellow. On the other hand very low light will hinder photosynthesis and also cause yellowing.
To fix lighting problems:
-
For low light tanks, increase intensity to 6-8 hours of moderate illumination per day. LED or fluorescent bulbs around 6500K are ideal.
-
For high light tanks, reduce intensity and duration to 6 hours maximum per day. Add floating plants to diffuse the light. Position Anubias in shaded spots.
-
Use a timer to ensure consistent daily exposure.
Lack of Nutrients
While Anubias are not heavy feeders, they do require certain nutrients to thrive. Deficiencies in iron, magnesium, nitrogen, and potassium can manifest as yellow leaves.
To supplement nutrients:
-
Use comprehensive liquid fertilizers like Seachem Flourish according to label instructions.
-
Add root tabs near the plants every 2-3 months. Choose tabs with iron, potassium, and micronutrients.
-
Increase fertilization temporarily until new growth appears normal.
-
Ensure proper water circulation so nutrients reach the plants.
Unsuitable Water Parameters
Dirty water or unsuitable pH and hardness levels can also impact Anubias health.
To optimize water conditions:
-
Perform 25% water changes every 1-2 weeks.
-
Test pH regularly and maintain 6.0-7.5 range.
-
Check hardness – Anubias tolerate soft to hard water.
-
Use conditioning products like Seachem Prime at water changes.
-
Increase water circulation with filters and air stones.
Buried Rhizomes
Anubias rhizomes should not be fully buried, as this can cause rotting. Check that rhizomes are only partially covered or fully exposed. If rotting occurs:
-
Carefully uncover the rhizomes and attach plants to hardscape with cotton thread or gel.
-
Remove dead tissue and yellow leaves to reduce stress on the plant.
-
Dose fertilizers to encourage new growth.
Excess Algae
When nutrients and light are excessive, algae can proliferate. This blocks light and consumes nutrients before plants can use them. Prevent algae by:
-
Reducing light duration to 6-8 hours per day maximum.
-
Performing weekly 25% water changes to remove excess nutrients.
-
Manually removing algae from surfaces with each water change.
-
Adding algae eaters like Amano shrimp and Nerite snails to clean naturally.
Temperature Fluctuations
Major shifts in temperature above or below the ideal range of 72°F – 82°F can shock plants. Avoid fluctuations by:
-
Using a submersible heater with external thermostat to maintain stable temperature.
-
Checking water parameters before and after water changes to match temperatures.
-
Placing tank away from drafts, direct sunlight, and appliances that release heat.
Transition Period
When first introduced to a new tank, Anubias may show some yellowing as they acclimate to the environment. Give them 2-4 weeks to adjust before making any changes. Remove only severely damaged leaves to reduce stress.
When to Take Further Action
If addressing the potential causes does not resolve the yellowing after 4-6 weeks, the plants may be suffering from disease or pest infestation. Inspect closely for signs like:
- White patches or cotton-like growths – fungus
- Chewed holes in leaves – snails/fish
- White specks on leaves – scale insects
- Discolored roots – root rot
Treat any pathogens or pests accordingly. Severely damaged plants should be discarded to prevent spreading issues.
With proper care, Anubias are quite resilient and can bounce back from yellowing leaves. Take the time to identify the underlying cause and implement targeted solutions. Test one remedy at a time and wait 4-6 weeks to see if the situation improves before trying another approach. With a little diligent troubleshooting, your Anubias will be back to green and growing again.
Do I Have Anubias Rot?
One of the first symptoms of anubias rot is the loss of leaves. However, unlike the melting caused by emersed-grown leaves, a leaf lost from anubias rot often detaches at the end of its leaf stalk (where it originally connected to the rhizome). The base of the leaf stalk may feel soggy or have a little bit of goo oozing out of the end.
The discolored leaves on this anubias plant are growing from the rotting part of the anubias rhizome.
The most prominent indicator of anubias rot is the state of the rhizome. A healthy rhizome should be very firm to the touch and green in color. An infected rhizome often has a mushy or squishy texture. Plus, it may have discolored areas that look like clear-ish jelly, white, yellow, brown, or black. Depending on how advanced the disease is, it may have a foul, rotting smell associated with it. Finally, roots growing from or near the affected area of the rhizome often become discolored and rot away.
The rhizome is rotting, and the roots growing from the infected area are starting to soften and disintegrate as well.
Why Is My Anubias Dying?
Before we dive into the details of anubias rot, let’s make sure your anubias isn’t suffering from other, more common issues. Firstly, is your anubias plant properly planted? The rhizome of an anubias plant is the thick, horizontal stem from which all its leaves and roots grow from, and it should never be covered up when planting it. If you would like to plant your anubias in the ground, make sure to only bury the roots and leave the rhizome on top of the substrate. If you would like to mount your anubias to hardscape, you can wedge it between cracks in rocks or mount it to driftwood using super glue gel or sewing thread. (For more details on how to use super glue gel in aquariums, read this article.) Eventually, the plant’s roots will grow and wrap around the hardscape so that it becomes difficult to remove.
Sewing thread is a common method of attaching anubias to hardscape. Just be careful not to tie it so tightly that the rhizome is damaged in the process.
Secondly, is your anubias plant still getting used to its new environment? Aquarium plants are generally grown out of water (or emersed) at the plant farms, but when you put them in your aquarium at home, they must get used to living completely underwater (or submersed). This often causes the leaves of your new aquarium plant to melt away, as it absorbs nutrients from the existing, emersed-grown leaves and creates smaller, submersed-grown leaves. Melting does not always occur with anubias (since they are such slow growers), but it’s one possible reason why your plant may be losing its leaves. Another possible reason is that a leaf was accidentally damaged during shipping or when removing the plant from its pot. If your anubias’ rhizome looks healthy and produces new leaves within two to three weeks after planting, then most likely you have a healthy plant on your hands.
5 Ways to SAVE Melting Aquarium Plants Before It’s Too Late
Why are my Anubias leaves light green?
Another reason for lighter green leaves is the formation of new Anubias leaves. When the leaves are new, it’s normal for them to be a lighter shade of green while they are still orientating themselves. Once they are settled, the leaves will then darken and match the colour of the other more established leaves.
Can Anubias grow in low light?
16 Awesome Low Light Aquarium Plants (Mosses, Ferns & Stem Plants) Anubias care is relatively easy compared to other aquatic plants. It can thrive in low light conditions and does not require CO2 injection, substrate or soil to thrive. In this Anubias Care Guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about adding Anubias to your aquarium setup.
Why do plant leaves turn yellow?
Since plants get their lovely green color from chlorophyll, when plant leaves turn yellow (known as chlorosis), it means something is hindering the chlorophyll. And it’s a call for help. The cause of yellow plant leaves may take a little trial and error to discover, as many of the reasons can be either too much or not enough of a good thing.
What causes Anubias melt?
Anubias melt occurs when the leaves of the plant start to disintegrate and fall off. This can happen quickly or over time, depending on the severity of the issue. The cause of Anubias melt can vary, but it’s often related to changes in the aquarium’s environment. Triggers for Anubias Melt sudden change in lighting or water parameters.