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 is a popular aquarium plant known for its broad, dark green leaves that add a touch of nature to underwater setups. However, you may notice your anubias developing curled or crinkled leaves over time. While not necessarily fatal, curled foliage can indicate issues that need addressing.
In this article, we’ll explore the various causes of leaf curl in anubias plants along with solutions to restore your plants to their former glory.
Overview of Anubias Plants
Native to Africa, anubias plants belong to the Araceae family. There are several species, with Anubias barteri, Anubias nana, and Anubias hastifolia among the most common in aquariums. Emerging from a thick green rhizome, the leaves are thick and leathery.
Anubias grows slowly and thrives in low to moderate lighting. The plants can grow fully submerged or with their foliage extending above the water’s surface. Given their adaptability, anubias requires little maintenance making them perfect for beginners.
What Causes Anubias Leaves to Curl?
A variety of problems can cause the leaves of your anubias plant to curl under, curl up, twist, or otherwise deform from their normal flat and smooth shape. Here are some of the most common reasons anubias leaves curl:
Improper CO2 Levels
Insufficient carbon dioxide (CO2) is one of the leading triggers of leaf curl in anubias. Plants use CO2 for photosynthesis, so without adequate CO2, leaves can warp and deform.
Fluctuating CO2 levels in the aquarium also stresses the plant. Try to maintain a stable CO2 concentration around 5-15 ppm.
Excess Lighting
While moderate lighting suits anubias well, too much light can scorch the leaves and cause them to curl and wrinkle. The more light your tank receives, the more CO2 your plants need to process it But since anubias is slow growing, it cannot effectively utilize intense lighting.
Stick to low to moderate light levels (2-4 watts per gallon) for 10-12 hours daily. Reduce intensity if algae appears.
Nutrient Deficiencies
Lack of essential nutrients like nitrogen, potassium, and iron can also cause odd leaf shapes. Fertilize anubias weekly with a liquid fertilizer to provide a balanced diet.
Use root tabs for iron and trace minerals if you have a nutrient deficiency. Test your aquarium water to identify which nutrients are lacking.
Poor Water Quality
Leaf curl can result from pollutants in the water as well. Ensure proper filtration and perform partial water changes weekly to remove accumulated nitrates, phosphates, and other contaminants.
Transplant Shock
When you move or replant anubias the shock can cause existing leaves to curl and deform. The plant will recover over time, especially if provided with optimal conditions. Trim off the damaged leaves.
Pests
Certain aquatic pests like snails and aphids feed on plant tissue, causing leaves to curl and whither. Check undersides for bugs and remove them. Use chemical treatments if infestations are severe.
Disease
Bacterial and fungal diseases will also distort anubias leaves. Look for blackened roots, white fungal patches and foul odors which indicate disease. Improve water circulation and use antibiotics to clear infections.
Solutions for Curling Anubias Leaves
If your anubias foliage starts curling or otherwise looking unsightly, don’t panic. With a few simple fixes, you can get your plants looking lush and healthy again:
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Adjust the lighting duration and intensity to give anubias moderate levels without overexposing it.
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Use CO2 boosters like Seachem Flourish Excel to increase available carbon for your plants.
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Add fertilizers like Flourish by Seachem to provide macros and micros.
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Increase water circulation with powerheads and bubblers to improve oxygenation.
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Clean the tank thoroughly and siphon the substrate to eliminate waste buildup.
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Use antibiotics, antifungals, and pest treatments if disease, algae or critters are present.
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Trim off the most damaged leaves so the plant can focus its energy on new growth.
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Consider moving the anubias to a shaded spot if it is receiving too much direct light.
Preventing Future Leaf Curling
Once you’ve addressed the causes of curled leaves, keep your anubias happy and healthy by:
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Performing weekly partial water changes of 25-30%.
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Testing and adjusting water parameters regularly.
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Providing moderate lighting of 6-8 hours daily.
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Maintaining stable CO2 around 5-15 ppm.
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Using root tabs and liquid fertilizers to give nutrients.
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Pruning old or dying leaves to encourage new growth.
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Quarantining new plants before introducing to prevent disease transmission.
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Removing algae and debris rapidly to keep the aquarium pristine.
When to Seek Help for Your Anubias
Leaf curl doesn’t always indicate a major issue, and many cases can be corrected with a little attentive care. But if your anubias leaves continue to deform or other symptoms arise, don’t hesitate to seek expert advice, especially if you notice:
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White patches, fuzz, or strange odors indicating a fungal infection
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Leaves turning yellow or brown despite treatment
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Black or softened roots that signal rot
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Stunted growth or plant decline despite your best efforts
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Unusual spots, lesions, or growths on leaves
With some persistence and proper adjustments, your anubias will perk up and regain its lush appearance. Just be attentive to any signs of distress and address problems promptly. Enjoy the beauty these hardy plants provide in your freshwater aquascape.
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.
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.
Anubias Plant Care Guide for Beginners: Easy Tips, Tricks and Tutorial
FAQ
How to tell if Anubias is dying?
What does it mean when plant leaves start to curl?
Does overwatering cause leaf curl?