Anubias barteri var. nana 'Pangolino'

Anubias barteri var. nana 'Pangolino' key facts

Growing Difficulty

Beginner-friendly

Lifespan

Perennial; maintained by division

Size

Plants about 1–3 cm

Temperature

22〜26℃

Watering

Grows without CO2 or fertiliser

Lighting

Like other nana it grows in low light; avoid excessive light, which lets algae settle on the tiny leaves.

CO2 & Fertilizer

CO2 is not required but speeds growth somewhat.

Water Temperature & Quality

The optimum for var. nana is 22–26°C; not fussy about water chemistry.

Substrate & Attachment

The rhizome rots easily if buried. Tie it to driftwood or stone with fishing line, or plant it with the rhizome resting on top of the substrate.

Trimming & Propagation

Extremely slow. It can be divided at the rhizome, but do not split it into very small pieces.

Cautions

Rinse the agar off tissue-culture plantlets before use. Never release plants into the wild.

About Anubias barteri var. nana 'Pangolino'

A compact Anubias cultivar with some of the smallest leaves in the group, ideal for nano aquarium hardscapes. Beginner-friendly and easy to propagate by division.

7 things to know before growing Anubias barteri var. nana 'Pangolino'

1. 1Keep Light Moderate

   Anubias Nana Pangolino doesn't need strong lighting and thrives even in the shadier parts of a tank. Because bright light tends to encourage algae growth, it's best kept under weaker light than most other aquatic plants.

2. 2Attach to Stone or Wood

   Planting the rhizome directly into substrate can cause it to rot, so it's typically tied or glued onto stones or driftwood instead. Over several weeks, the roots grow to grip the surface on their own.

3. 3Substrate Doesn't Matter Much

   Since the plant is grown attached to hardscape rather than rooted in substrate, the type of substrate underneath isn't critical. Soil or gravel both work fine as long as there's room for the roots to spread.

4. 4Propagate by Division

   As the rhizome grows and leaves become crowded, you can cut the rhizome to create new plants through division. Aim to divide it so each new piece keeps some leaves and roots attached.

5. 5Avoid Sudden Temperature Swings

   As a tropical perennial, it doesn't tolerate extremely low water temperatures well. Keeping the water temperature stable year-round helps prevent leaf damage and keeps the plant healthy long-term.

6. 6Check Leaf Color and Layering

   When choosing a specimen, look for firm, dark green leaves that overlap in the pangolin-scale pattern the cultivar is known for. Avoid plants with discolored or mushy rhizomes.

7. 7Growth Is Slow

   Like Anubias in general, Pangolino grows quite slowly. Gently wiping algae off the leaves with a soft cloth helps keep their appearance clean.

Frequently asked questions about Anubias barteri var. nana 'Pangolino'

Q.Can it be grown emersed, out of water?

A.Yes, as a perennial it can also be grown emersed as long as humidity is kept high. It's often attached to stone or driftwood in paludarium-style setups the same way it is underwater.

Q.How is it different from regular Anubias Nana?

A.Pangolino is a selected cultivar with notably smaller leaves than standard Anubias Nana, and its narrow dark green leaves overlap as they grow. Each plant stays compact at around 1 to 3 cm, which is why it's favored for nano aquariums.

Q.How large does it grow?

A.Each plant is said to stay around 1 to 3 cm in size. Because it's one of the smallest-leaved Anubias cultivars, it's easy to fit multiple plants closely together even in a nano aquarium layout.

Q.How long can it be kept alive?

A.As a perennial, it can be kept growing for a long time under suitable conditions. When the rhizome extends and leaves become crowded, dividing the plant lets you refresh and maintain it over the years.

Q.Is it suitable for beginners?

A.Yes, it's considered beginner-friendly and can be grown without specialized equipment. Keeping it out of strong light and attached to stone or driftwood makes it manageable even for first-time growers.

Handy Growing Tools for Anubias barteri var. nana 'Pangolino'

Learn more about Anubias barteri var. nana 'Pangolino' in the encyclopedia

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