Anubias Barteri 'Minima' is a variety of Anubias barteri selected for its distinctly narrow, elongated leaf form — long, lance-shaped leaves that taper to a pointed tip rather than the broad, oval-to-heart-shaped leaves of standard barteri and its other varieties. Where Anubias Barteri 'Round Leaf' emphasises breadth and roundness and Anubias Barteri 'Wrinkled' emphasises surface texture, Minima emphasises leaf length and slenderness — producing a Anubias that reads as fine and upright rather than broad and low, and that introduces a distinctly different leaf silhouette into layouts where standard barteri or Nana are already present. The narrow leaves accumulate biofilm along their surfaces and provide the same epiphyte attachment point and low-maintenance shrimp-safe qualities shared by all Anubias in the catalog. Like all Anubias, the rhizome must remain fully above substrate. Fully safe with all Neocaridina, Caridina, and snails.
Not RequiredCO₂
72–82°FTemperature
Low–MedLighting
What to Expect
Leaf Form, Growth & Placement
Long, narrow lance-shaped leaves tapering to a pointed tip — the defining characteristic of Minima versus other barteri varieties is the slender, elongated leaf form — leaves are substantially longer relative to their width than standard barteri, creating a graceful, upright silhouette in the midground that reads as lighter and more fine-textured than the bold, broad-leafed presence of larger Anubias varieties. Each leaf emerges upright and holds that posture through maturity, giving a group of Minima a neat, ordered appearance from the front of the tank.
Deep, consistent green that holds under low light without yellowing — like all Anubias, Minima maintains its deep, consistent green colour across a wide range of light levels — from very low light where most plants struggle to remain green, through medium light where growth is optimal. The narrow leaf form means each leaf reflects light slightly differently than broader leaves of the same species, giving individual leaves a slightly more three-dimensional quality under direct overhead or angled lighting.
Slow, deliberate growth — each new leaf visible and significant — Anubias adds new leaves at a measured pace — one leaf at a time over weeks. Because each leaf of Minima is narrow and distinct, each new leaf is clearly visible as an addition to the plant. Over months a single rhizome develops into a multi-leafed arrangement with clear structure; over years into a substantial specimen. The slow growth pace means the plant remains manageable indefinitely without trimming — Minima does not outgrow its position.
Rhizome must remain fully above substrate at all times — attach to driftwood or stone with cotton thread or super glue gel. The rhizome is the central horizontal stem from which roots descend and leaves emerge — burying it causes rot that will kill the plant. In an established attachment the roots grow into crevices in the hardscape and anchor the plant securely without substrate contact.
Biofilm accumulation on narrow leaf surfaces — constant shrimp grazing — the upper and lower surfaces of each leaf develop biofilm that shrimp graze continuously. The narrow, upright form of Minima leaves makes individual shrimp visible as they graze — easier to observe than on the broader leaves of larger Anubias varieties where animals can obscure themselves behind the leaf width.
How to Set It Up
Getting Started
1Attach rhizome to driftwood or stone — do not plant in substrate — secure the rhizome flat against the hardscape surface with cotton thread tied loosely over it at two points, or apply a small dot of super glue gel to the hardscape and press the rhizome onto it. Allow the glue to cure for 60 seconds before submerging. The rhizome should lie horizontally on the hardscape surface with leaves pointing upward and roots hanging downward or into crevices.
2Position in the midground on fine-branched or upright driftwood — the narrow, upright leaf form of Minima suits fine-branched or vertically oriented driftwood where the slender leaves have room to extend upward without being crowded. On broad, horizontal driftwood the narrow leaves may look slightly lost — the plant reads more effectively when the hardscape scale matches the fine scale of the leaves.
3Low to medium light — avoid excessive intensity that promotes algae on leaves — Anubias is susceptible to algae growth on slow-growing leaf surfaces under high light. Position Minima in a zone with lower to medium light — naturally shadowed by taller plants, floating plant cover, or positioned at the sides of the tank away from the fixture centre. Consistent moderate light sustains healthy growth without creating the algae-prone conditions that high light on slow-growing leaves produces.
4Fertilise consistently with liquid formula including iron — balanced liquid fertiliser dosed two to three times weekly supports the steady production of new leaves and maintains the deep green colour of established leaves. Iron is particularly important for the richness of the green — without it new leaves emerge pale and the established colour depth fades over time.
💡 Bonus Tip
Minima attached to a piece of upright driftwood immediately behind a group of Bucephalandra on lower hardscape creates the most effective within-genus Anubias contrast pairing available when combined with standard barteri on adjacent driftwood — the very narrow upright Minima leaves behind, the broad oval barteri leaves to one side, and the iridescent small-leafed Buce in front produce a three-layer midground composition spanning all the key visual variables — leaf width, leaf height, leaf texture, and colour quality — in a single coherent hardscape arrangement.
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Browse more aquatic plantsPair Minima with standard Anubias barteri, Bucephalandra, or Java Fern for a complete hardscape planting. Browse our Aquatic Plants collection.
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