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Plant comparison

Anubias Coffeefolia vs Anubias Barteri Nana

How the Anubias Coffeefolia and Anubias Barteri Nana compare on care, size, water and temperament, and which plant suits your tank.

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TL;DR, Anubias Coffeefolia vs Anubias Barteri Nana

The Anubias Coffeefolia and the Anubias Barteri Nana are close cousins, both in the Anubias group, so at a glance they ask for a lot of the same things. Both are happy somewhere around 22 to 28 °C and pH 6 to 7.5, so a single tank can suit either one. Neither is harder than the other to keep, so the choice comes down to look and stocking rather than skill. Read the full care notes on each below and pick the one whose look and pace fit the tank you're building.

Group compatibility overview

100/ 100
Grade A

Excellent fit

Every key parameter overlaps and no major conflicts surfaced.

Species2
Min tank,
Conflicts0
ParamsAll overlap

Temperature

22–28 °C overlap
  • Anubias Coffeefolia2228 °C
  • Anubias Barteri Nana2228 °C
15 °C20 °C25 °C30 °C

pH

6–7.5 overlap
  • Anubias Coffeefolia5.58
  • Anubias Barteri Nana67.5
45678

Hardness

2–15 dGH overlap
  • Anubias Coffeefolia215 dGH
  • Anubias Barteri Nana215 dGH
0 dGH5 dGH10 dGH15 dGH20 dGH25 dGH

Full attributes

Every parameter, side by side
Parameter
Anubias Coffeefolia (Anubias barteri)
PlantAnubias CoffeefoliaAnubias barteri 'Coffeefolia'
Anubias Nana (Anubias barteri var. nana)
PlantAnubias Barteri NanaAnubias barteri var. nana
CategoryPlantPlant
OriginCultivar (West African parentage)West Africa (Cameroon)
FamilyAraceaeAraceae
Temperature22–28 °C22–28 °C
pH5.5–8.06.0–7.5
Hardness (dGH)2–152–15
Flow rateLow to MediumLow to High
Max height10–20 cm10–15 cm
Difficulty1 / 51 / 5
LightLow to MediumLow to Medium
CO₂OptionalNone to Optional
Growth rateSlowSlow
Full care profileAnubias CoffeefoliaAnubias barteri 'Coffeefolia'Full care profileAnubias Barteri NanaAnubias barteri var. nana

Frequently asked questions

Direct answers to the questions search engines and AI assistants surface most often about this species.

Can you keep Anubias Coffeefolia and Anubias Barteri Nana together?

Yes. Their temperature and pH ranges overlap around 22 to 28 °C and pH 6 to 7.5, so one set of water conditions keeps both comfortable. Match group sizes and cover the usual planted-tank basics and they share a tank fine.

Which is easier to keep, the Anubias Coffeefolia or the Anubias Barteri Nana?

They sit at the same care level, both very easy, so neither is the obvious beginner pick. The decision is really about the look you're after.

Do Anubias Coffeefolia and Anubias Barteri Nana need the same water?

Close to it. Aim for 22 to 28 °C and pH 6 to 7.5 and you're in the shared sweet spot for both. Full ranges are in the table above.

What's the main difference between the Anubias Coffeefolia and the Anubias Barteri Nana?

Placement and light. The Anubias Coffeefolia works as midground, the Anubias Barteri Nana as foreground or midground, and their light needs differ, which is covered in the table.

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