Plant comparison
Anubias Coffeefolia vs Anubias Barteri 'Petite'
How the Anubias Coffeefolia and Anubias Barteri 'Petite' compare on care, size, water and temperament, and which plant suits your tank.
By Mike ElmiraUpdated
TL;DR, Anubias Coffeefolia vs Anubias Barteri 'Petite'
The Anubias Coffeefolia and the Anubias Barteri 'Petite' 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 5.5 to 8, 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
Excellent fit
Every key parameter overlaps and no major conflicts surfaced.
Temperature
- Anubias Coffeefolia22–28 °C
- Anubias Barteri 'Petite'22–28 °C
pH
- Anubias Coffeefolia5.5–8
- Anubias Barteri 'Petite'5.5–8
Hardness
- Anubias Coffeefolia2–15 dGH
- Anubias Barteri 'Petite'2–15 dGH
Full attributes
Every parameter, side by side| Parameter |  PlantAnubias CoffeefoliaAnubias barteri 'Coffeefolia' |  PlantAnubias Barteri 'Petite'Anubias barteri var. nana 'Petite' |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Plant | Plant |
| Origin | Cultivar (West African parentage) | Selectively bred cultivar (West African parentage) |
| Family | Araceae | Araceae |
| Temperature | 22–28 °C | 22–28 °C |
| pH | 5.5–8.0 | 5.5–8.0 |
| Hardness (dGH) | 2–15 | 2–15 |
| Flow rate | Low to Medium | Low to Medium |
| Max height | 10–20 cm | 3–7 cm |
| Difficulty | 1 / 5 | 1 / 5 |
| Light | Low to Medium | Low to Medium |
| CO₂ | Optional | Optional |
| Growth rate | Slow | Very slow |
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 'Petite' together?
Yes. Their temperature and pH ranges overlap around 22 to 28 °C and pH 5.5 to 8, 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 'Petite'?
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 'Petite' need the same water?
Close to it. Aim for 22 to 28 °C and pH 5.5 to 8 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 'Petite'?
Placement and light. The Anubias Coffeefolia works as midground, the Anubias Barteri 'Petite' as foreground or midground, and their light needs differ, which is covered in the table.