Plant comparison
Spear-leaf Anubias vs Anubias Barteri Nana
How the Spear-leaf Anubias and Anubias Barteri Nana compare on care, size, water and temperament, and which plant suits your tank.
By Mike ElmiraUpdated
TL;DR, Spear-leaf Anubias vs Anubias Barteri Nana
The Spear-leaf Anubias 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. The Anubias Barteri Nana is the more forgiving of the two, which matters if this is an early tank, while the Spear-leaf Anubias rewards a bit more attention. 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
- Spear-leaf Anubias22–28 °C
- Anubias Barteri Nana22–28 °C
pH
- Spear-leaf Anubias5.5–7.5
- Anubias Barteri Nana6–7.5
Hardness
- Spear-leaf Anubias2–15 dGH
- Anubias Barteri Nana2–15 dGH
Full attributes
Every parameter, side by side| Parameter |  PlantSpear-leaf AnubiasAnubias hastifolia |  PlantAnubias Barteri NanaAnubias barteri var. nana |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Plant | Plant |
| Origin | West and Central Africa | West Africa (Cameroon) |
| Family | Araceae | Araceae |
| Temperature | 22–28 °C | 22–28 °C |
| pH | 5.5–7.5 | 6.0–7.5 |
| Hardness (dGH) | 2–15 | 2–15 |
| Flow rate | Low to Medium | Low to High |
| Max height | 20–40 cm | 10–15 cm |
| Difficulty | 2 / 5 | 1 / 5 |
| Light | Low to Medium | Low to Medium |
| CO₂ | Optional | None to Optional |
| Growth rate | Slow | Slow |
Frequently asked questions
Direct answers to the questions search engines and AI assistants surface most often about this species.
Can you keep Spear-leaf Anubias 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 Spear-leaf Anubias or the Anubias Barteri Nana?
The Anubias Barteri Nana is the easier of the two, closer to very easy, while the Spear-leaf Anubias leans beginner-friendly.
Do Spear-leaf Anubias 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 Spear-leaf Anubias and the Anubias Barteri Nana?
Placement and light. The Spear-leaf Anubias works as midground or background, the Anubias Barteri Nana as foreground or midground, and their light needs differ, which is covered in the table.