Algae on Anubias and other slow growers is one of the most common planted-tank frustrations. The good news: it’s almost always fixable. Here’s how.
Quick answer: Gently wipe affected leaves or trim badly covered old ones, improve water flow around the plant, and add a clean-up crew of Amano shrimp, nerite snails or otocinclus. Prevent regrowth by cutting lighting to about 8 hours a day, keeping up regular water changes, not overfeeding, and dosing fertiliser consistently so plants — not algae — use the nutrients. Slow growers like Anubias attract algae simply because each leaf sits in the tank for months.
Why it happens
Because Anubias and Bucephalandra grow slowly, each leaf sits in the tank for months — a long window for algae to settle, especially under strong or long lighting with excess nutrients.
How to remove it
- Gently wipe affected leaves, or trim badly covered old leaves.
- Spot-treat stubborn spots and improve water flow around the plant.
- Add a clean-up crew: Amano shrimp, nerite snails or otocinclus.
How to prevent it
- Reduce lighting to ~8 hours a day and avoid intense light on slow growers.
- Keep up regular water changes and don’t overfeed.
- Dose ferts consistently so plants (not algae) use the nutrients.
Start with healthy, algae-free stock — browse our Anubias and ferns & mosses, shipped across India with a live-arrival guarantee.
Prevention helps too — see which plants naturally help reduce algae.
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