Anarchis is what many refer to as “low light plants”, thrives well in low light or low tech aquariums and makes an excellent beginner plant for those just starting out with aquarium keeping. Not only that, but Anarchis requires minimal care and maintenance which makes it a great choice for new hobbyists; their success will give you confidence to maintain other aquatic creatures successfully.
Anarchis Characteristics
Anarchis thrives in mid to lower light conditions and requires little or no fertilization for its vibrant green coloring.
Its leaves are thick, long and wide, giving it a fern-like appearance. While not necessary, having access to CO2 can encourage faster growth rates.
Anarchis is suitable for both aquarium and non-aquarium setups. It makes a great low tech plant in jars or vases filled with water.
Anarchis Tank Requirements
Anarchis thrives in low to medium lighting conditions.
It is not particularly picky when it comes to substrate types. It can tolerate gravel, sand, bare root and other substrate types; even clay pots if left submerged for prolonged periods (weeks at a minimum).
Water temperatures should never go below 80°F; temperatures below this can cause slow growth or even death in aquatic organisms.
Filtration systems for this plant are not necessary unless you keep fish or invertebrates that could eat it. If keeping with fish, make sure the fish are non-aggressive as no plant can survive being attacked by herbivorous fish.
Anarchis Planting And Maintenance
An aquarium can be home to many types of plants, but one that’s especially easy to care for is the anarchis plant.
This low-light plant is ideal for beginners as it doesn’t need much care or upkeep.
Let’s discuss how to properly and carefully maintain Anarchis in your aquarium.
Planting
Begin by rinsing off your Anarchis plant in a bowl of water. Doing so will rinse away any dirt or debris that has built up during transport from its container to your aquarium.
Once rinsed in a bowl, place your plant directly on the substrate for more stability. You could also choose to plant in a pot and then set that pot into the substrate; this will keep your plant perfectly upright while allowing you to rotate it for different views.
Anarchis plants tend to be quite thick, but can easily be pruned down for use in smaller aquariums or vases. Simply cut away some of their largest leaves and replant those cut pieces of foliage elsewhere on the plant.
Maintenance
Once your plants have been planted, it is necessary to adjust the water parameters for healthy plant growth. Specifically, reduce the aquarium temperature to 80°F or lower; anarchis plants will die if exposed to temperatures beyond this point.
Additionally, ensure there is enough light in the tank for plant growth–anarchis plants require low-light environments. If you cannot provide this ideal atmosphere, consider investing in more powerful lighting or removing this plant entirely from your aquarium.
Trimming
Anarchis plants require little upkeep, usually being able to take care of themselves. However, you should trim their leaves every couple of weeks so they don’t take over your tank.
Additionally, it is important to remove any dead plant material immediately in your tank in order to avoid rotting and creating water problems or an unpleasant odor.
Propagation
If you need to remove plants from your aquarium, sterilized pruning shears should be used for safety. Be sure to carefully take out all leaves and roots before returning them back into their original container or another one until replanting time.
Some plants can be propagated through cuttings, while others require seeds after they bloom. To propagate your anarchis plant, simply cut a leaf from the parent and place it in suitable potting soil. This will encourage roots to form and create an entirely new plant!
Once this step is complete, you can replant the new leaves into your aquarium or another container of water if you have not yet done so.
Repotting
Anarchis plants are highly adaptable and can be grown in a variety of containers. However, they prefer their roots submerged for extended periods of time, so keep this in mind when repotting your plant.
Once your anarchis has outgrown its original container, repotting is necessary. All that’s required for this task is a small pot and some suitable soil mix; after that, your aquarium anarchis can continue its life in comfort.
These plants are highly durable and take up minimal space in your aquarium, making them the ideal choice for any beginner’s setup.
Compatibility Of Anarchis In The Tank
Anarchis are highly adaptable plants that can be used in both freshwater and saltwater aquariums. They thrive well under low light and medium conditions; however, we recommend using them in low-light settings to promote healthy plant growth and vibrant colors.
Though plants can thrive in a variety of environments, there is the possibility that yours won’t make it past a few weeks or months if not provided with the necessary conditions. Without adequate nourishment and care, your plant could begin to show signs of stress and eventually succumb after being kept under these circumstances for too long.
Before purchasing any live aquatic plant, be sure to read its requirements so you can provide it with the ideal conditions for successful growth.
Before adding both plants and fish to a tank together, be sure you know which types of fish may live there as some might find anarchis leaves tasty!
Troubleshooting Anarchis Problems
Yellow Leaves
If your Anarchis plant has yellowish-green leaves, this could be due to low nitrates in the tank. Make sure there’s enough light for plants and check all water parameters before adding more fish.
If your plant shows no visible signs of stress, it should begin to sprout new leaves within a few weeks. However, if the issue persists, you may want to consider removing your fish and making the water suitable for aquatic plant life before adding more inhabitants.
Yellow Leaves at the Bottom Of The Plant
Are you noticing yellow leaves only near the bottom of your plants, it could be due to high nitrates or ammonium in the tank. Check your water parameters and ensure you do regular water changes to prevent this issue from recurring.
If you observe yellowing of leaves only near the base of your Anarchis plant, it could be time for a repotting into a larger container with fresh soil and some fertilizer to promote its health.
Brown Leaves
If your Anarchis leaves are turning brown, they could be suffering from an absence of iron in the tank. Make sure you use a liquid fertilizer specifically designed for plants and follow its directions on the package. Adding driftwood or rocks with exposed edges into your aquarium could also provide extra source of this vital nutrient.
If the base of your Anarchis plant starts to turn brown, this could be indicative of high nitrates or ammonium in the tank. Make sure you have sufficient light and evaluate water parameters before adding more fish. With proper care, the greenery should return within a few weeks if these issues can be kept under control.
If none of these issues apply to your Anarchis, make sure your lighting is adequate and that you aren’t overfeeding your fish. If none of these solutions work for you after trying these methods, it may be time to remove your fish and make the water suitable for aquatic plant life before adding any more tank inhabitants.
Bright Green Leaves
If the leaves on your Anarchis are bright green, it could indicate that there are not enough nutrients or iron in the water for plants to produce chlorophyll. This could occur if there are no fish present and only plants, or if you have started a new tank without adding fish yet.
To remedy the problem, add some liquid fertilizer for aquarium plants to your tank and dose according to the instructions on the packaging. Within a few weeks, you should see your plant begin turning yellow.
If you do not see any results after applying fertilizer, make sure your water parameters are correct and that you are performing regular water changes.
You can also buy liquid root tabs to place under your plant, which provide iron for its roots to absorb. Once this issue has been addressed, any yellow leaves should begin turning green within a few weeks.
Blotchy Leaves
If you notice blotchy yellow leaves on your Anarchis plant, this could be due to several reasons. Firstly, it could simply be the natural pattern created by certain species of comets; unfortunately, there’s nothing you can do about it except hope your fish don’t find them tasty!
If you notice brown patches along with some blotchy leaves on some of your leaves, it could be indicative of a bacterial infection in your tank. This can be caused by poor water conditions or overcrowding which allows pathogens to build up faster. Check all your parameters and make sure to do regular 50% water changes with clean water for best results.
If you notice a brown spot on your leaf, gradually move it to an area with better lighting. If the spot fades away, this could indicate that a bacterial infection was the source and has been resolved. Otherwise, check your water parameters to make sure there are no problems in the tank and consider getting rid of some fish if you’ve overstocked.
Yellow Leaves with White Tips
If your Anarchis is showing yellowish-green foliage at the base and white tips on its leaves, this could be due to a lack of iron in its tank. Typically, this issue can be solved easily with liquid plant fertilizer; you should see noticeable improvement within a few weeks if this is indeed the cause.
If your plants don’t seem to be greening up after applying fertilizer, check your water parameters for nitrates, phosphates, and other compounds which could inhibit iron uptake by plants. Additionally, ensure you’re doing regular water changes with clean water in order to eliminate any impurities that could be causing this issue.
White Spots on Leaves
If you notice white spots on your Anarchis leaves, it could be due to a fungal or bacterial infection. This issue usually resolves itself through better lighting and no tank overcrowding. Alternatively, you could use an antifungal treatment if desired; however, this is usually not necessary.
Brown Spots on Leaves
If your Anarchis is showing signs of brown spots, it could be due to overfeeding or poor water conditions that allow pathogens to accumulate in the tank. Be sure to monitor your water parameters and perform regular 50% water changes with clean, dechlorinated water for best results.
If the problem persists and the brown spots start to expand and resemble holes in leaf tissue, it could be indicative of a rotifer infection. Applying fertilizer should resolve this problem as well.
If your plant is still turning yellow even after adding fertilizer, look into other potential causes of iron or nutrient deficiencies in the tank, such as phosphates or nitrates. Of course, it could also be due to an algae bloom which absorbs all available nutrients in the water – so keep an eye out for that too!
Is Anarchis A Good Addition To Your Aquarium?
Anarchis can make a great addition to any aquarium if you already have fish that thrive in similar water conditions and food supplies as they do.
They need some room in the tank for their roots, so be sure to leave plenty of room between them and other plants when deciding where to put them!
