Anubias sp. ‘King Kong’ is a rare and striking cultivar of Anubias, prized for its broad, thick, dark green leaves and extremely robust structure. Like other Anubias varieties, it’s slow-growing and easy to care for, making it ideal for aquascaping in low-maintenance tanks.
Type: Rhizomatous aquatic plant
Size: Larger than Anubias nana; thick, rounded leaves
Growth Rate: Very slow
Origin: Cultivar (not naturally found in the wild)
Position in Tank: Midground or hardscape feature
Temperature: 22–28°C (72–82°F)
pH: 6.0–7.5
Water Hardness: Soft to moderately hard
CO₂: Not required (but improves growth)
Type: Low to medium
Note: Avoid intense lighting, which encourages algae growth on leaves.
Best Practice: Indirect, diffused light or shaded areas of the tank
Do NOT bury the rhizome. Attach to:
Driftwood
Lava rock
Slate or decorations
Use: Super glue gel, thread, or fishing line to secure it.
Growth habit: Compact and slow-growing; great for focal points or minimalist layouts
Fertilizer: Liquid fertilizers for water column feeding
Root tabs: Unnecessary
Iron supplements: Can enhance dark leaf color
Substrate: Not needed
Trimming: Remove yellow or damaged leaves at the rhizome
Propagation: Cut rhizome sections (each with 3–4 leaves) and reattach to hardscape
Algae control: Important due to slow growth and broad leaf surface
Problem | Cause | Solution |
---|---|---|
Algae on leaves | Excess light or poor flow | Reduce light, increase flow, add algae-eaters |
Yellowing leaves | Nutrient deficiency | Dose liquid fertilizers, especially potassium and iron |
Rhizome rot | Burying in substrate | Ensure rhizome is fully exposed to water flow |
Safe for: Shrimp, snails, peaceful fish
Excellent in:
Low-tech tanks
Shrimp tanks
Blackwater aquascapes
Hardscape-dominant layouts