plant
Anubias vs Java fern
Two low-light epiphytes attached to hardscape. Which suits your tank?
Short answer
Both are near-indestructible and both die if you bury the rhizome. Anubias has thicker, glossier leaves and grows more slowly; Java fern grows faster, reproduces from its own leaves and tolerates a wider temperature range.
Side by side
| Dimension | Anubias | Java fern | Favours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Growth rate | Very slow | Slow | Java fern |
| Leaf texture | Thick, glossy, rigid | Thinner, softer | — |
| Temperature range | 22–28 °C | 20–28 °C | Java fern |
| Propagation | Divide the rhizome | Plantlets form on the leaves | Java fern |
| Algae accumulation | Higher — slow leaves stay a long time | Moderate | Java fern |
| Resistance to plant-eating fish | Excellent | Excellent | Neither |
| Must not be buried | Rhizome | Rhizome | Neither |
Which to choose
Anubias
Choose Anubias for a permanent structural planting on wood or rock, and where sturdy leaves matter — cichlid tanks especially.
Java fern
Choose Java fern if you want the planting to fill in, or if the tank runs cooler.
One caveat
The single most common way to kill either is to plant the rhizome in the substrate. Tie or glue both to hardscape.