Anubias Nana and Anubias Nana Petite are two of the most popular aquarium plants for beginners, low-tech planted tanks, shrimp tanks, and aquascapes. They look similar at first glance, but they serve different roles in an aquarium.
The short version: Anubias Nana is larger, bolder, and better for midground placement, while Anubias Nana Petite is smaller, more compact, and better for nano tanks or detailed aquascaping.
Both plants are hardy, slow-growing, and easy to care for. Neither needs CO2 injection, strong lighting, or nutrient-rich substrate. But choosing the right one matters if you want your tank to look balanced.
Use generated photo 1 near the top of the article.
Suggested alt text: Anubias Nana and Anubias Nana Petite growing side by side on aquarium driftwood
Quick Comparison: Anubias Nana vs Nana Petite
| Feature | Anubias Nana | Anubias Nana Petite |
|---|---|---|
| Plant size | Larger | Smaller |
| Leaf size | Medium, broad leaves | Tiny, compact leaves |
| Best placement | Midground, foreground in large tanks | Foreground, nano tanks, hardscape details |
| Growth rate | Slow | Very slow |
| Lighting | Low to moderate | Low to moderate |
| CO2 needed? | No | No |
| Beginner friendly? | Yes | Yes |
| Best for | Community tanks, beginner aquariums | Nano tanks, shrimp tanks, aquascapes |
If you know which Anubias fits your tank, here are the easiest options to compare before buying.
What Is Anubias Nana?
Anubias Nana is a compact form of Anubias barteri and is one of the easiest aquarium plants to keep. It has thick, dark green leaves that grow from a horizontal rhizome. Because the leaves are tough and slow-growing, Anubias Nana is a good choice for community tanks, beginner aquariums, betta tanks, and low-light setups.
Anubias Nana usually stays smaller than many other Anubias varieties, but it is still noticeably larger than Nana Petite. In most aquariums, it works best attached to driftwood, rocks, or aquarium decor.
It can be used in the foreground of larger tanks, but in smaller aquariums it often looks better as a midground plant.
What Is Anubias Nana Petite?
Anubias Nana Petite is a smaller version of Anubias Nana. It has the same hardy growth habit, thick green leaves, and rhizome structure, but everything is scaled down. The leaves are much smaller, and the plant grows in a tighter, more compact pattern.
This makes Nana Petite especially useful in nano aquariums, shrimp tanks, betta tanks, and aquascapes where scale matters. If regular Anubias Nana looks too bulky for your layout, Nana Petite is usually the better choice.
The tradeoff is growth speed. Anubias Nana Petite grows extremely slowly, even by Anubias standards. That is not always a bad thing, though. In a carefully designed aquascape, slow growth means less trimming and a more stable layout.
Use generated photo 2 in this section.
Suggested alt text: Anubias Nana Petite growing on driftwood in a nano planted aquarium
Main Difference: Size and Scale
The biggest difference between Anubias Nana and Nana Petite is size.
Anubias Nana has larger leaves and creates a fuller, chunkier look. It stands out more in the aquarium and can hold its own next to rocks, driftwood, and taller background plants.
Anubias Nana Petite is much smaller. Its tiny leaves make it better for detailed aquascapes, small tanks, and areas where a regular Anubias would look oversized.
If you are setting up a 20-gallon aquarium or larger, Anubias Nana usually fits well. If you are building a 5-gallon or 10-gallon aquascape, Nana Petite often looks more natural.
Leaf Shape and Appearance
Both plants have dark green, oval-shaped leaves, but the visual effect is different.
Anubias Nana leaves are broader and more noticeable. They create a bold, classic planted-tank look. The plant looks sturdy, mature, and substantial.
Anubias Nana Petite has smaller leaves that create a refined, miniature effect. It works especially well when attached to small branches, stones, or the base of hardscape.
In aquascaping, scale is important. A plant can be healthy and still look out of place if it is too large for the layout. That is where Nana Petite has a real advantage.
Care Requirements
Anubias Nana and Nana Petite have nearly identical care requirements.
Both prefer:
- Low to moderate lighting
- Stable water parameters
- Gentle to moderate flow
- Attachment to rock, driftwood, or decor
- Liquid fertilizer if nutrients are low
- A rhizome kept above the substrate
The most important rule is this: do not bury the rhizome. The rhizome is the thick horizontal stem that the leaves and roots grow from. If it is buried under gravel or sand, it can rot.
You can let the roots grow into the substrate, but the rhizome itself should stay exposed.
Lighting Needs
Both plants do well in low-light aquariums. In fact, too much light can sometimes cause algae to grow on the leaves because Anubias grows slowly.
If your tank has strong lighting, place Anubias in shaded areas or near hardscape. Floating plants can also help reduce light intensity.
For most beginner tanks, a basic aquarium LED is enough. You do not need high-output lighting for either Anubias Nana or Nana Petite.
Growth Rate
Both plants are slow growers, but Nana Petite is usually slower.
Anubias Nana may put out new leaves steadily once established, but it will never grow as quickly as stem plants like hornwort, water wisteria, or rotala.
Anubias Nana Petite grows even more slowly. This makes it expensive compared to faster plants, but it also means it holds its shape well.
If you want fast plant growth, neither plant is the best choice. If you want a hardy, low-maintenance plant that stays manageable, both are excellent.
Best Tank Placement
Anubias Nana works best in:
- Midground areas
- The base of driftwood
- Rock piles
- Betta tanks
- Community aquariums
- Larger low-tech planted tanks
Anubias Nana Petite works best in:
- Nano tanks
- Foreground details
- Shrimp tanks
- Bonsai-style driftwood layouts
- Small rock crevices
- Aquascapes where scale matters
Use generated photo 3 near this section.
Suggested alt text: Anubias Nana attached to driftwood as a midground aquarium plant
Which Is Better for Nano Tanks?
Anubias Nana Petite is usually better for nano tanks.
In a 5-gallon or 10-gallon aquarium, regular Anubias Nana can look large quickly. The leaves may dominate the foreground and make the tank feel smaller.
Nana Petite keeps the aquascape in proportion. It can be attached to small pieces of driftwood, tucked between rocks, or used around the base of a hardscape layout.
That said, Anubias Nana can still work in a 10-gallon tank if you use it as a focal point rather than spreading it throughout the aquarium.
Which Is Better for Beginners?
Both are beginner-friendly, but Anubias Nana is slightly better for most beginners.
Why? It is usually cheaper, easier to find, and a little more forgiving because the larger plant mass can establish faster. Nana Petite is just as hardy, but it costs more and grows slower, so mistakes feel more expensive.
If this is your first planted tank, start with Anubias Nana. If you already know you want a smaller, cleaner aquascape, choose Nana Petite.
Which Is Better for Shrimp Tanks?
Anubias Nana Petite is excellent for shrimp tanks. Its small leaves create surfaces for biofilm, and the compact growth fits well in small shrimp aquariums.
Anubias Nana is also shrimp-safe and useful, but it can look bulky in smaller shrimp setups.
For a dedicated shrimp tank, Nana Petite usually looks better. For a larger community tank with shrimp, either plant works.
Can You Plant Anubias Nana or Nana Petite in Substrate?
You can place the roots in the substrate, but you should not bury the rhizome.
The safest method is to attach the plant to:
- Driftwood
- Lava rock
- Smooth stones
- Aquarium-safe decor
- Hardscape crevices
You can use aquarium-safe super glue gel, cotton thread, fishing line, or plant weights. Over time, the roots will grip the surface naturally.
Anubias Nana vs Nana Petite: Which Should You Choose?
Choose Anubias Nana if you want a hardy, affordable, beginner-friendly plant for a community aquarium, betta tank, or midground aquascape.
Choose Anubias Nana Petite if you want a smaller plant for a nano tank, shrimp tank, detailed aquascape, or foreground hardscape.
The best option depends on scale. If your tank is larger or you want a bolder plant, go with Nana. If your tank is small or you want a more refined aquascape, go with Nana Petite.
Final Verdict
Anubias Nana and Anubias Nana Petite are both excellent aquarium plants. They are hardy, low-light tolerant, slow-growing, and easy to attach to driftwood or rocks.
For most beginners, Anubias Nana is the better first choice because it is affordable, available, and versatile.
For aquascapers and nano tank keepers, Anubias Nana Petite is the better choice because its small leaves keep the layout in scale.
If you have room, the best answer may be to use both: Anubias Nana as a stronger midground plant and Nana Petite around smaller details in the foreground.