Anubias vs Bucephalandra - which is better?

Talk about your fresh water plants here
Fable7
Posts: 6
Joined: Sun Jan 30, 2022 5:00 pm

Anubias vs Bucephalandra - which is better?

Post by Fable7 »

I've been keeping Anubias for years but just got my first Bucephalandra. Which one do you guys think is better for a low tech setup? My tank's got sand substrate, low light, and no CO2.
folkyst
Posts: 5
Joined: Thu Oct 10, 2024 4:14 pm

Re: Anubias vs Bucephalandra - which is better?

Post by folkyst »

Bucephalandra's got way more variety in leaf shapes and colors, but Anubias is way tougher. If your tank's chill with low light and no CO2, Anubias is gonna be the safer bet. Buce can melt if the water's not stable.
GentleFish
Posts: 2
Joined: Thu Oct 10, 2024 9:30 pm

Re: Anubias vs Bucephalandra - which is better?

Post by GentleFish »

Anubias is practically bulletproof. I've had it survive in everything from hard tap water to soft RO. Bucephalandra's prettier, but it's pickier about water params. What's your pH and hardness, Fable7?
Fable7
Posts: 6
Joined: Sun Jan 30, 2022 5:00 pm

Re: Anubias vs Bucephalandra - which is better?

Post by Fable7 »

GentleFish wrote: Mon May 26, 2025 8:33 pm Anubias is practically bulletproof. I've had it survive in everything from hard tap water to soft RO. Bucephalandra's prettier, but it's pickier about water params. What's your pH and hardness, Fable7?
pH is around 7.2, hardness is moderate. You think Buce would still work?
letham
Posts: 13
Joined: Wed Sep 14, 2022 10:03 pm

Re: Anubias vs Bucephalandra - which is better?

Post by letham »

Buce's dope if you're willing to baby it a bit. I've got some in a similar setup, but I had to tweak the flow and add root tabs. Anubias just sits there looking green no matter what.
azurjon
Posts: 1
Joined: Thu Oct 10, 2024 8:38 pm

Re: Anubias vs Bucephalandra - which is better?

Post by azurjon »

I'd stick with Anubias if you're not into fussing. Buce can be a diva, especially when it's new. Once it settles, it's fine, but that initial melt phase is sketchy.
StarD
Posts: 2
Joined: Thu Oct 10, 2024 6:16 pm

Re: Anubias vs Bucephalandra - which is better?

Post by StarD »

Anubias grows slower, which is nice if you don't wanna trim often. Buce can take off if it's happy, but like everyone said, it's a gamble in low tech.
User avatar
daxxon
Posts: 12
Joined: Sat Dec 30, 2023 2:34 am

Re: Anubias vs Bucephalandra - which is better?

Post by daxxon »

Never tried Buce, but my Anubias is thriving with just a basic LED and weekly water changes. Why mess with what works?
User avatar
fable1
Posts: 8
Joined: Tue Jan 23, 2024 6:35 am

Re: Anubias vs Bucephalandra - which is better?

Post by fable1 »

Anubias all the way. Buce's too pricey to risk it melting on you.
User avatar
fortuna_4
Posts: 7
Joined: Thu Oct 10, 2024 3:49 am

Re: Anubias vs Bucephalandra - which is better?

Post by fortuna_4 »

I've had both, and Anubias is way easier. Buce looks cool, but it's not worth the hassle unless you're really into rare plants.
Post Reply