Is Afzel's Anubias a Good Plant for African Lungfish?

Possible with Caution

Afzel's Anubias can work with African Lungfish, but this is a possible with caution pairing. The plant may need a protected position, stronger anchoring, or companion plants before it feels reliable in day-to-day use. The match depends on anchoring and placement more than the water numbers alone.

Afzel's Anubias

Anubias afzelii

View plant profile

PlacementMidground

LightLow

DifficultyBeginner

Size35 × 25 cm

African Lungfish

Protopterus annectens

View fish profile

TemperamentHighly Aggressive

FamilyOddballs

Temp24–30°C

Water TypeFreshwater Only

Quick Decision

A plant can be technically compatible with a fish and still fail in the actual tank if the fish digs, chews, needs denser cover, or uses a different part of the layout.

Overall fit

74/100

Possible, but the scape needs more care.

Water match

Workable overlap

Shared range: 24-28°C, pH 6-8, 5-15 dGH.

Plant pressure

Moderate

Afzel's Anubias needs thoughtful placement and anchoring.

Layout value

Moderate cover

Afzel's Anubias helps with breaks lines of sight, useful spawning site, good grazing surface, and good refuge for shrimp.

Plant and fish setup supplies

We may earn from qualifying purchases

Plant and Fish Fit Notes

Use these signals to decide whether the plant is doing useful work for the fish, or whether it is only surviving beside it.

FactorAfzel's AnubiasAfrican Lungfish

Temperature

Afzel's Anubias22-28°C

African Lungfish24-30°C

Overlap: 24-28°C.

Afzel's Anubias6-8

African Lungfish6-8

Overlap: pH 6-8.

Hardness

Afzel's Anubias2-15 dGH

African Lungfish5-20 dGH

Overlap: 5-15 dGH.

Water and flow

Afzel's AnubiasFreshwater Only, Moderate (Standard)

African LungfishFreshwater Only, Low (Still Water)

Flow expectations are close enough for one layout.

Space used

Afzel's AnubiasMidground, Background, and Attached to hardscape

African LungfishBottom (Substrate), Middle (Open Water), and Top (Surface)

Pressure signals

Afzel's AnubiasHigh uproot resistance, Tough / leathery leaves

African LungfishHighly Aggressive, Piscivore (Eats small/nano fish), Generally Aggressive, and Aggressive to same species/look-alikes

Plant pressure: Moderate.

Planting value

Afzel's AnubiasBreaks lines of sight, Useful spawning site, Good grazing surface, and Good refuge for shrimp, No substrate required

African LungfishSand (Sifters), Smooth Gravel (Sensitive Barbels), and Driftwood (Digestion/Hiding)

Shared Tank Conditions

Afzel's Anubias fits inside the water range normally used for African Lungfish. The shared window is about 24 to 28 °C, pH 6 to 8, and 5 to 15 dGH, which gives you enough room to aim for stable middle-ground conditions.

Their flow expectations are close enough to combine: Afzel's Anubias prefers moderate flow, while African Lungfish prefers gentle, low-flow water.

Both are suited to freshwater, so salinity does not add an extra planning problem.

Fish Pressure and Plant Resilience

African Lungfish can still be rough on plants, but this pairing becomes more realistic when the plant is anchored well and used as part of a larger layout.

Afzel's Anubias has moderate cover density, high uproot resistance, and tough / leathery leaves. It can also help with breaking up sight lines, spawning sites, grazing surfaces, and shrimp refuge.

Afzel's Anubias is less tempting than softer, more palatable plants for known nibblers.

The point to watch is african Lungfish may still investigate the plant, but the tougher foliage gives it a better chance.

Layout Fit

Afzel's Anubias is a rhizome / epiphyte plant usually used midground, background, and attached to hardscape.

African Lungfish is an oddball fish, so the pairing works best when the planting style supports how that fish uses space and cover.

Afzel's Anubias reaches about 35 cm tall by 25 cm wide and is usually roots anchored, rhizome exposed with no substrate required. That makes placement and anchoring more important than simply adding a larger bunch of stems or leaves.

In this pairing, the useful plant values are line-of-sight breaks, spawning sites, grazing surfaces, and shrimp refuge. Place it where African Lungfish can actually use that structure instead of hiding the plant where it cannot do much.

Practical Recommendation

Treat this as a managed pairing. Plant it securely, give it time to root or attach, and use other plants or hardscape if the fish needs more shelter than one species can provide.

The decision should center on this signal: African Lungfish may still investigate the plant, but the tougher foliage gives it a better chance.

Frequently Asked Questions About Afzel's Anubias and African Lungfish

Is Afzel's Anubias a good plant for African Lungfish?

Can African Lungfish damage Afzel's Anubias?

African Lungfish may still investigate the plant, but the tougher foliage gives it a better chance.

Afzel's Anubias and African Lungfish share a workable water window around 24 to 28 °C, pH 6 to 8, and 5 to 15 dGH. Keep the tank near the middle of that overlap for the best long-term result.

What does Afzel's Anubias add to a tank with African Lungfish?

Afzel's Anubias is less tempting than softer, more palatable plants for known nibblers.

What is the main risk in this plant and fish pairing?

African Lungfish may still investigate the plant, but the tougher foliage gives it a better chance.