Fish Tank Decorations: What to Choose, What to Avoid, and Where to Find Them

Decorating a fish tank is an art. It’s about transforming a simple glass box into a vibrant, living underwater world that’s not just beautiful for you, but also healthy and stimulating for your fish.

So, what can I put in my fish tank for decoration? Simply put, fish tank decorations are items used to enhance the aesthetic appeal of an aquarium while providing a safe and enriching environment for its inhabitants. This can range from natural elements like plants and driftwood to whimsical artificial ornaments like castles and caves.

This guide will walk you through everything you need to know—from choosing the best fish tank decorations for beginners to arranging them like a pro. We’ll cover what your fish love, what to avoid at all costs, and where to buy fish tank decorations you can trust.

Let's dive in.

What Are the Best Fish Tank Decorations to Choose?

The options are nearly endless, but they generally fall into a few key categories. Choosing the right types of fish tank decorations is the first step to creating a stunning and healthy habitat.

Live Plants: A Natural Choice

There's nothing quite like the look of a lush, planted tank. Live plants for aquariums are more than just pretty; they're functional powerhouses.

• Benefits: Live plants act as natural filters, absorbing nitrates and releasing oxygen. They provide essential cover and hiding spots, making your fish feel secure.
• Popular Options: If you're new to this, start with hardy plants.
  • Java Fern: A classic choice. It’s tough, thrives in low light, and can be attached to rocks or driftwood.
  • Anubias: With its broad, dark green leaves, Anubias is incredibly durable and perfect for the midground.
  • Amazon Sword: A great background plant that grows tall and creates a lush, jungle-like feel.

These are excellent safe fish tank decorations that actively improve your tank's ecosystem.

Natural Wood and Rocks: Creating a Realistic Habitat

To create a truly naturalistic look, you can't beat wood and stone. They provide structure and make for very fish-friendly decorations.

• Driftwood and Bogwood: This is the cornerstone of many beautiful aquascapes. Natural wood for aquariums offers hiding places and a surface for beneficial bacteria to grow.
  • Important: Always use wood sold specifically for aquariums. Before adding it to your tank, soak it for a few days to release tannins (which can turn your water brown but are generally harmless) and to ensure it sinks.
• Aquarium-Safe Rocks: Rocks like Slate, Seiryu Stone, and smooth River Rocks add incredible texture and structure. They’re perfect for building caves and ledges. Always clean rocks thoroughly (a good scrub and boil is recommended) before use to remove any contaminants.

Artificial Ornaments: Adding Character and Fun

If you're aiming for a specific theme or just want to add a bit of personality, artificial ornaments are the way to go.

• Ceramic and Resin Ornaments: This is where you find your castles, sunken ships, and ancient ruins. The most important rule is to ensure they are labeled "aquarium-safe." This guarantees the paints and materials won't leach harmful chemicals into the water. These are some of the most attractive fish tank decorations for themed tanks.

Learn more: Is Ceramic Safe for Aquariums? What You Need to Know

• PVC and Plastic Decorations: Items like smooth-edged plastic caves and PVC tunnels are fantastic, especially for shy fish like plecos and loaches. Just make sure any openings are large enough for your fish to swim through without getting stuck.

Floating Decorations: Enhancing the Surface

Don't forget the top of your tank! Floating decor provides shade, reduces glare from lighting, and gives top-dwelling fish like Bettas a sense of security. Floating plants (real or artificial) and lily pads are great options.

Household Objects As Tank Decorations?

This is a common question: what can I put in my fish tank for decoration at home?

The short answer is: be extremely careful. Most household items are not designed for long-term submersion and can be toxic. Avoid any painted objects, metals, unsealed ceramics (like terracotta pots, which can alter pH), and most plastics. Unless you are 100% certain an object is made of an inert, non-toxic material, it's best to stick with items made specifically for aquariums.

How to Decorate Your Fish Tank for Maximum Appeal

Arranging your decor is just as important as choosing it. A thoughtful layout can create depth, balance, and a stunning visual impact. Here’s how to arrange fish tank decorations to make your tank a true centerpiece.

Choosing an Aquascaping Style

Having a style in mind helps create a cohesive look. Here are a few popular aquascaping styles:

• Nature (Biotope) Style: Aims to replicate a specific natural habitat, like an Amazon riverbed or an African lake. You'd use plants, substrate, and rocks found in that environment.
• Iwagumi Style: A minimalist Japanese style that uses stones as the main feature. It's all about simplicity and open space, often with a carpet of low-growing plants.
• Dutch Style: Think of an underwater garden. This style focuses on dense groupings of various plants with contrasting colors and textures.
• Jungle Style: Wild, lush, and a bit overgrown. This style uses a mix of tall plants and driftwood to create a dense, natural look.

Creating a Focal Point

Every great design needs a focal point. This is the element that draws the eye.

Use a single, striking piece—a large, gnarled piece of driftwood, a unique rock formation, or a prominent ornament—to anchor your design. Don't place it dead center; positioning it slightly off-center using the "rule of thirds" often creates a more dynamic and pleasing look.

Layering for Depth and Visual Interest

One of the best fish tank layout ideas is to think in layers. This creates a sense of depth, making your tank look larger than it is.

• Foreground: Use low-growing plants (like Dwarf Hairgrass) or fine sand.
• Midground: Place medium-height plants, smaller rocks, and driftwood here.
• Background: This is for your tallest plants and largest decor pieces.

Balancing Colors and Textures

Contrast is key to making your aquascape pop.

• Plants: Mix broad-leaf plants with fine, feathery ones. Place bright green plants next to those with red or purple hues.
• Hardscape: Contrast dark rocks against a light substrate, or use light-colored wood against a dark background. This simple color balance makes a huge difference.

What Types of Decorations Do Fish Like?

While we choose decor for aesthetics, it's crucial to consider what types of decorations do fish like? A happy fish is a healthy fish, and the right environment reduces stress and encourages natural behaviors.

Hiding Spots and Shelter

Nearly all fish appreciate a place to retreat. This is especially true for shy, nocturnal, or territorial species.

• Caves, Tunnels, and Driftwood: These are essential fish-friendly decorations. They provide refuge and help establish territories, which can reduce aggression in community tanks. Ceramic caves, PVC tubes, and tangled driftwood are all excellent choices.

Live Plants and Vegetation

Live plants for aquariums offer more than just beauty; they provide functional spaces for your fish.

• Broad-leaf and Carpeting Plants: Plants like Anubias offer a surface for fish like Bettas to rest on. Carpeting plants create microhabitats for shrimp and bottom-dwellers to forage in.
• Floating Plants: These provide shade and cover, making fish feel safer from above. They are also popular spawning sites for many species.

Structural Hardscape and Enrichment

A dynamic environment is an enriching one. Use your hardscape to create interesting zones.

• Stacked Stone and Overhangs: These create different territories and shaded areas, mimicking the natural structures fish would encounter in the wild.
• Varying Flow and Light: Arrange your decor to create areas of both high and low water flow, and zones of bright light and shadow. This stimulates exploration and caters to different fish preferences for decorations.

What to Avoid: Unsafe Fish Tank Decorations

This is the most important section of all. Using the wrong decor can be deadly. Here is a list of unsafe fish tank decorations and materials to keep out of your aquarium.

Painted, Plated, or Coated Objects

• Toxic Paints: Any item not specifically made for aquariums could have paint that flakes off and leaches heavy metals or solvents into the water. These are toxic materials for fish tanks.
• Plated Metals: Avoid anything coated in copper, brass, or other metals. They can corrode and release ions that are lethal to fish and especially invertebrates like shrimp.

Plastics and Synthetic Toys

• Off-the-Shelf Toys: That plastic action figure might look cool, but it can release harmful chemicals like plasticizers when submerged for long periods. These are decorations to avoid in fish tanks.
• Unsealed PVC or Rubber: Only use plastics explicitly labeled "aquarium safe."

Ceramics, Glass, and Concrete

• Lead-Glazed Ceramics: Some pottery glazes contain lead. If it's not certified food-safe or aquarium-safe, don't risk it.
• Concrete and Cement: These materials can drastically raise the pH and hardness of your water, which is dangerous for most fish.

Untreated or Unknown Wood and Natural Stones

• Untreated Wood: Wood found in your garden can introduce pesticides, harmful bacteria, or toxic saps (like pine). This is unsafe wood for aquariums.
• Calcareous Materials: In freshwater tanks, avoid seashells, crushed coral, limestone, and marble. They will dissolve over time, raising your water's pH and hardness to unsafe levels. These are unsafe rocks for aquariums.
• Soft or Oily Rocks: Rocks that crumble easily, like shale, can contain unknown minerals or oils that are harmful.

When in doubt, leave it out. It's never worth risking the health of your fish.

Where to Find High-Quality Fish Tank Decorations

So, where to buy fish tank decorations? You have plenty of great options across the U.S.

Major Retail Chains and Online Stores

For convenience and a wide selection, you can't go wrong with the big names.

• PetSmart and Petco: These stores are found everywhere and offer a huge variety of ornaments, artificial plants, and substrates from trusted brands. They are a great starting point, especially for beginners.
• Amazon & Hygger: Online giants offer a massive selection, often with competitive pricing and user reviews to guide your purchase.

Specialty Online Aquarium Stores

For more unique or high-end fish tank decorations, these online specialists are fantastic.

Aquarium H2o, Fish Tanks Direct, That Fish Place: These stores cater to serious hobbyists and often carry items you won't find in larger chain stores, including extra-large driftwood and specialized aquascaping stones.

The Viet Potter (Our Handcrafted Ceramics)

Looking for unique and safe ceramic aquarium decorations?

At The Viet Potter, we specialize in just that. We're proud to offer our own collection of handcrafted pieces, made with the highest standards of safety and artistry.

• Handcrafted Quality: Each piece is made from non-toxic materials and fired using traditional techniques, ensuring they are 100% safe for your aquarium.
• Unique Designs: Add a touch of charm with our miniature pagodas, or create a lively scene with animal and people figurines.

[→ Shop The Viet Potter's Aquarium Collection Now]

Local Fish Stores

Don't forget your local fish stores (LFS)! The biggest advantage here is the expert advice. You can see the decor in person, ensure its quality, and get personalized recommendations from people who are passionate about the hobby.

Conclusion: Creating a Beautiful and Healthy Aquarium

Choosing fish tank decorations is one of the most creative and rewarding parts of the aquarium hobby. By balancing aesthetics with safety, you can build a stunning underwater landscape that is also a thriving home for your fish.

Remember the key takeaways: prioritize safe materials for fish tank decorations, arrange them to create depth and interest, and always consider the needs of your fish.

Now it's your turn. Explore the options, get creative, and build the aquarium of your dreams. What style will you choose for your tank? Share your ideas in the comments below!