The Best Cool & Unique Aquarium Decorations That Safe For Fish (2024)

It’s hard to define what the best aquarium decorations are because there are so many to choose from including rocks, caves, driftwood, coral, and more.

No matter what kind of decor you’re looking for, the important thing is to choose a high-quality product. Make sure that it won’t throw off the chemistry of your water so your fish can enjoy it as much as you do.

If you’re looking for some good options, we found some of the best decorations out there and divided them into different categories to help you find just what you’re looking for.

The 21 Best Tank Decorations For Your Types of Aquarium Fish

Aquarium Decorations Rock

1. Aquarium Ohko Dragon Stone Rock Mixed Sizes

Dragon stone gets its name because it resembles dragon scales. It has an interesting green-brown color and a layered appearance with a lot of cracks and crevices.

This is a great decoration because it’s lightweight, sturdy, and stackable without affecting water chemistry.

They come in mixed sizes and shapes and every package is different. Because it’s 100% natural stone, there can be some variation in color and size.

2. Marina Naturals Rock Outcrop

This large, beautiful piece simulates a natural environment for your fish. It’s made from safe, non-toxic material that won’t change the chemistry of the water, looks like a natural rock, and is suitable for any aquarium environment.

At eight inches tall, this piece works well as a stand-alone decoration but can also be useful in adding texture and interest when added in with other plants and decor.

3. uxcell Aquarium Resin Turtle Ramp Rock Basking Stone Decor

Not only is this basking stone the perfect addition to a turtle tank, but it can also be used for aquarium landscaping.

It comes with suction cups so you can attach it anywhere around the tank and trust that it will stay in place. Because this rock looks so realistic, it might surprise you to feel how lightweight it actually is.

Aquarium Decorations Castle

4. Penn Plax Castle Aquarium Decoration Hand Painted

If you want to add something to your aquarium that really creates an underwater kingdom for your fish, takes a look at this hand-painted castle.

The large grey castle sits on a rocky hill above a flowing waterfall and provides plenty of hiding spaces for your fish.

This castle features a cone-shaped roof, archways, and stone detailing that makes it look surprisingly realistic. It’s a large decoration that’s over 14 inches high.

5. Sunyiny Aquarium Decorations Ornament

Here’s another great castle that’s perfect for any tank 5-gallons or larger.

This double-sided design can be kept anywhere in your tank and is made of high-quality resin that can be used in either saltwater or freshwater without worry about the color fading.

There are plenty of places for your fish to hide and holes to swim through and the weighted base keeps it upright, right where you put it.

6. SLOCME Aquarium Ornaments Resin Castle Decorations

The SLOCME resin castle is made of an eco-friendly, non-toxic material that won’t change the water chemistry in your aquarium. It’s double-sided so it can be placed anywhere in your tank in any direction.

You’ll love looking at the tiny bricks and stairs and the detailed greenery and your fish will love all the hiding places and nooks to swim through. This is the perfect size for a 10-gallon tank.

Aquarium Decorations Driftwood

7. Fluval Mopani Natural Driftwood

Wood is one of the most natural decorations you can add to your aquarium and this Mopani driftwood is an eye-catching option.

The curves, knots, and holes in this wood are fun and add an interesting sculptural element to your tank.

This is a natural Mopani root that’s been sandblasted to prevent any water contamination. It can be used on its own or as an anchor for live plants.

8. Yizhi Miaow Aquarium Decorations Tree Log/Driftwood

If you prefer to avoid natural wood for fear that it will tint the water, this resin driftwood is a great alternative.

It features realistic looking artificial plants along the top and provides some fun nooks and crannies for your fish to explore.

The safe, non-toxic resin is environmentally friendly and won’t alter the water chemistry. It’s great in a fish tank but would make a great addition to a reptile tank as well.

9. Bonsai Driftwood Aquarium Tree

This bonsai driftwood tree is made using natural wood that’s been crafted into a gorgeous work of art. This wood is safe for fish and shrimp and is beautiful when mixed with rocks, moss, and air plants.

Because this wood contains natural tannic acid, it conditions the water and can actually lower the pH of your tank.

For best results, the wood should be boiled for 20 minutes to sterilize it before putting it in your tank.

Aquarium Decorations Wood

10. Natural Cholla Wood for Aquarium Decoration

Cholla wood is one of the most interesting natural decorations you can have in an aquarium.

The natural shape of the wood adds a lot of depth and detail and gives small tank inhabitants like shrimp and fry a place to explore and hide.

This 5-pack gives you some versatility in how you arrange them. The wood is sustainably sourced from a pesticide-free location.

11. Zoo Med Mopani Wood

This Mopani wood decoration is available in a lot of sizes ranging from 6 to 24 inches so, no matter what size tank you have; you can find a good fit.

The smooth surface and textured details look great on their own or mixed in with your plants and other decors.

Because this is natural wood it leeches tannins into the water. This gives the water a slight brown tint and naturally lowers pH levels.

12. Pisces AM-GOLD018 Spiderwood

Spiderwood has a truly unique look and turns a beautiful mahogany color when put in your tank.

There’s no doubt this will become the centerpiece of your tank. It’s low in tannins, too, so the color change to the water should be minimal.

One thing to know before you buy is that you have to soak this wood for a week or more before it’s waterlogged and can sink to the bottom of your tank.

Aquarium Decorations Caves

13. SunGrow Natural Coco Hut

Coco Huts are unlike any other aquarium caves you’ve ever seen. They’re all-natural, eco-friendly material keeps the natural look of your tank and provides the perfect shelter for vulnerable fish and a safe place for egg-laying.

This cave is carved by hand and has rounded edges so it won’t cause any injuries. It has only one opening, though remember that these are all-natural so each one will be a little different.

14. Marina Decor Polyresin Cave

If you’re looking for a resin option, take a look at this cave from Marina.

It’s made using safe, non-toxic materials and looks very realistic. Next to the cave opening is a small faux Amazon sword plant for an even more natural look.

With its large opening and generous size, this is a cave your fish will love to explore and gives them a safe place to go when they need one.

15. Penn Plax Stone Hideaway Aquarium Decorations

These stone hideaways have a unique look and texture that helps you recreate the natural environment of your fish.

They’re safe for both freshwater and saltwater and are made out of durable resin designed to mimic the look of granite.

One of the best things about these hideaways is you can stack them and create a swim-through area, giving aggressive fish their own space and reducing the stress in the tank.

Aquarium Decorations Plants

16. QUMY Artificial Aquarium Plants Plastic

If you’re searching for a gorgeous, realistic-looking plastic plant, take a look at these decorations from QUMY. These plastic plants have a ceramic base, are non-toxic, and won’t affect the chemistry of your tank.

The vibrant green and wine red design look really natural while adding a pop of color to your aquascape. Plus, unlike with real plants, there’s no maintenance required whatsoever.

17. Aquarium Plants Decoration Artificial Plants

With life-like leaves that move realistically in the water, this pair of artificial plants is the perfect addition to any aquarium.

They’re non-toxic and safe with a soft surface that won’t harm your fish and gives them a place to hide, rest, and play.

The best part is you get 2 plants with this product. Place them together for a fuller look or scatter them around your other decorations for a natural look.

18. Pietypet Artificial Aquatic Plants

The larger your aquarium, the more decorations you need. If you have a 20-gallon tank or larger, this 7-piece artificial plant set is a great choice.

These pieces vary in height so you can create natural-looking depth and the bright colors look amazing underwater.

These plants are safe, non-toxic, and feature a ceramic base for easy positioning and anchoring. There are 4 different types of plants included in this set of 7.

Aquarium Decoration Coral

19. PINVNBY Coral Aquarium Decoration Fish Tank

This coral decoration is the perfect choice for a mid-size tank. Its colorful design features several different types of coral and it’s bright and colorful enough to be used as a centerpiece of your design.

The high-quality resin material is safe to use in both freshwater and saltwater tanks and looks great underwater. Your fish will love exploring all the little nooks and crannies.

20. Uniclife Glowing Effect Artificial Coral Plant

A glow-in-the-dark effect is always a fun addition to an aquarium. This artificial coral plant has bright orange accents that look great during the day and glow-in-the-dark when placed under actinic light.

These plants are made of non-toxic silicone and resin and are not harmful to your aquarium. Plus, they’re soft and flexible which means they won’t harm your fish and they move naturally in the water.

21. Instant Reef DM055 Artificial Coral Reef Aquarium Decor

To get the look of a real coral reef in your aquarium, take a look at this Instant Reef.

It’s made of high-quality resin and is non-toxic so it’s safe for fish and invertebrates. The yellow, blue, green, and red colors are bright and vivid making this a great centerpiece for your tank.

Set up and maintenance are easy and it can be used in either freshwater or saltwater.

How to Pick Decorations for a Fish Tank?

The good news is that there’s no right or wrong way to decorate an aquarium. As long as you use high-quality materials that won’t change the water or harm your fish, anything goes.

When choosing the decorations, the first thing you have to do is decide what you want the overall look to be and that can actually be really difficult because there are so many choices.

Here are some things to think about to help you decide which direction you want to go.

Natural vs Not Natural

The first thing you should decide is whether you want a purely natural theme or if you want something fantastical and fun.

Which do you like better, driftwood and rocks or magnificent castles and glow-in-the-dark plants?

Of course, there aren’t strict rules when it comes to aquarium decor so you can mix it all together if you wanted to but choosing whether you want to stick to a natural underwater scene or create something totally different is a good place to start.

Color Scheme

There are two ways to think about color.

First, ask yourself if you want to stick to a color scheme. Would you rather have a natural set up with a lot of browns and greens? Or do you want to throw in some bright colors, too?

Next, ask yourself what kind of fish you’ll be keeping in the aquarium. If you have a lot of bright, colorful fish, the best way to get them to stand out is to use a white substrate with natural green plants. If your fish are lighter colored, a dark substrate and dark decorations can really help them stand out.

Plants

There are a lot of benefits to having live plants in your aquarium but artificial plants are a lot easier. There’s no maintenance at all and some of them look so realistic, you won’t be able to tell the difference.

If you do choose live plants, there are a lot of great natural decorations that can help them root and get established effectively. Adding some driftwood can really help.

Design, or How to Make it Look Good

You can honestly set your tank up any way you like but there are some design rules to follow to create a more natural look.

First, choose a primary focal point. It’s a good idea to choose something with some holes or nooks and crannies to give your fish a place to hide and play.

Next, consider the height of your decorations. Think about it like this. Different species of fish prefer different parts of the tank. You have top swimmers, bottom dwellers, and those that hang out somewhere in between.

A lot of times, aquarium owners spend a lot of time arranging plants, rocks, wood, or castles on the bottom of the tank but don’t think much about the height.

You should decorate all three of the zones that fish like to hang out in. This can mean having some tall plants that reach all the way to the top of the tank or a large piece of driftwood that covers the tank from bottom to top. Just make sure you add some height.

Another thing to think about is how many decorations to include. You don’t want to go overboard because your fish still need room to swim. That said, the tank shouldn’t look too sparse, either.

A good rule of thumb is to full about 50% of the tank with decor making sure there are still plenty of wide-open spaces for fish to swim around. Spread things out in even clusters so there’s a place for fish who like open spaces and areas where shy fish can hide if they need to.

Conclusion

When it comes to decorating your aquarium, there are no right or wrong answers. As long as you use quality products that won’t negatively affect the water, you can choose any decorations that you want.

In some ways, being able to do whatever you want almost makes it more difficult to decide. Take a look at the decorations we recommend and suggestions for how to pick which ones are right for you and both you and your fish will be on your way to a happy, beautiful aquarium.