We independently evaluate all of our recommendations. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. The 27 Best Aquarium Decorations to Brighten Up Your Fishes’ Home Create a stimulating and enriching environment with these picks By Jessie Sanders Jessie Sanders Jessie Sanders, DVM, DABVP (Fish Practice), is an accomplished aquatic veterinary medicine expert with nearly two decades of experience working with private patients and aquaculture facilities. She owns Aquatic Veterinary Services and specilaizes in fish surgery. Dr. Sanders was one of the first Certified Aquatic Veterinarians through the World Aquatic Veterinary Medical Association. Learn more about The Spruce Pets' Editorial Process Updated on 05/21/25 In This Article View All In This Article Top Picks Reviews What To Look for FAQ Why Trust The Spruce Pets Credit: The Spruce Pets When it comes to choosing decorations for your aquarium, you need to consider your fish and what they need, even if it doesn’t fit a particular “vision” for your tank. Do your fishes need places to hide to feel safe? Do they have delicate fins that may tear on rough or pointy décor? What type of substrate might they need? Also, keep in mind that the more decorations you add, especially larger ones, the more you will be decreasing the total volume of your tank and may disrupt consistent water flow. You should feel the water flow all around your tank, and some large items may require additional flow from air stones or powerheads in order to maintain good water mixing. Always make sure your fish have enough room to swim comfortably as well! But even with all those considerations made, there’s sure to be a bevy of options out there for accessorizing and designing the best tank for you and your fish. Top Picks Best Multipack Plants: MyLifeUNIT Artificial Fish Tank Plants at Amazon $16 Jump to Review Best Large Artificial Plant: Lantian Aquarium Décor Large at Amazon $9 Jump to Review Best Small Fish Hideaway: MUNLIT Stackable Aquarium Rock Caves at Amazon $10 Jump to Review Best Large Fish Hideaway: Lingxuinfo Scakbyer Habitat Decor Hideout at Amazon $45 Jump to Review Best Wood: Majoywoo Natural Coral Driftwood at Amazon $23 Jump to Review Best Rock: CaribSea Liferock at Waterboxaquariums.com Jump to Review Best Landscape Ornament: UNEAK Large Shipwreck Aquarium Decoration at Amazon $140 Jump to Review Best Decorative Gravel: Oupeng Coarse Sand Stone Decorative Rock at Amazon $10 Jump to Review Best Artificial Hard Coral: Besimple Polyresin Coral Ornament at Amazon $17 Jump to Review Best Artificial Soft Coral: Cayway Aquarium Silicone Fish Tank Decorations at Amazon Jump to Review Best Multipack Plants MyLifeUNIT Artificial Fish Tank Plants Credit: Amazon $16 at Amazon View on Mylifeunit.com What We Like Large and varied assortment Easy to install Soft enough that it won’t hurt fish Easy to clean and maintain What We Don't Like Can overcrowd smaller aquariums, disrupting waterflow Some of the more colorful options aren’t very realistic looking Even though most pet fish are sold in clear tubs packed gill to gill with 50 of their closest cousins, their forever home should be a lower-stress environment. With the MyLifeUNIT Artificial Fish Tank Plants 10-pack, you get a great variety of colors, heights, and densities to accommodate fish of all temperaments and environmental requirements, although some of the colors aren’t very realistic. You can easily swap out any or all of these items to find ones that your fish prefers. Each plant is made from PVC with a ceramic base that’s easy to install under most substrates and won’t upset the pH balance in your tank. This 10-pack plant assortment is best for tanks of at least 20 gallons as they would be crowded in smaller aquariums and potentially disrupt water flow in the tank. Materials: PVC foliage, ceramic base | Dimensions: 4 to 12 inches tall Best Large Artificial Plant Lantian Aquarium Décor Large Credit: Amazon $9 at Amazon What We Like Ideal for fish to hide in Colorful green and red combo Nice and full What We Don't Like Not realistic, natural-looking When it comes to artificial plants, a dense base with lots of stems is a great choice for most systems. Depending on the species you keep, you may go for something shorter that allows for top-swimmers to have open swimming space. For shy fish, this fake plant provides lots of hiding spaces while also bringing a pop of color to your tank. This 18-inch plant from Lantian Aquarium Decor provides dense foliage attached to a single weighted ceramic base, which makes it easy to install in most substrates. While it’s not the most natural-looking plant, it’s perfect for hiding fish in particular, while its combination of green and red should fit in with most tank designs. Materials: PVC, weighted ceramic base | Dimensions: 18 inches tall Best Small Fish Hideaway MUNLIT Stackable Aquarium Rock Caves Credit: Amazon $10 at Amazon What We Like Stackable Perfect for shy fish Available in two sizes What We Don't Like Only available in small-fish sizes For smaller, shy fish, multiple caves are an absolute requirement. Available in a small and medium size, these caves will provide them lots of options to take a break from their busy aquarium life and maybe some rambunctious tankmates. These caves can be stacked to provide a multi-level apartment complex but are only appropriate for small fishes, such as bettas, small cichlids, and tetras. Materials: Ceramic | Dimensions: 2.16 x 2.64 x 3.27 inches, 2.16 x 3.15 x 4.33 inches Best Large Fish Hideaway Lingxuinfo Scakbyer Habitat Decor Hideout Credit: Amazon $45 at Amazon What We Like Sinks easily Natural, painted look Made of non-toxic resin What We Don't Like Only one opening With an opening that’s nearly 5 inches high and 9 inches across, the Scakbyer Habitat Decor Hideout is the perfect hideout for cichlids and medium-sized saltwater fish. It’s made from non-toxic resin and painted in a realistic, natural pattern. While designed primarily for reptile terrariums, this large fish hideaway sinks, making it easy to install on the surface of any substrate, although it would be nice to have more than one opening for the fish to swim in and out of. Be sure not to install this cave too snugly, for you will have to remove it to perform your regular maintenance. Materials: Resin | Dimensions: 10.24 x 9.06 x 5.12 inches Best Wood Majoywoo Natural Coral Driftwood Credit: Amazon $23 at Amazon What We Like Sinks fast for easy installation Available in a multi-pack Natural shapes What We Don't Like Variety sizing means you don’t know exactly what you’re going to get Should be boiled or pre-treated before use It’s important to select wood that’s been specifically treated for aquarium systems. Throwing in any old log from your yard is not appropriate, and certain types of wood can secrete compounds that will poison your fish. This natural coral driftwood assortment comes in a pack of three, each piece unique and approximately 6 to 10 inches long. It’s perfect for a medium to large aquarium system, but Majoywoo also offers a two-pack of even larger driftwood pieces. For the best installation, boil your new wood for one hour or let it soak for four hours in salt water, which will help release any remaining tannins from the wood. Repeat until the water no longer changes color. Materials: Coral wood | Dimensions: 6 to 10 inches long, varying heights and thicknesses Best Rock CaribSea Liferock Credit: Waterbox Aquariums View on Waterboxaquariums.com What We Like Mined from quarries No harmful contaminants What We Don't Like Can’t pick the size LifeRock isn’t made in a lab or collected from heavily populated undersea biomes but rather mined from inland quarries. Starting as aragonite rocks, it contains no contaminants harmful to a tank. It’s extremely porous, allowing helpful bacteria and your fish to find haven in its cracks. There are multiple different types, like a branch, shelf, base, or table. Ordering a shipment gives you all sorts of unique shapes and sizes to fit your needs, breathing life into your aquarium. Materials: Calcium carbonate | Dimensions: N/A Best Landscape Ornament UNEAK Large Shipwreck Aquarium Decoration Credit: Amazon $140 at Amazon What We Like Easy way to add height to aquarium tank design Comes in two pieces, for a customizable layout Hand painted Designed without sharp edges What We Don't Like Too large for small tanks When it comes to large landscape designs in aquariums, who could ignore the quintessential pirate ship? What makes the UNEAK Large Shipwreck ideal is its 15-inch height, which makes for a dramatic statement piece. Plus, the handpainted wrecked ship is split in two, allowing you to separate the two pieces to get the best look and provide extra hiding spaces for your fish. We appreciate that it’s designed without any sharp edges, but note that it will take up too much room in smaller tanks. Materials: Resin, paint | Dimensions: 22.5 x 1 x 5.9 inches Best Decorative Gravel Oupeng Coarse Sand Stone Decorative Rock Credit: Amazon $10 at Amazon What We Like Neutral but varied color palette Good size for most aquarium set-ups and fish species Heavy enough that it won’t be disturbed easily What We Don't Like Should be rinsed prior to use While lots of decorative gravel is shiny or colorful, we like the more neutral sand tones provided by Oupeng Coarse Sand Stone. These small pebbles are appropriate for all sizes of fish and are capable of providing the recommended one inch of substrate for foraging, bottom-feeding fish. It’s also a perfect weight for anchoring live plants and other décor objects. Be prepared to rinse this gravel before using it in your aquarium. Materials: Coarse silica sand | Dimensions: 1.6-pound bag Best Artificial Hard Coral Besimple Polyresin Coral Ornament Credit: Amazon $17 $15 at Amazon What We Like Multiple color options Realistic design Made of nontoxic and durable polyresin What We Don't Like Needs an occasional scrubbing Saltwater tanks are known for their brightly colored fishes and corals, but if you’d rather stick to a fish-only system, you can still get vibrant colors without the work. Artificial corals, like the Besimple line, allow you to showcase your brightly colored fish with an equally bright background. This line of artificial corals made of durable polyresin comes in three colors, orange, purple, and red, so you’ll be sure to find one that works with your design. Unlike live corals, you will need to scrub these to keep their colors at their brightest. Materials: Polyresin | Dimensions: 6.5 x 5.5 x 2.7 inches Best Artificial Soft Coral Cayway Aquarium Silicone Fish Tank Decorations Credit: Amazon View on Amazon What We Like Glows Silicone is flexible enough for gentle movement Multi-pack with interesting assortment What We Don't Like No picking or choosing what’s in the multi-pack When it comes to selecting aquarium décor, silicone elements are rising in popularity. Rather than a stationary decoration, silicone décor items will provide some movement to your tank. We like the Cayway 4-piece assortment since it showcases four different types of soft color with their own design and color. Although there’s no picking what’s in the multipack, they have multiple options for you to find the best assortment for your tank. These items will also glow under blue LEDs, making them pop amongst your other décor items. Materials: Silicone | Dimensions: 7 x 3.2 inches, 3.5 x 3.1 inches (bamboo); 4.1 x 3.7 inches (lotus); 4 x 4 inches (anemone); 5 x 2 inches (jellyfish) Best Floating Zoo Med Floating Betta Log Credit: Amazon $16 $9 at Amazon View on Chewy What We Like High resting position Provides dedicated feeding spot What We Don't Like Free floating (can move around tank) Floating elements for aquariums are recommended for a small variety of species. Bettas, with their long, flowing tails, require regular rest periods. Many betta fish love this log, from what I’ve encountered in practice. It gives them a safe place to rest that is up high in the water column rather than down on the bottom. This log even has a feeding hole at the top to provide a flow-free space for feeding that limits competition from other fish. Materials: Plastic | Dimensions: 6 x 4 x 3 inches Best Budget Pack Pietypet 25-piece Aquarium Décor Credit: Amazon $15 at Amazon What We Like Wide variety and colors Includes a cave Plants have an easy-to-bury base What We Don't Like Cave too small for medium or large fish This Pietypet set contains 24 various artificial plants, ranging in size from 10.5 to 2 inches, and also includes a rock cave that works well for smaller fish but not for medium or large fish. A wide variety of colors and sizes are represented, and each plant has an easy-to-bury base. Plus, you can even detach each plant from its base for easier cleaning. Materials: Plastic (plants), resin (cave) | Dimensions: 3.7 x 3.3 inches (cave), 2 to 10.5 inches (plants) Best Extra Large PENN-PLAX Age-of-Magic Wizard’s Castle Aquarium Credit: Amazon $49 at Amazon View on Petco View on Walmart What We Like Realistic, painted look Can be paired with additional PENN-PLAX castles Multiple holes and hiding spots What We Don't Like Painted colors can fade over time Some sharp edges could prove dangerous to very sensitive fish fins If you have a large tank that needs an extra-large décor item, we recommend PENN-PLAX Age-of-Magic Castle. At over 12 inches in height and length, you will need a large tank to accommodate such a large structure, but your fish, including your larger fish, will enjoy exploring the castle and its substructure. The base is 7 inches wide and hosts a large cage, perfect for your larger fish. If you want an even bigger castle complex, you can combine the Wizard’s Castle with its Part B counterpart. Materials: Resin | Dimensions: 12.75 x 6.5 x 14 inches Best Realistic Plant Set PietyPet Green Aquarium Plants Credit: Amazon $8 $4 at Amazon What We Like Assortment of heights and widths More natural-looking Weighted bottoms What We Don't Like Fills up smaller aquariums This set contains 10 pieces of vibrant green artificial plants that are suitable for most types of fish. The plants range in style and height from 2.2 inches up to 7.9 inches, offering a nice variety that looks great in any aquarium tank. This assortment is a more natural aesthetic with green foliage and brown-tinted bases/roots. Since there are a lot of plants, this can fill up a smaller tank and not leave room for other ornaments. Materials: Plastic | Dimensions: 2.2- to 7.9-inch plants Best Treasure Chest Penn Plax Action-Air Jewel Box Treasure Chest Credit: Amazon $16 at Amazon View on Petco What We Like Creates movement and oxygenation Made of durable resin Usable in smaller tanks What We Don't Like Air pump and tubing sold separately When it comes to classical aquarium décor, nothing beats a traditional treasure chest. This model connects to an air pump, and the lid will periodically open and release a cloud of bubbles. This really isn’t adding much oxygen to your aquarium, but it does provide a fun, animating component to your aquarium tank. Materials: Plastic | Dimensions: 3 x 2 x 2.5 inches Best Novelty Decoration NICREW Aquarium Volcano Ornament Kit Credit: Amazon $20 $16 at Amazon What We Like Provides additional aeration and water flow Suctions to the bottom of the tank for easy installation Multi-colored LEDs for variety What We Don't Like Needs air pump, sold separately What tank is complete without a towering inferno of bubbles? The NICREW Aquarium Volcano Ornament kit comes with a solid resin mountain structure and an aerator/light insert. This system is very easy to install, and there are even suction cups on the bottom of the aerator disc to keep it in place. It comes in both a multi-color option or solid red to mimic a lava flow. This decoration will also improve your water flow and oxygen levels while bringing a fanciful element to your tank. Materials: Resin | Dimensions: 5.6 inch circumference at base x 3.6 inch height Best for Small Fish Penn-Plax Spongebob Squarepants Pineapple House Credit: Amazon $12 at Amazon View on Chewy View on Petco What We Like Colorful and funny Excellent hiding spot for small fish What We Don't Like Medium-sized fish can get stuck inside No list of aquarium decorations would be complete without an under-the-sea pineapple house. However, this cave really needs to be for small fish only. We have seen goldfish get stuck in this cave multiple times. We’re not sure what it is about this cave that is just irresistible to try and squeeze themselves into, but then they get stuck and injure themselves trying to get out. SO, small fish only. Materials: Resin | Dimensions: 3 inch circumference x 5.25 inch height Best for Bettas Zoo Med Laboratories Betta Bed Leaf Hammock Credit: Amazon $7 $2 at Amazon What We Like Easy to install Available in multi-packs What We Don't Like Suction cups need periodic reattaching It is recommended that all betta tanks have lots of places for bettas to rest. It gets tiring swimming in a ball gown all day! The best option is to install a betta leaf along the side of your aquarium, up high enough where your fish can enjoy looking at their surroundings. Simpler is better for these structures, so the basic Zoo Med Betta Bed Leaf Hammock is a cheap and inexpensive way to greatly improve your betta’s quality of life. Materials: Plastic | Dimensions: 2.5 x 1 inches Best for Goldfish Underwater River with Air Pump Credit: Practical Garden Ponds $21 $15 at Amazon View on Practicalgardenponds.com What We Like Provides additional aeration Certain fish love playing in bubble curtains Includes air pump What We Don't Like Tricky installation Goldfish are excellent foragers, so their environment should include some elements that help stir up the bottom debris. What better way to do this than to install an “underwater river?” This trick of the eye utilizes a small bar aerator under a plastic bridge. The bubbles run upwards along the clear insert and up to the surface, creating a bubble curtain that will delight goldfish in particular. Materials: Plastic | Dimensions: 10 x 2.5 x 6 inches Best Fern Underwater Treasures Spade Fern Fish Plant, 8.5-in Credit: Amazon View on Amazon View on Chewy View on Walmart What We Like Realistic looking Multiple levels and textures Can use in both freshwater and saltwater tanks What We Don't Like Plants all grouped in one base makes it less conducive for a fish to hide The Spade Fern Fish Plant from Underwater Treasures is a brightly colored group of faux plants. It's suitable for use in either freshwater or saltwater aquariums. The realistic-looking plants have a maximum height of 8.5 inches, with various levels and textures within, and the green foliage edges are tinged with yellow. The decorative addition offers a variety of ferns and plants, but since they are all grouped together on one base, it can be hard for any fish to hide within. Materials: Plastic | Dimensions: 8.85 x 15.9 x 3.45 inches Best Grasses Underwater Treasures Carp Grass Credit: Chewy View on Chewy View on Walmart View on Petlife.com What We Like Six separate plants Can be arrange in groupings or separately Natural look What We Don't Like All one height Although the plants are plastic, the Carp Grass from Underwater Treasures looks natural—especially once placed underwater. Each package contains six separate plants that you can place in a group or individually throughout an aquarium, allowing fish to hide and swim as they navigate the new additions to their space. But the plants are all one height, so the overall look tends to be very uniform. Materials: Plastic | Dimensions: 5.45 x 6.15 x 1.45 inches Best Anchor Penn-Plax Anchor & Plant Aquarium Ornament Credit: Chewy $19 at Amazon View on Chewy View on Target What We Like Realistic-looking Includes plant Nice size and height What We Don't Like No hiding spots The Penn-Plax Anchor & Plant Aquarium Ornament adds a unique charm to any aquarium. The realistic-looking anchor with a chain is almost eight inches tall and made out of non-toxic resin. It's adorned with silky-feeling, natural-looking plants but doesn't offer much in the way of hiding spots for fish. However, it is suitable for placement in freshwater and saltwater aquariums. Materials: Plastic | Dimensions: 5.25 x 1.75 x 7.5 inches Best Arch Underwater Treasures Boulder Arch Credit: Amazon $27 $15 at Amazon What We Like Detailed, natural stone look Fish can swim through and around Handcrafted and painted resin What We Don't Like Potentially too large for smaller tanks The Underwater Treasures Boulder Arch aquarium ornament is made from hand-crafted and hand-painted resin, and it instantly adds an ancient look to any aquarium. The structure is designed to invite fish to swim through the arch and around the structure as they navigate around their tank. The arch itself is very detailed and has a natural stone appearance with moss. The ornament is slightly over ten inches in height and nine inches wide, so it might feel too overwhelming for smaller tanks. Materials: Resin | Dimensions: 10 x 2 x 9 inches Best Character Penn-Plax Spongebob 6-Piece Aquarium Ornaments Credit: Amazon $26 at Amazon What We Like Easy to set up Officially licensed Colorful What We Don't Like Doesn't move within tank What better way to spruce up your tank than with Spongebob and pals? Made of resin and painted to look exactly like the characters on the show, these are perfect miniatures of Spongebob, Sandy Cheeks, Patrick Star, Plankton, Mr Krabs, and Squidward Tentacles. They are heavy enough to stay at the bottom of the tank but can still be picked up and cleaned with anything but soap. Though they don’t move or add an extra purpose to the fish tank, their joyful expressions and the childhood nostalgia that they bring make them more than worthy of an inclusion in your tank. Materials: Resin | Dimensions: 7.5 x 1.9 x 7.75 inches Best Bubbler Uniclife Aquarium Ornament Bubbler Credit: Amazon $17 at Amazon What We Like Adds oxygen to the water Increases water circulation Easy to set-up What We Don't Like Not realistic looking Doesn’t include a pump Adding an air stone to your tank allows more oxygen to be dispersed, making it easier for your fish to breathe. This option from Uniclife is fantastic, offering multiple stems on one easy-to-install base. Though it doesn’t look completely like an underwater species, bearing some striking resemblance to a pool noodle, it still has enough underwater flair to fit into any aquarium to set it up, all you have to do is attach the air hose into the back of the piece and put the other into a pump, which is not included. Materials: Resin | Dimensions: 5 x 5.8 inches Best Saltwater Sand CaribSea Arag-Alive Reef Sand Credit: Amazon $37 at Amazon What We Like Adds flair and ambiance to the tank Nice decoration Keeps water fresh and healthy What We Don't Like An expert sand You don’t often think of the sand or pebbles on the bottom of your tank as a decoration, but they give just as much flair, color, and ambiance as any other item in the tank. CaribSea Arag-Alive Saltwater Gravel is designed for saltwater aquariums with expensive fish that need to be taken care of and kept safe. It's packed with live bacteria that cycle the water and keep it fresh and healthy. For every one pound of sand, you should have one gallon of water to make sure your system is properly tuned. It’s a bit of an expert sand, but if you want the best for your tank, then it's worth a purchase. Materials: Sand | Dimensions: N/A Best Ship M2cbridge Blue Pirate Shipwreck Credit: Amazon $25 at Amazon What We Like Space for fish to hide Easy to install Non-toxic What We Don't Like A bit large Nothing says underwater like a broken-down pirate ship, so why not put this beauty in your tank? This ship is hand-painted and is non-toxic, making it perfect for any freshwater or saltwater tank. Smaller fish can fit inside its crevices, hiding next to the unfortunate sailor who made the wrong turn at an iceberg. It is very fairly large, coming in at 9 inches, but that just means it makes an even better centerpiece for your new aquarium. It’s also easy to install, and with a flat bottom that you can cover with gravel, it will stay put even in rocky waters. Materials: Resin | Dimensions: 9 x 8.7 x 3.1 What to Consider When Shopping for Aquarium Decorations Saltwater vs. Freshwater All commercially made aquarium décor items are safe for both freshwater and saltwater setups. It does not make a difference which you use. If your décor item has any small metallic components, which are not ideal in fish tanks, they will corrode faster in saltwater than freshwater. Installation In order to successfully install most décor items, you may need to bury them in your substrate. Some will have larger bases that do not make this necessary. If you do not have enough substrate in the bottom of your tank, you may need to add a little more around décor items. Never glue any items to the bottom of your tank. Materials Whenever you add something new to your aquarium, you MUST make certain it is made of fish-safe materials. Typically, this will be plastics that do not degrade in water or natural rock elements. It is not recommended to take any materials, such as rocks and sticks, from the environment and add them to your aquarium. Even after aggressive soaking, some of these elements are not suitable for your fish’s health. FAQ How do you clean aquarium decorations? The best method to clean soft, artificial plants is to remove them from the aquarium and soak them for 5 minutes in hot water. Silicone elements should be cleaned in warm water. After 5 minutes, give them a thorough rinse and a light rub before rinsing them in treated water and putting them back in the aquarium. Hard resin décor can be scrubbed with a dedicated scrub brush under hot tap water and rinsed in treated water before returning to the aquarium. How do you get algae off aquarium decorations? The best method to remove algae from your decorations is to remove them from the tank and clean them as listed above. There is no way to avoid algae in a fish tank. Can you clean aquarium decorations with bleach or vinegar? It is not recommended to clean your aquarium decorations with any cleaning agents if they are being returned to the same system. If you are using old decorations in a new system, they can be soaked in a 10% bleach solution for 10 minutes and then thoroughly rinsed in tap water and treated water before adding them to the tank. Any suspected Mycobacterial infections should be treated with Lysol, instead of bleach, since this will penetrate the cell wall better. Why Trust The Spruce Pets? In her 10 years as a private practice fish veterinarian and previous owner of a fish store, Dr. Jessie Sanders DVM, CertAqV, has seen firsthand the wide variety of decorations available to fish owners. The biggest issue she sees in practice is owners who select items that are not correctly sized for their fish. Adding adequate and size-appropriate hiding places is one of the easiest options to decrease stress in fish and increase their health overall. Make sure there are enough hiding places for everyone so the fish don’t have to compete over the best one. It is also in the best interest of your fish to mix up their environment every once in a while to provide them more enrichment and mental stimulation. Steven Arsach, a writer for The Spruce Pets who has a lot of thoughts about pet products, also contributed to this article. Using Powerheads For Water Circulation In Saltwater Aquariums Explore more: What to Buy Aquarium Reviews Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement