Pet Keen is reader-supported. When you buy via links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you. Learn more.

10 Best Aquarium Decorations 2023 – Reviews & Top Picks

Aquascaping RocksAquarium decorations are as important as the aquarium itself. Without the right decorations, your fish are liable to get bored, and may even become depressed due to a lack of stimulation and engagement. Not to mention, spending time near your aquarium while keeping your fish company can get kind of boring for you. So, you owe it to yourself and your pet fish to find the best aquarium decorations on the market that will engage your fish and perform as eye candy for the humans spending time in your home.

But finding the right aquarium decorations is a tough task, especially when quality, performance, engagement, and longevity are kept in mind. Luckily, we’ve done all the hard work for you. We have delved into the world of aquarium decorations and we’ve put many of the best options on the market to the test. We are eager to share what we have learned! Here are our reviews for what we think are the best aquarium decorations you’ll find online.


A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites

Image Product Details
Best Overall
Winner
Marina Polyresin Marina Polyresin
  • Structured for a long life
  • Enchanting design reminiscent of the tropics
  • Offers stimulation and engagement to your fish
  • Best Value
    Second place
    Penn-Plax Squidwards Penn-Plax Squidwards
  • Features an intricate design
  • Made with non-toxic resin
  • Allows fish to hide, breed, and raise young
  • Premium Choice
    Third place
    Underwater Galleries Cichlid Underwater Galleries Cichlid
  • Made of high-quality materials
  • Features hand-glazed stones
  • Offers a safe and secure place for fish to hide in
  • Tetra Blooming Collection Anemone Tetra Blooming Collection Anemone
  • Compatible with the Tetra LED lighting system
  • Compact design makes room for even more décor
  • Offers an appealing, lifelike design
  • Pisces USA Seiryu Pisces USA Seiryu
  • Includes an impressive 17-pounds of rock
  • Easy to install and maintain
  • The 10 Best Aquarium Decorations – Reviews 2023

     1. Marina Polyresin Cave Aquarium Décor – Best Overall

    Marina Ecoscaper

    Imagine exploring an underwater cavern that’s eerie yet intriguing as you make your way through the waters of the Polynesian Islands. You can give your fish this same experience by putting a Marina Polyresin Cave Aquarium Décor. Your fish will enjoy hours of swimming through the cavern and can find a quiet place to sleep in the “dark depths” of the cave.

    And you can enjoy the thought of exploring the cavern with your pet fish on a rainy weekend afternoon. This aquarium décor will add style, depth, and life to your fish aquarium. Design with materials that won’t affect your tanks’ water chemistry, you can count on this décor to hold up to wear and tear for years to come.

    Pros
    • Structured for a long life
    • Enchanting design reminiscent of the tropics
    • Offers stimulation and engagement to your fish
    Cons
    • Can be difficult to install and anchor

    2. Penn-Plax Squidwards Home Aquarium Ornament – Best Value

    Penn-Plax Squidwards

    If you’re interested in the best aquarium decorations for the money, you shouldn’t overlook the Penn-Plax Squidwards Home Aquarium Ornament. We didn’t name this as our number one pick just because it’s targeted toward Sponge Bob Square Pants fans, where our first choice is more universal.

    But even if you aren’t the biggest Sponge Bob fan, you can’t deny the intricate beauty this décor provides you and the extra swim and hiding space it offers your fish. Your fish will spend hours swimming in, out, and through this solid piece of décor. A quick wipe down a couple time a year should keep it free of moss and debris buildup. This structure features a non-toxic resin design that is safe for fish and your aquarium’s water pH balance.

    Pros
    • Features an intricate design
    • Allows fish to hide, breed, and raise young
    • Made with non-toxic resin
    Cons
    • Not suitable for small aquariums
    • Designed more for functionality than décor

    3. Underwater Galleries Cichlid Aquarium Stone Caves – Premium Choice

    Underwater Galleries

    This is one of the highest quality options on the market, yet also one of the most expensive which is why we’ve chosen it as our third choice in this aquarium decor reviews list. Featuring hand-glazed ceramic stones that have been individually poured to guarantee that each piece is unique.

    Your fish won’t be able to resist making their way through the various mazes that you make for them using these stone caves. The caves offer a safe-haven atmosphere that will allow your fish to explore without getting bored. You can create a new cave swimming experience once a week if you want to! They can even use the space to raise their young if you allow your fish to breed.

    Pros
    • Made of high-quality materials
    • Features hand-glazed stones
    • Offers a safe and secure place for fish to hide in
    Cons
    • May be an expensive investment
    • Owners must create their own designs

    4. Tetra Blooming Collection Anemone Aquarium Décor

    Tetra Blooming Collection

    This beautiful piece of aquarium décor looks like real anemone and sways in the water to create an animation that’s exciting for fish and eye-appealing for you. The décor is compatible with the Tetra ColorFusion Universal Color-Changing LED Light that will provide your aquarium with awe-inspiring drama when the sun goes down. Safe for both fresh and saltwater aquariums, you can count on lots of life out of this dynamic décor.

    This piece is also small enough to fit in a corner so you can add many other types of décor to your aquarium without making it look and feel cluttered. When paired with the LED light, you can brighten up plants, castles, and caves that are surrounding this lifelike anemone décor.

    Pros
    • Offers an appealing, lifelike design
    • Compatible with the Tetra LED lighting system
    • Compact design makes room for even more décor
    Cons
    • Can be susceptible to damage from aggressive fish
    • Small stature can get lost in large aquariums

    5. Pisces USA Seiryu Aquarium Rock

    Pisces USA

    These realistic stones will turn any ordinary aquarium into an amazing Amano or Iwagumi aquascape that will impress you as much as it does your fish. Featuring 17 pounds of unique professionally designed rocks, this package offers plenty of coverage for aquariums small and large. These rocks can be used on their own to create an aquatic “desert” design or combined with another décor to create a unique lush scape that your fish can get lost in.

    The assorted shapes and sizes can be stacked on top of each other to build a full stone wall along the back of your aquarium. These stones also make great bases for plant life and other living décor that you may enjoy keeping in your aquarium.

    Pros
    • Includes an impressive 17-pounds of rock
    • Easy to install and maintain
    Cons
    • May not last as long as more expensive options on the market
    • Bland color won’t stand out among brighter rocks

    6. Marina Ecoscaper Hydrocotyle Silk Plant Aquarium Décor

    Marina Ecoscaper

    It can be tough to get live plants to thrive in an aquarium atmosphere. But thanks to the likes of the Marina Ecoscaper Hydrocotyle Silk Plant, you don’t have to worry about keeping anything alive. This aquarium décor looks like the real thing but won’t wilt after a while. Your fish will enjoy hiding behind the realistic leaves of this aquarium plant when they’re ready for a nap.

    And you are sure to enjoy the natural beauty that this plant affords not only your aquarium but your room as a whole. This is the kind of décor that will turn your aquarium into a unique piece of artwork that anyone who visits your home is sure to notice.

    Pros
    • Moves with the water to provide animation and variety for fish
    • Naturally beautiful without the need for any special care
    Cons
    • Can overpower other less exotic pieces of décor in your aquarium
    • May need to be re-installed as the base gravel moves with the water tide

    7. GloFish Aquarium Plant

    GloFish

    Turn your aquarium into a psychedelic playground for your fish to enjoy using the GloFish Aquarium Plant. This bright plant doesn’t look lifelike, but it is a lot of fun. It goes with the flow and sways in the water to provide your fish with a little variation throughout the day.

    This product includes a rock substrate that makes it easy to simply bury the base of this plant into your aquarium’s gravel. The GloFish Aquarium Plant comes in a wide variety of colors, making it easy to customize the look of your aquarium from one end to another. But this budget-friendly option may not hold up if the other décor options on our reviews list.

    Pros
    • Fun psychedelic design that brightens up under LED lights
    • Easy to bury in the aquarium’s base rock
    Cons
    • Un-lifelike design that won’t fool anyone
    • Not necessarily designed for long-lasting use

    8. Sporn Static Cling Coral Aquarium Background

    Sporn Static

    An excellent way to spice up the look and feel of your aquarium is to install a Sporn Static Cling Coral Aquarium Background. This background will cover the entire back wall of your aquarium and give the space more depth without taking up any actual real estate inside your aquarium.

    You can round out any aquarium design and make the interior look dense without having to invest in several different types of coral and plant decorations. The only downside is that this background won’t provide your fish with any engaging activities to take part in, although it should help stimulate their sense while exploring the other aquarium features that are in place.

    Pros
    • Engaging background that will fill out any aquarium
    • Easy to install and keep clean
    Cons
    • Doesn’t offer much engagement for fish
    • Can start to lose its static cling after some time of use

    9. Nature’s Ocean Natural Coral Aquarium Base Rock

    Nature's Ocean

    We added this pick to our reviews list because it comes in bulk, so you can cover your entire aquarium bottom with it. This base rock even acts as a natural, non-porous filter that will help keep your tank’s water clean as time goes on. But, as far as décor goes, this is an option that is pretty boring on its own. Without the addition of other types of aquarium décor, you can expect to look at a bland aquarium that both you and your fish will likely find uninteresting.

    Pros
    • Comes in bulk so you the entire aquarium can get covered
    • Offers natural filter performance
    Cons
    • Design isn’t very exciting
    • Requires the incorporation of other décor for a full, lush looking design

    10. Otterly Pets Aquarium Plants

    Otterly Pets

    This is a budget-friendly décor set that will allow you to fill out your aquarium without having to purchase multiple different products. There isn’t a lot of color and design variety here, but for the price it’s hard to complain about the basic design. And the lightweight plastic build may mean that you will have to replace the set before too long.

    Pros
    • Budget-friendly decorating option
    • Includes eight faux plants
    Cons
    • Flimsy design that may not hold up long
    • Can be tough to keep buried in the base rock

    Buyer’s Guide

    When it comes to buying aquarium décor, you should always keep your fish in mind. The activities that you observe them partaking in and the type of foliage you know that they like should be a part of your décor whenever possible. When you are introducing a new piece of décor into your aquarium setup, take note of how your fish interacts with it. If your fish tends to ignore it, you may want to focus on other types of aquarium décor in the future.

    Features to Look For

    There are a few key features that should be considered when purchasing new décor for your aquarium. First and foremost, a solid build should be at the top of your list. What’s the point in buying décor if it’s just going to break down in the water after a couple of months?

    You should also look for décor that features heavy bottoms or special stakes that will make it easy for you to install the décor. Pieces that are easy to keep clean should also be a priority, otherwise, you may find yourself having to fight moss and mold buildup throughout the year to keep it in good shape.divider-fishbowl

    Other Considerations

    When choosing new décor for your aquarium, it’s a good idea to read the fine print of the manufacturer’s warranty (if one is included) so you know exactly how to get your décor replaced or repaired if necessary. You may also want to consider the materials that your current décor is made of, so you have an opportunity to choose complementing materials.

    Knowing what the materials are made of will help you determine whether the décor will be safe for your fish and your aquarium. If you are ever in doubt, there are plenty of other décor options to choose from so don’t be afraid to skip over something cute, interactive, or lifelike in fear that you won’t find a safer option – because chances are that you will.

    We hope this list of the best aquarium decoration reviews is helpful and makes the job of buying décor for your own home’s fish tank a cinch.  Our number one choice of aquarium décor is definitely the Marina Polyresin Cave Aquarium Décor because of its interesting design, easy to install functionality and sturdy build. Out vote for number two overall is the Penn-Plax Squidwards Home Aquarium Ornament due to its deep cozy swimming spots for fish and its ability to blend in with a host of different kinds of aquarium décor.

    But the truth is that you can’t go wrong with any of the aquarium décor options that you find on our reviews list here. Do you have any suggestions of your own?  We’d love to hear about it in the comments section below!


    Featured Image Credit By: Nature’s Ocean, chewy

    Our vets

    Want to talk to a vet online?

    Whether you have concerns about your dog, cat, or other pet, trained vets have the answers!

    Our vets