The Best Fish Tank Decorations - 2020 Guide

Owning a fish is a wonderful experience and included in that is the creativity it allows you when it comes to decorating their tank. You have the freedom to decorate the tank to your taste, using whatever aquarium supplies you like, whether that is a tank with lots of different bright colors, or a more natural looking aquarium.

There are so many different types of decorations out there and it can be difficult to know which are going to be the best fish tank decorations for your tank. Fortunately, there is not really any right or wrong way to decorate a tank! You have complete control and can make the aquarium look any way you like.

However, there are a few things you need to know before decorating begins, which we have laid out in this guide. Below we will discuss whether you really need them, what you should be looking for in them and have even included some of our top picks of the best fish tank decorations so you can get the best aquarium decor out there. Keep reading on to find out more.

Do I Need Fish Tank Decorations?

If you don’t want any decorations in your fishbowl, you don’t have to have them! Decorations purely serve as a visual pleaser and actually have no effect on the life of your fish. However, because of the way they look, many owners love to have decorations in their tank.

The best fish tank decorations can be a fun way to customize and personalize your fish tank so it is completely unique and stands out from the crowd! There are so many different types of decorations out there that your aquarium can pretty much look however you want it to look! They can also create a great aesthetic to increase enjoyment when looking at your aquatic haven.

You could go for a more natural theme with organic decorations, or for a wacky theme with lots of multicolored decorations with different designs, shapes and sizes. The sky is really the limit when it comes to fish tank decoration and this is the reason they are so popular.

What To Look For In The Best Fish Tank Decorations

There are a few things you should take into consideration before choosing and buying your aquarium accessories to make sure they are right for your aquarium and your fish.

Size

Fish need a lot of space to swim around and so the size of your tank is very important when it comes to picking your decorations. You do not want to pick decorations that are too large or have too many of them in the aquarium, otherwise the space will feel very cramped for your fish.

You should make sure that your decorations aren’t concentrated in one space and instead spread them throughout the tank. This will also give your fish more room to move around in. Try to stick to the 2:3 ratio rule — for every two tall structures, you should have about 2 or 3 medium structures to balance out the space.

Natural vs. Non Natural

Whether you choose natural or non natural decorations is completely up to you and does not affect your fish or their life at all. It will be down to you to pick whether you want your tank to have a more natural feel or to be a bit more out there with interesting structures and colors! Natural decorations include wood, plants and gravel and will mimic a natural habitat, while non natural decorations can be very different and certainly draw the eye!

Color

The colors you choose to have in your fish tank go hand in hand in, whether you want a more natural feel or not. If you do want a natural feel, you will stick with decorations that are brown and green in color. If you want something that really pops, you could go for bright colors that stand out, and you can even add to that with colorful fish tank gravel too.

The color of your fish is something to take into consideration. If you have multicolored fish then you might want to go for a plain background with plain decorations, such as the color white so they stand out more. If your fish are darker, you could go for neon colors so the tank really stands out against them.

Plants

Aquarium plants are beneficial to any fish tank. Not only do they look cool and make the tank look more authentic, but they more closely mimic a natural habitat for your fish as they will be able to brush up against them.

Live plants are particularly beneficial to a fishbowl because they add oxygen to the water and remove carbon dioxide/ammonia. They can also help to reduce algae growth, but they do take a lot of time to maintain and keep healthy. In many ways they are the best fish tank decorations as they work well to maintain your water and tank.

Artificial plants, on the other hand, come readily set up and are available in many sizes and colors. They, of course, do not have the benefits of live plants, but are very easy to maintain. It is up to you whether you decide to choose live or artificial plants.

If you’re ready to find the best fish tank decorations for your tank, take a look below at the top 15 decorations we recommend. These best sellers are all available to you on Amazon.

The Best Fish Tank Decorations — Reviewed

1) Miracliy Castle Aquarium Decorations

This aquarium fish tank castle from Miracliy is made of non-toxic resin which is completely safe for your fish. Providing a fun and eye-catching decoration, this castle will give your aquarium a mystical vibe that will certainly stand out! The bright colors will make sure your tank pops, giving your fish a unique place to live. The castle has unique details and areas for your fish to swim around and through too, keep hem stimulated and engaged. With a flat bottom, this decoration can be placed directly into the tank with ease. It measures 10 inches high and 9.4 inches long, great for a variety of tank sizes.

2) Penn-Plax Nickelodeon SpongeBob SquarePants Aquarium Ornament

Perfect for any SpongeBob SquarePants lover, this fish tank ornament is a replica of the iconic pineapple house from the show. Not only is this decoration great for any fan, but it also gives a fun and playful vibe to your fish tank with bright colors that stand out. The pineapple house stands at 5 inches tall and is therefore great for an array of tank sizes and perfect for small to medium fish. Your fish can swim in and out of the house too to keep them stimulated. The decoration has a sturdy bottom and will stay in place at the bottom of the tank. It is also easy to remove and clean as and when is needed.

3) Pietypet Fish Tank Plants with Rockery View

These artificial plant and rock decorations from Pietypet are great for anyone who wants a more natural look to their tank. With eight different plants, you can arrange these plants in any way you want to create a more natural habitat for your fish and they can easily swim throughout the plants and really feel at home! The artificial plants measure between 5 and 18 cm tall, making them the perfect addition to a tank of any size.

They are made from non-toxic plastic and resin and have a ceramic base, great for both fresh and salt water tanks, do not affect the pH in the tank. All the plants have a heavy base so they will stay at the bottom of the tank, too.

4) CNZ Artificial Plastic Plant

The artificial plastic plant from CNZ measures 16 inches tall and is great for larger tanks. Bright red and green in color, this plant adds color to your tank while also retaining a natural feel, perfect for those who want their tank to be more of a natural habitat but still want the aquarium to stand out! The plant part of the decoration is made of non-toxic plastic and will not harm your fish and the bottom is made of ceramic. Therefore, this decoration is very durable and stays at the bottom of your tank securely.

5) Penn-Plax Castle Aquarium Decoration

Another castle decoration, this castle from Penn-Plex is perfect for anyone who wants to give their tank a mystical and fun vibe! This decoration features a large grey castle perched upon a rocky hill with a flowing waterfall underneath. The cone shaped roof, archways and stone details give a realistic feel, great for ensuring your tank stands out from the crowd!

There are plenty of areas for your fish to swim around and through this castle and, measuring 14.8 inches high, this decoration is great for a range of different tank sizes. It is made of safe and durable resin and is hand painted with detail. It is also safe for use in both freshwater tanks and saltwater tanks.

6) QUMY Large Artificial Plastic Plant

Similar to the CNZ artificial plant we mention above, the artificial plant from QUMY provides both a natural feel to your fish tank while also adding a splash of color. Measuring 15.7 inches high, this large plant is great for bigger tanks and replicates the environment your fish would live in in the wild. Made of non-toxic plastic, this decoration will not hurt your fish and, because it isn’t live, it is a lot easier to take care of! With a ceramic base, this plant stays at the bottom of the tank and provides a beautiful decoration that livens up any aquarium.

7) GreenJoy 12 Pack Aquarium Aquatic Fish Tank Decorations

This pack of aquarium tank decorations from GreenJoy includes twelve different decorations — a tree trunk and a broken barrel, a blue starfish and nine plastic plants — perfect for creating an exciting home for your fish! Made from 100% natural resin material, these decorations are completely safe and will not harm your fish. The small plants measure no higher than 8.6 inches and are soft enough for your fish to brush past without being hurt, while also providing a natural feel to the tank.

The tree trunk and barrel provide small fish a place to swim through and hide, while also stimulating them and keeping them entertained. They are all easy to clean and maintenance of these decorations is very easy. The perfect starter kit for any new fish owner!

8) SLOCME Aquarium Shipwreck Decoration

This shipwreck decoration from SLOCME is perfect for anyone who wants a dramatic and unusual theme for their fish tank! Fun and interesting to look at, this shipwreck is painted with detail and funky colors to really draw the eye and impress. It is made from resin material that is non-toxic and non-pollutant, making it completely safe for the fish and water and the colors will not fade over time.

It measures 9 inches long and is therefore great for a number of different sizes tanks — not too small but it also won’t take up too much room! There are also spaces for your fish to swim through to keep them entertained, and the shipwreck is easy to clean when needed.

9) SLOCME Aquarium Ornaments Resin Castle Decoration

Another decoration from SLOCME, this castle decoration features great detail to add an exciting and fun theme to your tank. Featuring lots of spaces for your fish to swim through, this castle really stands out yet the gray color also means it can be added to a more natural looking tank without drawing too much attention away from the fish.

This decoration is made from resin material that is non-toxic and non-pollutant and so it is 100% safe for your fish and the water they live in. It measures 8 inches in length and 5.8 inches high, great for a range of tank sizes. The resin material ensures that this castle can stand steadily on it’s own and it is also easy to clean.

10) FEDOUR Aquarium Mountain View Stone Ornament

This stone ornament from FEDOUR is the perfect addition to any natural looking tank. This decoration looks 100% real and features rock, moss and small plants that allow you to build a beautiful aquarium landscape. The design of the aquarium rock means that fish can swim around and through easily and, measuring only 5.9 inches high, this decoration is perfect for even the smallest of tanks.

It is made of resin which is both durable and non-toxic, making it completely safe for your fish. Even better, included with the rock are six small artificial plants that, again, add to the natural look of the tank and help to create an attractive habitat for your fish.

11) PIVBY Natural Aquarium Driftwood

This authentic natural driftwood for PIVBY is the perfect decoration for those who want a natural look and feel to their fish tank. Made of high grade driftwood, this decoration is solid and durable and is long lasting underwater. There are three pieces in this pack measuring from 4.5 to 9.5 inches in length and the unique shapes of each piece add to the aesthetic of the tank. Lightweight yet sturdy, this driftwood sits comfortably at the bottom of any tank and your fish will love to shelter within it.

12) Penn-Plax Wizard’s Castle Aquarium Decoration

This decoration from Penn-Plax is another castle ornament that gives a fun and different aesthetic to a fish tank. With a castle perched upon a rocky hill and the detailed cone shaped roof, archways and stones, this decoration is certainly eye-catching and allows you to build a magnificent display for both your home and your fish! There are many hideaways for your fish to use and, being double-sided, it can be placed anywhere within your tank.

It measures 8 inches wide by 10.2 inches high by 6.2 inches deep and is made of safe and durable resin. It is also hand painted with detail and is safe for use in both freshwater aquariums and saltwater aquariums.

13) Miracliy Resin Broken Barrel Aquarium Decoration

This broken barrel decoration from Miracliy provides a vibrant and interesting display for your tank. The bright colors really pop and stand out and the interesting shape and design will provide entertainment not only to your fish, but also to those who visit the house! Measuring 5 inches long and 3.9 inches high, this decoration is great for a number of different tank sizes. It is made of high quality resin and is completely safe for fresh water tanks. It also won’t fade with use and is very durable! With a flat bottom, this broken barrel is easy to stand on it’s own and doesn’t take any time to set up.

14) Otterly Pets Large Artificial Plastic Plants

Perfect for those who want a natural looking and authentic fish tank, this set of four artificial plastic plants from Otterly Pets give a bright and vibrant feel to your tank while still looking genuine! The four aquatic plant ornaments range in size from 4 to 12 inches, making them a great fit for 20 gallon tanks and larger. They are made from inert non-metallic plastic and have a ceramic base, meaning they are free from rust and rot, do not affect the pH or water chemistry and are perfectly safe for your fish.

The ceramic base is solid and weighted, meaning the plants will stay at the bottom of the tank, too. The bright green, purple and yellow colors of these plants make them pop while still looking natural, great for any type of tank!

15) SLOCME Aquarium Classical Resin Tower Decoration

This Classical Eastern Tower from SLOCME is made of non-toxic and non-pollutant resin material, making is completely safe for your fish. The fun tower design perched on rocks has exquisite detail and, with multiple places for your fish to swim through, it keeps both your fish and spectators entertained! This decoration measures 6.7 inches length by 5.5 inches high by 3.9 inches wide and is double sided so can be placed anywhere in your tank.

It is safe for use in both freshwater and saltwater and will not fade over time. Perfect for those who want an interesting piece in their fish tank, this tower keeps your aquarium attractive and fun to look at!

Best Fish Tank Decorations FAQ’s

What types of fish tank decorations are there?

There are lots of different types of fish tank decorations! There are plastic plants, live plants and ceramic caves that your fish can swim in and out of. There are also bubblers and artificial coral as well as natural decorations such as driftwood, shells and dead coral. There are so many to choose from and the sky is the limit when it comes to decorating! There are even brightly colored fish tank gravel and sand to set the tone for your tank!

Can I put wood in my fish tank?

You cannot just put any type of wood in your aquarium. Wood that goes into your tank needs to be treated, otherwise it will just rot and cause health problems for your fish. The exception is driftwood, which does not decompose and so is safe for your tank.

Can I put plastic toys in my fish tank?

Plastic is usually safe in your fish tank, especially if the toy is made of non-toxic material. If the toy is labelled as food-safe, then it will be safe to put into your tank. You should avoid painted plastics and anything unsealed that could leak harmful substances into the water.

Summary

Choosing the best fish tank decorations is one of the most enjoyable jobs as a fish owner. With so many different types of fish tank decor to choose from, you can ensure your tank is completely unique and let your imagination run wild. Whether you’re going for a more natural look or want a brightly colored neon tank, there are lots of different decorations out there so you can create the perfect environment for your fish. Always make sure the decorations are completely safe and non-toxic so they do not harm your fish.

Check out our other Fish Tank, Food & Accessories posts here:

The Best Fish Tank Decorations – 2020 Guide