Aquarium decorations: what to look for and what to avoid
Aquarium decorations cover everything from simple caves and hides to ornaments and artificial plants, and the main thing that matters across all of them is whether a product is genuinely made for aquarium use — anything not sold for that purpose can leach substances or have sharp edges that a decoration built for a fish tank has already been designed around.
Caves, hides and ornaments
A cave or hide gives fish somewhere to retreat and feel secure, which matters more than it might look for species that are naturally shy or territorial, and it can noticeably reduce stress in a tank that previously had nowhere for a nervous fish to hide.
Check any ornament for smooth edges and openings large enough for your fish to turn around in comfortably, rather than a tight tunnel a fish could get stuck in. Resin and ceramic ornaments made specifically for aquariums are generally the safer choice over painted or metal-containing novelty items.
Artificial vs live plants
Artificial plants need no light or feeding and cannot die or foul the water the way a struggling live plant can, which makes them a reliable, low-maintenance option, particularly for a newer tank or one without strong lighting.
Live plants can help with water quality and give a more natural environment, but they need appropriate lighting and occasional care to thrive rather than rot. Choose good quality, aquarium-specific artificial plants with soft rather than sharp-edged leaves if fish will be swimming through them regularly.
Preparing new decorations
Rinse any new decoration thoroughly under running water before it goes in the tank, and inspect it for loose parts, sharp edges or a strong chemical smell, which can be a sign it is not genuinely intended for aquarium use.
Adding new decor to an established, stocked tank is generally fine as long as it has been properly cleaned first, unlike substrate changes, which are more disruptive. Introduce one or two new pieces at a time rather than rearranging the whole tank at once, so fish can adjust gradually.
What to avoid
Avoid anything not specifically sold for aquarium use, including painted ornaments, items containing metal that could corrode, or anything with rough, unfinished edges. If a product does not say it is safe for aquariums, treat that as a reason to look elsewhere rather than assume it is fine.
Also avoid overcrowding a tank with decorations to the point that fish have limited open space to swim, since that can be as stressful for some species as having nowhere to hide at all.
What we stock
Everything below is in stock with us, priced with delivery worked out, and packed and posted by hand in the UK.
Large Aquarium Maintenance Set
A 48-inch condensation tray, a 22-inch glass scraper, a digital thermometer and 250ml of AquaSafe for a big tank.
£32.49
Supa Aquarium Net
Supa aquarium nets in coarse and fine meshes for fish catching and tank maintenance
From£1.65
Marina Digital Aquarium Thermometer
A digital aquarium thermometer that mounts on the outside of the glass and reads easily
£3.49
Marina Deluxe Aquarium Scraper
A four-in-one aquarium tool: two pad faces, a scraper blade and a planter fork
£8.79
Marina Floating Aquarium Thermometer
A floating aquarium thermometer with a safe-zone marker for tropical fish
£3.49
Supa Condensation Tray
A 48-inch aquarium condensation tray, shielding the hood's electrics from tank water
£11.49
Aquatic Roman Gravel Jet Black
2kg jet black aquarium gravel, inert and colourfast for coldwater, tropical or marine tanks
£3.99
Pettex Aquatic Roman Gravel Natural Lakeland
Natural Lakeland-tone aquarium gravel for coldwater, tropical or saltwater tanks
From£3.99
Pettex Aquatic Roman Gravel Blend Mix
Natural blended-colour aquarium gravel for coldwater, tropical and saltwater tanks
From£3.99
Roman Gravel Jet Black
8kg of natural jet black aquarium gravel for coldwater, tropical and saltwater set-ups
£12.49
Rosewood Pet Keeper Plastic Tank Medium
7.2L ventilated plastic holding tank for small pets and fish, 30 x 30 x 20cm
£13.49
Common questions
- Do I need to clean new aquarium decorations before adding them?
- Yes, always rinse a new decoration thoroughly under running water and check it for loose parts or sharp edges before it goes in the tank. This removes dust and any manufacturing residue that could otherwise affect water quality.
- Are artificial plants as good as live plants for fish tanks?
- They serve a different purpose rather than being strictly better or worse. Artificial plants are low-maintenance and cannot die or foul the water, while live plants can support water quality and offer a more natural environment, but need appropriate light and care to thrive.
- Can I use ornaments that aren't made for aquariums?
- It is best to avoid this. Items not specifically sold for aquarium use can have paint, metal components or edges that are not safe for fish, so stick to products labelled and sold for aquarium use even if a similar-looking item is available elsewhere.
- How many decorations should I put in a fish tank?
- Enough to give fish places to hide or explore without overcrowding the tank to the point they have limited open space to swim. The right balance depends on the size of the tank and the species kept, but leaving clear swimming room matters as much as providing hiding spots.
Related
Written by Matt Garnett, who runs Giddy Pets and is a lifelong pet owner — not a vet. This is general information, not veterinary advice, and it cannot replace an examination by the vet who knows your animal. How we write these guides.