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.
Tetra Goldfish Flakes
Complete goldfish flakes in several pack sizes, with a shared formula across the family
From£3.02
Tetra Goldfish Granules
Complete granules for goldfish, with a shared formula across both pack options
From£3.98
Tetra Prima Mini Granules
Slow-sinking granules for mid-water and bottom-feeding fish, blending herbivore and omnivore diets
£6.10
Tetra Aquasafe
A water conditioner that neutralises chlorine and heavy metals, with an added vitamin B mix
From£6.41
Tetra Pond Fish Food Variety Sticks
Complete Tetra Pond Variety Sticks in three colours, across four pack sizes
From£6.41
Tetra Koi Pond Fish Food Sticks
Complete fast-soaking Tetra Pond Koi Sticks, available in four pack sizes
From£6.41
Tetramin
Complete TetraMin flake food for ornamental fish, offered across several pack sizes
From£2.39
Tetra Temperate Flakes
Complete flakes for subtropical fish kept at 18–23°C, with vegetable ingredients
£6.99
Tetra Pond Fish Food Sticks
Complete fast-soaking Tetra Pond Sticks for pond fish, in seven pack sizes
From£4.77
Tetra Japan
Sinking dry pellets for fancy goldfish, with pack-specific label information shown clearly
From£4.56
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.