5 Fish Tank Decorations To Turn Your Aquarium Into Your Pet’s Happy Place

Published on 9/7/2022 at 12:28 PM

Bringing a new fish home can be super exciting, and decorating his tank can be a fun part of the process. But since there are so many interesting and exciting options out there, you might not know where to start.

Fish tank decorations are more than just nice for you to look at — they’re designed to make your BFF feel right at home in his tank. So how should you go about finding the best tank decor for your fish?

We spoke with Jamie Fischer, a veterinary nurse with DodoVet, who explained that the best fish tank decorations are nontoxic, replicate a natural environment and provide enrichment.

If you’re in the market for fish tank decorations, you’re going to need a few different things that will really make your pet's tank feel like home.

"There should be some sort of substrate at the bottom of the tank," Fischer told The Dodo. "Either sand, gravel, pebbles, rocks, etc." This mimics the ground in your fish's natural environment in the wild.

But your fish tank's going to need more than that. "You may also want to choose some sort of enrichment object, such as a tunnel or ceramic house of sorts," Fischer said. "Plants can be a pretty addition as well as a nice place for fish to rest or hide."

No matter which fish tank decorations you decide to get, make sure they’re specifically labeled for use in a fish tank. According to Fischer, that's how you know they’re safe for your fish's environment.

Steer clear of anything that's made of wood, plastic or certain painted or glazed ceramics, and not labeled for use in a fish tank, because it can be dangerous for your fish.

"These often have paint or chemicals that have not been sealed, which means they can leak into the water after extended periods of time," Fischer said. "If it is not labeled for use in a fish tank, it might contain toxic chemicals."

If you’re trying to figure out how many decorations you need, and where you should put them in your fish tank, keep in mind that it's all about balance.

"A good general rule of thumb is to fill about 50 percent of your tank with decor evenly spaced throughout to provide an enriched home for your fish," Fischer said. "Trying to replicate your fish's tank to what their home in the wild would look like is a great way to provide a comfortable and inviting home for your fish."

When it comes to creating a rich environment for your fish, variety is key.

"Try to find decor of different colors and varying heights to provide areas for your fish to hide and swim around," Fischer said.

We rounded up some of the best fish tank decorations for your aquatic bestie that are made with nontoxic, fish-safe materials.

These pebbles are nontoxic and have an acrylic coating that won't mess with the pH in your fish's water. This aquarium gravel works in both freshwater and saltwater environments. Plus, it's affordable and comes in a bunch of fun colors.

This cave is designed to look realistic and natural, so your BFF will feel right at home with this cave in his space. It's also made with a nontoxic polyresin, so it should be safe for your fish's tank and won't affect the quality of the water. And it's 5 inches long, so there's plenty of room for your fish to hide inside if he wants some alone time. (There's also a smaller size to accommodate smaller tanks.)

If you’re looking for a fish tank decoration with a little more height, this wizard castle should do the trick, since it's 10 inches tall. It has holes and archways for your fish to swim through, if he wants, and it's made out of resin that's safe for freshwater and saltwater tanks.

These artificial seaweed plants are made with nontoxic PVC plastic, so they’re safe for your fish to swim around. They also flow naturally in the water, so they’ll make your fish tank look super realistic. Plus, they come in a few fun colors, like classic green, purple and wine red.

Not only is this pineapple house adorable and wonderfully nostalgic, but it's safe for your fish. It's made out of nontoxic resin. It's also functional, giving your BFF a place to hide if he needs some alone time. This same company also makes a Krusty Krab model and a replica of Squidward's home, in case you want to transform your fish's tank into the spitting image of Bikini Bottom.

Now that you know exactly what you need to give your fish a safe and comfortable home, setting up those fish tank decorations is the next step to living a happy life with your BFF.

Want access to a vet 24/7? With DodoVet, you can connect via video chat, phone or text with an empathetic veterinary expert who can help you be the best pet parent you can be. Say goodbye to Dr. Google and have all your pet parent questions answered anytime, anywhere. Learn more here.