Freshwater Decorations
Caves, pipes, spawning cones, artificial plants, backgrounds, stones and wood for aquascaping.
Advice and care
How to choose aquarium decorations
Good decor looks right, gives fish shelter and leaves the water values alone.
Shelter
Caves and pipes suit fish that spawn in caves or hide during the day.
Stones and hardness
Some stones raise water hardness, so test it if you keep soft-water fish.
Artificial plants
Artificial plants suit tanks where the fish would eat real ones.
Popular brands
All brandsFrequently asked questions
Do decorations need washing before use?
Yes, rinse stones, wood and ceramics in clean water. Do not use soap or cleaning products.
What is an aquarium background for?
A background on the back wall hides cables and gives the tank depth. Most go on the outside of the glass.
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Decorations divide up the aquarium: they create sheltered corners, mark out territories and give shy fish the confidence to swim in open water too. Ceramics, stones, wood, artificial plants and backgrounds each do this differently, so think about which fish live in the tank before you buy.
Territorial fish, such as many cichlids and catfish, need several separate hiding places so that there are fewer fights. Shrimp use pipes and caves to hide while moulting. Natural wood may tint the water brown and float at first; soak it for a few days before placing it.
Set larger items directly on the aquarium floor before adding substrate so that digging fish cannot topple them. Leave free swimming space and access to the filter so maintenance stays easy. Avoid painted items or ones with metal parts that are not made for aquariums.