FAQ: Tank Decor for fish

Suckermouth catfish like narrow tube-shaped caves of ceramic, slate or wood where they can press their back and belly against the walls. Bristlenose males guard eggs in such caves, so the opening should match the fish’s size.

Spawning caves are ceramic or clay caves and cones where bristlenose plecos, some cichlids such as apistogramma or kribensis, and other cave spawners lay eggs. They are needed if you plan to breed those fish.

Yes, a cleaned and boiled coconut shell with an opening cut into it is a popular natural hide for small fish, shrimp and catfish. Remove all the flesh and fibre before adding it, and sand down sharp cut edges.

Shrimp like small caves, ceramic tubes, moss-covered wood, lava rock and dried leaves on which biofilm grows. Avoid decorations containing metal or copper, as shrimp are especially sensitive to them.

Bettas do well with smooth decorations without sharp edges, broad-leaved plants or betta hammocks to rest on near the surface, and small caves. Openings must be wide enough that long fins do not catch, and flow should stay gentle.

A betta hammock is an artificial leaf fixed to the glass with a suction cup near the surface, which the fish rests on. It is not essential, but many bettas like to lie near the surface, so such a leaf or a broad-leaved plant is comfortable for them.

Goldfish need lots of open swimming space, so keep decorations few, smooth and round-edged. Fancy goldfish such as fantails and bubble-eyes do not suit sharp rocks or narrow openings, and the substrate should be either coarse or very fine so it is not swallowed.

Malawi and Tanganyika cichlids need lots of rocks with crevices and caves that let them divide territories. Set the rocks on the bottom glass, as cichlids dig, and limy rocks or coral sand help keep the hard water they need.

Shell-dwelling cichlids such as Neolamprologus need empty, boiled snail shells, most often from edible Roman snails. Give each fish at least one or a few shells and spread them out on the sand.

Discus like tall vertical roots, broad-leaved plants and calm areas resembling Amazon rivers. They are sensitive to water quality, so decorations should be easy to clean, and the substrate thin or sandy so it does not trap dirt.

Angelfish are tall fish, so they need a tall tank with vertical roots, long plants such as vallisneria and flat surfaces to lay eggs on. Leave open swimming space in the middle.

Puffers are curious and like to explore, so they suit lots of caves, roots and plants that break up lines of sight and reduce aggression. Some species need a sand bottom to bury in, so check the needs of your particular species.

A fry tank should have few, easy-to-clean decorations, such as a clump of moss or a few plants for cover. A bare bottom or a thin layer of sand is often used so leftover food is easy to remove.

Water turtles need a sturdy basking island or floating platform, large heavy rocks they cannot overturn, and coarse substrate or a bare bottom. Fine gravel is dangerous, because turtles can swallow it.

Axolotls suit smooth decorations, caves and very fine sand or a bare bottom, because they can swallow gravel. Avoid sharp edges and strong flow, and keep their water cool.

Decor in a nano tank should be small-scale: small stones, thin twigs and little hides, so the tank looks bigger. One large ornament in a small tank takes up much of the water volume and swimming room.

Corydoras need fine sand or rounded fine gravel to sift through and shaded spots under roots or broad-leaved plants. Sharp substrate and rough rocks can damage their sensitive barbels.

Loaches such as kuhli or botia loaches like sand to burrow in, narrow crevices, tubes and caves among rocks and roots. Make sure the decor has no openings so narrow that a fish could get stuck.

Livebearers suit dense plants or moss where young can hide, plus open swimming space. Mollies and platies like harder water, so a few limy rocks also suit them.

Schooling fish such as tetras or rasboras need open swimming space in the middle and denser areas of plants and roots at the sides. A dark substrate and tannins from wood bring out their colours.