The Best (Unique) Aquarium Decorations

If you are looking to add life to your aquarium to create a theme or add liveliness, then you might be wondering what unique aquarium decorations can help you achieve that. There are plenty of different aquarium decorations to choose from if you want to make your aquarium stand out and look unique.

It is important to look for unique aquarium decorations that not only look good in your aquarium but are also safe to be used in your aquarium’s water without negatively affecting the water chemistry. Aquarists should look for unique aquarium decorations that are not harmful to your aquarium’s water and its inhabitants, while still enjoying the visual purpose of your uniquely chosen aquarium decorations.

Regardless of your preferences, there are many different unique aquarium decorations that you can purchase to improve the aesthetics of your aquarium and in this article, we will review some of the most popular yet unique aquarium decorations on the market.

A-Z-Animals’ Top Picks for the Best (Unique) Aquarium Ornaments

#1 Best Overall: Penn-Plax Nickelodeon SpongeBob Aquarium Ornament

The #1 Best Overall unique aquarium decoration is the Penn-Plax SpongeBob Aquarium Ornament. This decoration is affordable and is a vibrant orange color that is in the shape of SpongeBob’s pineapple house. It can safely be used in both freshwater and saltwater aquariums and the solid base allows it to sink and be fully submerged in water. It can serve as a good addition to many fish tanks if you want to add color to it and make your aquarium stand out.

This decoration is made of harmless resin that does not leach any chemicals into the water, however, the color can fade over time. It can also be used as a hideout for small to medium-sized fish because it has many different-sized openings that allow your fish to comfortably swim in and out of. There are three different size options for this hideout, so it can be used in small to large-sized aquariums.

A few reviewers said that this ornament was broken when it arrived.

Pros and Cons of the Penn-Plax Nickelodeon SpongeBob Aquarium Ornament

Best Overall

SpongeBob Pineapple Home Aquarium Ornament

• Affordable pricepoint
• Vibrant color looks great underwater
• Replica of the pineapple house of the beloved SpongeBob SquarePants
• Approved for use in both freshwater and saltwater tanks
• Made of fish-safe resin that won't fade
• Multiple openings make it fun for fish to explore
• 6.5 inches tall

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2.  Best for Small Aquariums: Uniclife Aquarium Imitative Rainbow Sea Urchin Ornament

Brightly colored and affordable, Uniclife Aquarium Imitative Rainbow Sea Urchin Ornament can be the perfect addition to both marine and freshwater aquariums. It has a luminescent glow under aquarium lighting which can add vibrant colors to your aquarium. It has been designed with a strong resin base that allows this decoration to sink and stay stable in the water, while the soft silicone tendrils of this decoration sway in the movement of your aquarium’s water.

The tendrils have a rainbow coloration which helps to add color to your aquarium and this relatively small decoration can be placed in small to large aquariums. The coloration does not fade easily over time and there is no risk of harmful chemicals leaching into your aquarium’s water from this decoration.

One reviewer was disappointed because they thought that it was supposed to glow in the dark. (It’s not.)

Pros and Cons of Uniclife Aquarium Imitative Rainbow Sea Urchin Ornament

Best for Small Aquariums

Uniclife Aquarium Imitative Rainbow Sea Urchin Ornament

•  Fake sea urchin keeps with the aquarium theme
• Glow effect brings vibrant color to the tank
• Affordable pricepoint
• Great for both saltwater and freshwater tanks
• Designed with a durable resin base to keep it stable
• Great as a stand-alone in small tanks or an addition to larger tanks

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3.  Best Value: Fish Tank Simulation Coral Plant Decorations

This is a two-pack of Fish Tank Simulation Coral Plant Decorations that look distinctive under aquarium lighting. These two unique aquarium decorations can enhance your aquarium’s visual appearance and make it more colorful. The artificial mushrooms are made of soft, realistic silicone that can also act as a shelter for your aquarium inhabitants and the silicone is eco-friendly and does not leach harmful chemicals into the aquarium’s water.

You do not have to worry about the color fading because these decorations can last for a long time in both marine and freshwater aquariums. These decorations do not glow without first being illuminated by aquarium lighting, however bright natural lighting will work as well.

Several reviewers expressed disappointment that these decorations don’t glow in the dark even though the manufacturer’s listing clearly states, “Not Glow In the Dark!”

Pros and Cons of Fish Tank Simulation Coral Plant Decorations

Best Value

Glowing Silicone Fish Tank Accessories

• Comes in two-pack
• Glowing coral looks vibrant in aquariums
• Artificial mushrooms are made of lifelike silicone material
• Eco-friendly materials and free of harsh chemicals to keep fish healthy
• Lasting color doesn't fade
• Works in both saltwater and freshwater tanks

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4.  Best for Quality: Balacoo Resin Greek Goddess Statue

Balacoo Resin Greek Goddess Statue can be used in both fresh and saltwater aquarium environments without the product quality being affected. This high-quality decoration of a Greek goddess in the form of a pillar is made of high-quality materials and it is heavy enough to stand elegantly in the water for a long time without the colors fading quickly.

The main material used to construct this decoration is resin and paint. If you are looking for a unique aquarium decoration that does not take up a lot of horizontal space without being too colorful, then this is a good decoration to consider. The only downside to this decoration is that it should be placed away from strong filter outlets otherwise the force of the water can knock this decoration down.

One reviewer said that this ornament grew algae, which they rinsed off and it grew back. Another reported that the water turned murky when they added this ornament to their tank.

Pros and Cons of the Balacoo Resin Greek Goddess Statue

Best for Quality

Balacoo Greek Goddess Statue Aquarium Accessory

• Ideal for both freshwater and saltwater aquariums
• Comprised of durable, high-quality resin
• Lasting colors won't fade
• Vertical design is a space saver
• Unique addition to any tank

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Choosing the Best: What to Look For

When choosing the best unique decoration for your aquarium there are three important factors you need to consider before making a purchase, the design, quality, and safety. Here is how to consider the best leash across each of these factors:

Design

The design of the unique aquarium decoration you choose will depend on the theme you want to achieve in your aquarium. Some aquarists might prefer a colorful theme which means that you should be considering the colorful decorations that will stand out with bright colors to enhance the overall view of your aquariums. Most brightly colored decorations will glow under aquarium lighting which can make these decorations stand out as a centerpiece. Some designs are duller in color and look simple which can be perfect if you want a unique design that does not add an unrealistic look of color to your aquarium, especially if you want to keep the theme of your aquarium naturalistic and neutral in color.

Quality

The quality of the unique aquarium decoration you choose is important because this will give you a good indication as to whether this decoration is worth your valuable money and whether the materials are going to withstand being in your aquarium for a long time. It is better to choose an aquarium decoration that is made from resin or silicone that is aquarium-grade, which makes it more durable in aquariums and it will not lose color or have pieces of the paint chips from the decoration.

Safety

You want to avoid choosing an aquarium decoration that is made of the wrong materials that could even be potentially harmful to your aquarium’s water and inhabitants if it starts to leach chemicals into the water either from the paint or the materials themselves. Some decorations that are brightly colored may leach toxic chemicals into the water through the paint, so you should dip it in aquarium-safe epoxy coating to help prevent this.

The Different Types of Unique Aquarium Decoration: Pros and Cons Compared

• Colorful Decorations: These are brightly colored decorations that either have colorful paint on them, or glow under aquarium lighting.
• Resin Decorations: These are heavy decorations that can sink easily and are made with solid material and are usually painted.
• Silicone Decorations: This is a soft decoration that can sway in the aquarium’s water current and does not have any sharp edges that can hurt fish. The softness of the silicone is typically a preferred hiding place for fish to swim against and take shelter.
• Floating Decorations: This type of decoration will usually be lightweight and have a discrete fishing line attached to a bouency ball that allows this decoration to float in the water. In some cases, there is a silicone suction cup where the decoration can be secured in an aquarium and left to float.

Let’s look at the pros and cons of each type of unique aquarium decoration:

Colorful Decorations

Resin Decorations

Silicone Decorations

Floating Decorations

Verified Reviews: Users’ Experience

Looking at the reviews of the specific unique aquarium decoration can help you determine how pleased customers were with their purchase and how well this product works underwater.

We have looked at the reviews for the Penn-Plax SpongeBob House decoration, and this popular and unique decoration had a lot of positive reviews. Many reviewers have said that this is a good product for the price, and it looks great if you want to make a unique theme in your aquarium, especially if it is paired with other SpongeBob aquarium decorations. The only downside to this product is that it needs to be coated in aquarium epoxy so that the color does not leach into the water.

The reviews for the silicone-based aquarium decorations were also mainly positive and many reviewers enjoy the naturalistic vibe these types of decorations add to your aquarium and that the colors are enhanced when exposed to LED lighting which helps to make your aquarium look more vibrant and unique.