- Goldfish Tank Decoration Safety Tips
- 23 Goldfish Tank Decoration Ideas
- 1. Star Wars Tank
- 2. SpongeBob SquarePants Tank
- 3. Dr Who Tank
- 4. Lord of the Rings Tank
- 5. Jaws Tank
- 6. Minions Tank
- 7. Finding Nemo Tank
- 8. Frozen Tank
- 9. Little Mermaid Tank
- 10. Paw Patrol Tank
- 11. Groot Tank
- 12. Sesame Street Tank
- 13. Bridges
- 14. Sunken Ships
- 15. Sunken Aircraft
- 16. Divers
- 17. Skulls
- 18. Skeletons
- 19. Castles
- 20. Cars & Van Wrecks
- 21. Plant Pots
- 22. Halloween
- 23. Christmas
- Closing Thoughts On Goldfish Tank Decoration Ideas
When it comes to decorating your goldfish tank, you should always do so with the safety of your goldie as the foremost priority.
Take into account the size of your goldfish before choosing decor items, either choose items that are too small for your fish to fit inside or choose something with plenty of space.
Goldfish are inquisitive guys, but let’s be honest, not the most intelligent! The last thing you want is for your fish to become stuck or wedged in the decor.
Goldfish Tank Decoration Safety Tips
If you keep fancy goldfish with protruding eyes (black moor, butterfly tail, celestial eye, etc.), I’d avoid adding decorations as they can very easily damage their delicate eyes, less is more with these little guys.
Check all items for rough and sharp edges and points that could injure your fish or tear their delicate fins. Make sure these get filed flat and smooth.
Check for any loose parts. Goldies are inquisitive and love to peck at everything. Anything loose may be picked off and present a choking hazard.
Beware of cheap imported plastic ornaments that may leach chemicals into your tank water and poison your fish.
Smaller decor items can be glued to larger items, rocks, or driftwood, to stop them being moved around by mischievous goldies!
Wash all decorations (and rinse thoroughly) before adding them to the tank.
Aim to keep at least 75% of the tank space free for swimming.
23 Goldfish Tank Decoration Ideas
I’m a proper geek and love Star Wars, so guess where we’re starting!
1. Star Wars Tank
You could set up your tank to resemble Luke Skywalker’s home planet Tatooine with light-colored sand substrate, the forest moon of Endor with tall growing plants, or even the ice planet Hoth.
Whichever you pick, the CREOMG AT-AT Walker will look great.
2. SpongeBob SquarePants Tank
“Who lives in a pineapple under the sea? SpongeBob SquarePants!!“
My nephews used to drive me nuts with that song. I can hear them singing now as I’m typing this!
The PennPlax 3 Piece SpongeBob Aquarium Bundle, Chum Bucket, and 6 Piece SpongeBob Ornament Set will be a huge hit with your kids.
 |  |  |
4.7 | 4.4 | 4.5 |
$42.00 | $16.99 | |
SpongeBob’s Pineapple House: 4.25 x 4.25 x 7.25 • Squidward’s Easter Island Home: 4 x 4 x 8 • Krusty Krab: 5 x 3 x 4.5 | 1 x 1 x 2 (each ornament approx.) | 2.75 x 2.75 x 4 |
Ensure you buy the officially licensed products listed above as I have seen many horror stories of the fake pineapple house leaching chemicals and harming fish.
3. Dr Who Tank
I never really got into Dr Who, but many people love it. I think the theme tune is awesome though, particularly the 4th & 5th Drs Tom Baker and Peter Davison.
If Dr Who is your thing, you’ll love the SLOCME Tardis.
A must for any Doctor Who fan!
Made from eco-friendly resin that won't leach chemicals into the water and harm your fish.
Easy to clean.
4. Lord of the Rings Tank
Create a little piece of Hobbiton in your aquarium with this detailed Hobbit house.
For Lord of the Rings fans who want a little piece of Hobbiton in your aquarium, this Hobbit house makes a great addition.
Made from fish-safe and durable resin.
Can be attached to an air pump, so bubbles will come out of the chimney, which not only looks great, it aerates the water too.
Easy to clean.
5. Jaws Tank
I was waaaay too young for this movie the first time I watched it…..put me off swimming in the ocean for years after watching the Jaws boat attack.
This officially licensed decoration will turn your tank into Amity Island.
I'm sure you recognize the boat attack scene where Quint meets his demise!
6. Minions Tank
Another great quality officially licensed product, for Minions fans. Includes Kevin, Stuart, and Bob.
This bundle includes Kevin, Stuart, and Bob.
Made from non-toxic poly-resin material that is safe for fish.
Sturdy bases keep them grounded in your tank.
7. Finding Nemo Tank
OK, Nemo is a saltwater fish, but a goldfish doesn’t care what ornaments are in their tank.
All of these products are officially licensed and are safe for your fish.
You are spoilt for choice and can pick your favorite character from, Nemo, Marlin, Dory, Crush, or Squirt.
 |  |  |  |  |  |  |
4.2 | 4.0 | 3.9 | 4.3 | 3.8 | 4.2 | 3.7 |
1.5 x 1.5 x 1.5 | 4 x 4 x 2.75 | 1.75 x 1.75 x 1.5 | 3 x 2.5 x 2.5 | 1.75 x 1.75 x 2 | 2.3 x 1.25 x 1.25 | 1.25 x 1.25 x 1.25 |
$4.38 | $6.99 | $7.99 | $22.31 | $10.69 | $6.99 | |
8. Frozen Tank
“Let it go, let it go…….” I hate that damn song!!!!
Anyway, if you want to channel your inner Disney princess, you go right ahead!
You have plenty of choices, Elsa, Anna, sliding Olaf, and a 4 piece mini set.
Check out the castles further down, all Princesses need a castle to live in!
 |  |  |  |
4.2 | 4.0 | 3.9 | 3.7 |
3 x 4 x 5 | 5 x 3 x 4 | 3 x 4 x 4 | Elsa: 1.75 x 2 x 2.5 • Olaf: 1.4 x 1.4 x 2.25 • Anna: 2 x 2 x 2.5 • Ice Castle: 1.75 x 1 x 2.4 |
$13.88 | $28.99 | ||
9. Little Mermaid Tank
The Little Mermaid 5 Piece Set is another officially licensed product, so you can create your own little piece of Atlantica.
5-piece aquarium decor set.
Includes Ariel, Flounder, Ariel and Eric, Sebastian and Ursula.
Made of durable resin.
Each ornament stands approx 2" high.
10. Paw Patrol Tank
For Paw Patrol fans, the Paw Patrol aquarium ornament bundle contains the characters Chase, Marshall, Rubble, and Skye, so you can create your very own Adventure Bay!
Officially licensed Paw Patrol ornament set brings your kid's favorite characters to your aquarium.
Includes Chase, Rubble, Marshall, and Skye.
Made of safe and durable resin.
11. Groot Tank
“I am Groot” is a super cute tree-like creature that is a great addition for fans of Marvel Comics.
Made of non-toxic fish-safe resin.
Connects to an air pump, which looks great and also provides some aeration and oxygen in your tank.
Includes: 1 Groot bubbler, 10 feet of tubing, 2 suction cups, 1 check valve, 1 T-connector, and 1 air control valve.
12. Sesame Street Tank
Who doesn’t love Sesame Street, kids and adults alike will want these super cute colorful ornaments.
"Can you tell me how to get? How to get to Sesame Street...." Oh, happy childhood memories!
The set includes Big Bird, Cookie Monster, Elmo, and Dorothy.
Dorothy floats freely in the water.
Crafted from durable fish-safe resin.
Now I’ve geeked out a little, I’ll move on to the more traditional types of decorations.
13. Bridges
These have to be one of the most popular options for decor ideas, there’s a style to suit everyone.
If you’re after a little piece of NYC the Brooklyn Bridge is ideal, for a more rustic pirate-style tank the Plank Bridge will look great, and for a more natural look, you can choose either the Arch Bridge or Arch Bridge with tree pavilion.
My Moby would spend all day swimming under his bridge until he got too big for it.
 |  |  |  |
4.5 | 4.5 | 4.3 | 4.4 |
8.6 x 2.7 x 2.9 | 6.2 x 2.4 x 1.9 | 16 x 4 x 8 | 7 x 3 x 2.5 |
$20.99 ($20.99 / Count) | $16.99 | $44.00 | $9.99 |
14. Sunken Ships
Who doesn’t love a sunken ship decoration?! I love anything to do with the Titanic, so that would be my choice.
If a Battleship, Pirate ship, or Submarine is more your style, there are some realistic-looking options to choose from that will make a great centerpiece in any tank.
 |  |  |  |
4.5 | 4.5 | 4.5 | 4.3 |
14 x 2 x 5 | 9.8 x 2 x 3.9 | 11.5 x 3 x 6 | 15 x 2 x 3.5 |
$13.37 | $13.99 | $16.99 | $17.99 |
15. Sunken Aircraft
For military aircraft fans….
Whether you prefer a Helicopter, an Allied WW2 plane, or a Nose-dived fighter plane, any of these 3 will look awesome!
 |  |  |
5.0 | 4.7 | 4.3 |
5.5 x 4.3 x 7.8 | 12.75 x 5 x 7.5 | 9.45 x 4.13 x 3.15 |
$38.49 | $44.99 | $17.99 |
16. Divers
A great feature of some of these diver decorations is that you can connect an air pump to them, which not only looks great but oxygenates the water too.
 |  |  |
4.6 | 4.0 | 4.0 |
5.5 x 5.1 x 5.5 | 2.5 x 3.25 x 4 | 1.97 x 1.18 x 3.94 |
$17.99 | $13.95 | |
17. Skulls
If skull decor is your thing, you’re spoilt for choice, just be sure to file down any sharp points.
Choose from a Crocodile skull, Dinosaur skull, Human skull, Rhinoceros skull, or a Triceratops skull to create the look you’re after.
 |  |  |  |  |
4.6 | 4.5 | 4.5 | 4.5 | 4.5 |
$14.99 | $19.60 | $15.63 | $7.99 | |
5.5 x 5.3 x 4.2 | 9 x 4 x 5.5 | Small: 7 x 4 x 4.7 • Large: 10.2 x 6 x 7.5 | 6.75 x 4 x 4.75 | 3.3 x 2.1 x 1.7 |
18. Skeletons
Who doesn’t want a Rum drinking pirate skeleton in their tank?! Add an air pump to watch him drink all day long!
Alternatively, you can have a skeleton at the wheel, swaying side to side as he steers what’s left of his sunken ship.
 |  |
4.2 | 4.0 |
5.5 x 3.5 x 4.5 | 4.5 x 2.5 x 5.5 |
$17.98 | $9.59 |
19. Castles
A castle is a must-have addition to your aquarium to create that magical feel.
 |  |  |  |  |
4.7 | 4.7 | 4.5 | 4.3 | 4.3 |
12.75 x 6.5 x 14 | 13 x 9 x 15.5 | 9.1 x 3.6 x 9.5 | 5.25 x 3.75 x 8 | 7.9 x 3.3 x 5.7 |
$29.58 | $55.00 | $17.99 ($0.86 / Ounce) | $15.99 | $17.99 |
20. Cars & Van Wrecks
I’m a petrol head so naturally I’m drawn to some of these, It’s a shame there are no Mustang ornaments.
 |  |  |  |  |
4.8 | 4.6 | 4.5 | 4.5 | 4.6 |
Green Car: 4.25 x 1.8 x 1 • Blue Car: 4 x 1.75 x 1.1 • Red Car: 4 x 1.75 x 1.2 | 5.7 x 3.4 x 2.8 | 5.1 x 3 x 3.1 | 7 x 4 x 3.1 | 6.5 x 4.5 x 5.1 |
$28.59 | $19.99 | $14.90 | $14.99 | $14.99 |
21. Plant Pots
The simple terracotta plant pot makes a great decoration item too, if you’re after a more natural look.
Terracotta plant pots make a fantastic decor item in an aquarium.
Make sure you buy plain pots, not ones that have been painted/glazed.
You may need to plug up the drainage hole at the bottom, depending on the size of your fish, the last thing you want to find is your fish stuck in the hole!
Now let’s take a look at some holiday decorations…
22. Halloween
Trick or treat! 🎃
Make your fish tank a spooktacular attraction at your Halloween party.
 |  |
4.7 | 4.2 |
N/A | $13.99 |
4.1 x 3.2 x 3.2 | Pumpkin House: 4.1 x 4.1 x 4.9 • Pumpkins & Ghost: 1 x 1 x 1.6 |
23. Christmas
Get your goldfish in the holiday spirit, by adding some Christmas decor!
 |  |  |  |
4.7 | 4.6 | 4.5 | 4.2 |
$14.99 | $16.69 ($16.69 / Gram) | $14.34 ($14.34 / Count) | $7.79 |
3.15 x 1.65 x 3.86 | Santa: 2.4 x 1.8 x 2.5 • Reindeer: 1.8 x 1 x 2.1 | Christmas tree: 2.7 x 2.7 x 3.5 • Snowman: 1.8 x 1.8 x 2.3 | 2 x 2 x 3 |
Closing Thoughts On Goldfish Tank Decoration Ideas
I hope I’ve given you some inspiration for decorating your Goldfish tank, the choices are practically endless.
Just remember to keep the safety of your goldie in mind when buying decorations:
- Consider if your fish could get stuck/wedged in the decor item
- Make sure the item isn’t so small that it becomes a choking hazard
- File/sand down any sharp points
- Check for any loose parts
- Smaller decor items can be glued to larger items or rocks
- Wash all decorations before adding them to your tank
- Keep at least 75% of the tank space available for swimming
Check out the aquarium health section for guides on keeping your aquarium in tip-top shape.
