Japanese themed fish tanks are starting to take over the pet fish world. Creating a Zen and all-natural aesthetic, it is no wonder so many people are interested in Japanese themed fish tank decorations.
How to make the best Japanese themed fish tank?
The key to making a Japanese themed fish tank is to have live plants (preferably moss), Japanese aquarium decorations, and the right fish species.
Best plants for a Japanese themed aquarium
I definitely recommend that you grow live plants along the bottom of your fish tank. This should be quite easy if you add a layer of soil on top of your substrate. A great grass to add to your Japanese fish tank is dwarf hairgrass. This grass grows in thick bunches and will easily cover the ground, giving it a nice green and natural look.
Another must for a Japanese themed aquarium is java moss. The best way to incorporate java mass is to put it on a Bonsai Driftwood to give the appearance of an underwater tree, as picture below.
You can buy Bonsai Driftwood on amazon. Then all you need to do is put java moss on the branches. In no time, the moss will take over the branches and give the driftwood the appearance of an underground tree.
If you don’t want Bonsai Driftwood, you can also just put large stones in your fish tank and put moss on top of them.
Best Japanese fish tank decorations
My three favorite Japanese fish tank decorations are the Japanese castle, gazebo, and Torii gate. All three will give your tank the perfect touch of Japan.
All of these Japanese fish tank Japanese themed fish tank ornaments are under $25.
Japanese Castle
This castle is a must if you want to have a Japanese fish tank. The base of the decoration has rocks and fake plants that will compliment the live plants in your aquarium. It is made our of resin which is perfectly safe for your tank and will not fade. It can be put in both freshwater and saltwater aquariums.
This Japanese fish tank decor stands almost 7 inches tall, and there is enough room between levels for small fish to swim through.
Gazebo
A gazebo is also a main staple of many Japanese themed aquariums. Gazebos are commonplace across most Japanese gardens, so this is a great addition if you plan on having live plants. This ornament also comes with some fake plants attached to help add to the garden aesthetic.
It is available on Petco for around $20.
This Japanese fish tank decoration is the tallest on the list at 7.5 inches. It also has big ovals that allow fish to swim through. This decoration would also go well in an anime themed fish tank.
Torri Gate
A Torri gate is a popular structure found in front of many Shinto shrines in Japan. This spiritual structure is said to symbolize the passage between the mundane to the sacred shrine.
This ornament stands at over 7 inches tall and adds a nice red color to your aquarium.
Best fish for a Japanese themed fish tank
The best fish for a Japanese aquarium is the koi fish. This popular fish species was first bred in Japan. If you can’t get koi, I recommend gold fish or tetra fish.
Koi Fish
Koi fish were first bred in Japan in the 19th century. They are decedents of carp fish, which come from China. Koi fish usually have a bright orange texture, and can grow up to 36 inches. If you have an aquarium smaller than 55 gallons, you should probably look at other options.
Goldfish are another great option. They also have the same orange color as Koi fish, which will go well with the greenery in the tank. Although goldfish originate from China, they are very popular in Japanese gardens. If you don’t want goldfish, you should look into tetra fish. They come in a wide range of bright colors which will fit well with the green plants in your tank.
