Aquarium decor is the little figures and toys we add to a home aquarium to amuse the viewer, and which are generally ignored by the fish. On occasion a fish will rest in a fluorescent orange rock formation or shoot through the pseudo-Greek temple ruin, but these things are really for the humans involved.

Aquarium decor has several types of object. There is the stand alone, non-moving item, items that use air from the air pump to do something, pieces that are intended to provide shelter for timid fish, plastic plants, and the back vista provided to block sight of the equipment hiding behind the aquarium.

Let’s take the backdrop first, since it is outside the tank. Frequently this is naturalistic, showing rocks and plants under water to deepen the view. Some backgrounds are photos but are fantasy in the terms of aquariums, like a moonscape, cactus desert or a rain forest. There are various color foil backgrounds that reflect the light back into the aquarium. There are cartoon back drops so you can include your fish in the Spongebob Squarepants ™ or Finding Nemo (Disney tm) action. A collection of these, in time, would be interesting as it would show the changes in taste of the aquarium-owning public.

Stationary decor ranges from silk flowers on plastic tree limbs to that Greek temple ruin you always wanted to own. Tiki masks and Asian gods also make frequent appearances. There is a whole line of Spongebob Squarepants ™ characters made of plastic to go in your aquarium. Broken pots and other litter show up in aquariums, just as they do in the real world. Seahorses and dolphins cavort, in case your fish are less active. The only restriction on the items that can be placed in an aquarium for decor is that it must not deteriorate  when wet. Ceramic pieces are good choices, as are glass. If you decide to put something not specifically made for fish tanks in your aquarium, be sure to scrub it in running water and make sure it doesn’t shed paint or small parts. Obviously, things made out of paper or metal are not really suitable.

There are two types of bubblers. One of these is just a pretty end to be put on the end of the air hose, and from which a steady stream of bubbles rises. These may be any of the stationary decorative pieces or something similar. The other type of bubbler is the toys we put in aquariums that capture air bubbles from the air pump until some tipping point is achieved. Then the capture mechanism releases the air. You have seen the treasure chest or clam shell that opens and closes. My favorite is a space ship that rises from the bottom of the aquarium to the surface and releases the air to sink again.It is really cute.

Plants come is some very nice realistic water plants, as well as fluorescent versions. A collections of all plant varieties in each size is a collection I have contemplated. They are not very big and the realistic ones duplicate real plant species, which is pretty cool. You can buy fake plants that are fantasies of the makers imagination as well.

One thing: if you are collecting these things as collectibles, do not use them in or an an aquarium. You will get water or alga damage. Best to keep your collectibles in the original package and take them out to look at, then return them.

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