Aquascaping is what building an aquarium is all about: it’s the process of being an interior designer for your saltwater fish tank.  Unlike a freshwater fish tank where you might drop in a fish out of a plastic bag, putting together a saltwater fishtank is something of an art form.  There’s a lot that goes into choosing the correct marine aquarium fish and right scenery. 

One option is to be as colorful as possible: just cram the aquarium with as many fish as possible.  Keep in mind, there can be too much of a good thing.  First, you want to give your marine aquarium fish room to breathe.  You also don’t want to create a cluttered atmosphere.  A marine aquarium should be a reflection of a natural ocean environment. 

The idea is to strike a balance between both form and function.  Aquascaping isn’t just about choosing what fish, coral, rocks, and invertebrates look good in the aquarium—though that is obviously part of it.  You should also choose an environment where the animals and live coral will be most comfortable.  If a fish is accustomed to being in the ocean with a certain type of corral, you might think about getting this variety of corral—even if another variety is more colorful. 

Remember, a happy fish is a healthy fish.  Creating a comfortable environment can go a long way in ensuring a long life for your fish.  Aesthetic considerations should not be the only concern.  If you choose form over function, it could have an affect on how fish relate to each other and, ultimately, how long the fish live. 

If you have your heart set on a certain type of marine aquarium fish this will affect the rest of your aquarium design.  For example, smaller fish who swim in schools will be more comfortable with bushy plants while larger fish will like plants with bigger leaves.  Be careful, though, some fish may take to eating some varieties of plant life.  Generally, plants are a good way to give an aquarium a natural feel and turn the aquarium into a home for marine life. 

These can be combined with rock formations.  At Coral Reef Farm, we have a selection of live rock from all over the world.  Live rock formations are good for creating a natural environment as well as making crevices where invertebrates and smaller fish can explore.