Top 5 Aquascaping Styles to Transform Your Aquarium

Aquascaping isn’t just about putting fish in a tank — it’s about creating a stunning underwater landscape that brings nature into your home. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned hobbyist, choosing the right aquascaping style can completely transform your aquarium. In this guide, we’ll explore the top 5 aquascaping styles, what makes them unique, and how you can bring them to life with the right plants, hardscape, and accessories

1. Dutch Style Aquascaping

The Dutch style is the most garden-like and colorful of all aquascaping styles. Inspired by traditional flower gardens, it emphasizes linear arrangements, terraces, and a mix of vibrant plants.

Key Features:

• Multiple plant types with contrasting leaf colors

• Neatly trimmed groupings and structured rows (called “Dutch streets”)

• Substrate covering most of the aquarium floor

Perfect For: People who love a formal, organized look in their tank.

Suggested Products:

• Eco Water Grass Tank Kits

• Fine-leaved plants (Limnophila aquatica, Hygrophila)

• Red-leaved plants for color highlights (Alternanthera, Rotala)

Tip: Taller plants at the back hide equipment while adding depth, making your Dutch-style aquarium look professionally curated.

2. Nature Style (Japanese Style)

The Nature style, also called Amano style, aims to mimic natural landscapes. Think of mountains, forests, or rivers recreated underwater. Unlike the Dutch style, it’s less formal and more minimalist, focusing on a few plant species and carefully arranged stones or driftwood.

Key Features:

• Asymmetrical arrangement using the golden ratio

• Fewer plant species, often with mosses and carpeting plants

• Driftwood or stones as focal points

Perfect For: Those who want a serene, natural, and balanced tank.

Suggested Products:

• Driftwood packs (for Ryoboku touches)

• Midground plants like Staurogyne repens and Echinodorus tenellus

• Small foreground plants like Glossostigma elatinoides

Tip: Position one main stone or driftwood piece off-center to create a visual focal point.

3. Ryoboku Style

Ryoboku is a driftwood-centric style that gives your aquarium a wild, aged forest look. Often combined with mosses and epiphytes, it’s perfect for creating a natural, serene environment.

Key Features:

• Dominant driftwood as main hardscape

• Mosses and epiphytic plants for texture

• Usually one type of wood to maintain a natural feel

Perfect For: Hobbyists who love organic, wood-focused layouts and want to emulate natural riverbeds.

Suggested Products:

• Manzanita wood or Redmoor roots

• Java moss for driftwood attachment

• Epiphyte plants like Anubias

Tip: Let the driftwood protrude from the water surface to add depth and realism.

4. Iwagumi Style

Iwagumi, meaning “rock formation” in Japanese, focuses on stone arrangements. It’s minimalistic but highly aesthetic, with careful placement of 3–5 stones creating harmony and scale.

Key Features:

• Main stone (Oyaishi) placed slightly off-center

• Two or more smaller stones (Soeishi, Fukuseki) arranged around it

• Foreground carpet plants to highlight stone shapes

Perfect For: Aquascapers who love geometry, minimalism, and Zen-like compositions.

Suggested Products:

• Oyaishi stone packs or Iwagumi stone kits

• Carpet plants like Hemianthus callitrichoides or Eleocharis parvula

• Substrate suited for carpeting plants

Tip: Stick to limited plant species to maintain the focus on the stones and composition.

5. Jungle Style

The Jungle style is the wildest and most natural-looking aquascape. Unlike other styles, plants are allowed to grow freely, creating a dense, overgrown canopy.

Key Features:

• Untrimmed, fast-growing plants

• Limited visible hardscape

• Floating plants and tall backgrounds create light and shadow effects

Perfect For: Aquascapers who love a wild, lush, and low-maintenance setup.

Suggested Products:

• Tall background plants like Vallisneria americana

• Floating plants like Limnobium laevigatum

• Filtration and CO2 kits to maintain healthy growth

Tip: Use bold leaf shapes to create texture, and let the plants grow naturally, giving your tank a true jungle feel.

Final Thoughts

Choosing an aquascaping style is just the start — the right combination of plants, hardscape, and care routines will bring your aquarium to life. Whether you prefer the formal elegance of Dutch style, the minimalism of Iwagumi, or the wild beauty of Jungle style, each approach offers a unique way to showcase your creativity.

Pro Tip: Start with a style that matches your experience level and maintenance comfort, and gradually experiment with more advanced layouts as you grow.