VerdantAquarium field guide
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A shallow stream aquascape with rounded stones, gravel, and plants flowing in one direction.
Aquascaping styleEcological & natural-growth styles

Ecological & natural-growth styles

River / Stream

Stream aquascapes imply moving water through directional stone placement, gravel channels, and plants that lean or trail with the current. Open substrate and repeated water-worn forms distinguish the style from the heavier cliff shapes of Iwagumi or a diorama.

CurrentRounded stoneGravelDirectional

01

The look

A bright shallow freshwater stream bed of rounded stones and fine gravel, with Vallisneria, Blyxa, moss, and narrow leaves all bending gently in the same current.

02

Common hardscape

The materials that give this style its structure and sense of place.

  • Rounded water-worn stones
  • Fine gravel channels
  • Open substrate beds
  • Repeated directional placement

03

Commonly used plants

Plant choices that suit this style. Follow any linked species into the encyclopedia for full care details.

Christmas mossVesicularia montagneiDwarf hairgrass ‘Mini’Eleocharis pusilla ‘Mini’Cryptocoryne wendtiiCryptocoryne wendtii

Also common: Vallisneria · Blyxa japonica

From the encyclopedia

Plants for this style

All plants