Everyone has an aquarium lover in their life and finding the perfect gift for that person can be a challenge. The types of potential gifts range from silly to practical, which can make it difficult to even find a starting point. It makes it even more complicated if you don’t know much about that person’s aquarium, or even about aquariums in general. Checking out reviews covering the best gifts for aquarium lovers is probably the best starting point you could ask for, especially if you’re at a total loss for finding a gift for your pal.
Keep reading for the top 10 gifts for aquarium enthusiasts.
A Quick Look at Our Favorite Picks in 2023
Rating
Image
Product
Details
Best Overall
“My Fish Need Me” T-Shirt
Separate men’s and women’s fits
Available in children’s and adult’s sizes
Appropriate for enthusiasts of any type of aquarium
The best overall gift for the aquarium enthusiast in your life is this funny t-shirt that states, “Sorry, I can’t, my fish need me”. It’s the perfect gift for the dedicated aquarium enthusiast and introverts who appreciate an excuse to get out of a social situation. It’s available in sizes from youth to adult, and the adult sizes are available in men’s and women’s fits. It comes in 10 colors with solid colors being 100% cotton and heathered colors being a cotton/polyester blend. It’s machine washable and can be dried in the dryer, making it an easy-care item. This shirt is not available in sizes for babies, and it is not listed as a USA-made item.
Pros
Funny
Appropriate for enthusiasts of any type of aquarium
The best gift for aquarium enthusiasts for the money is this handy aquarium logbook. This book can be used for any type of aquarium, and it’s appropriate for all ages. Each page has places to document important aquarium details like temperature, salinity, pH, nitrate, nitrite, and ammonia. It also has areas to document water changes, light schedules, dosing parameters, and more. It has a high-quality matte cover and acid-free paper, so it should last a long time. This logbook, although appropriate for children, isn’t colorful or fun, so it may not be the best option for teaching children about aquarium care.
Pros
Best value
Appropriate for enthusiasts of any type of aquarium
Appropriate for children to adults
Allows for documentation of important water parameters
Allows for documentation of water change schedules and more
If you’re looking for a slightly more expensive gift for a freshwater tank enthusiast, then the Axolotl Lightweight Microfiber Blanket may be just the thing. This cute blanket features cheerful axolotls and colorful leaves and seaweed on a dark blue background. It’s available in five sizes, including a size made specifically for pets. It’s made from 100% ultra-soft micro fleece, making it soft, silky, and warm, without being too heavy. It has invisible seams and can be machine washed on gentle and dried in the dryer. Although appropriate for all ages, the playful design may be more appropriate for children than adults.
The Foot Traffic Men’s Aquarium Socks are a cute option for teens and adults alike. These socks have a light blue background with colorful saltwater fish swimming across it. They are made from a blend of multiple fabrics for maximum comfort. They fit shoe sizes men’s US 7–12 and are a dress sock design. This product supports Foot Traffic, which is a small business. The socks are made in Taiwan, so they are not a US-made product. They are not available in children’s or women’s sizes, and there is only one size available for men, so it is a limited size range.
If you’re looking for the perfect gift for the Betta enthusiast in your life, they won’t be disappointed by the Betta Fish Throw Pillow. This throw pillow is available in 16” by 16” and 18” by 18”. It features 12 Betta fish varieties by tail shape, including veiltail, crowntail, rosetail, halfmoon, and super delta. The Bettas are detailed white silhouettes on a black background. Both sides of the pillow feature the same set of images. The pillow doesn’t have a zipper and it is spot or dry clean only, so it may be difficult to keep clean. This isn’t the best option for someone who appreciates the bright colors of Betta fish, but it does show off their beautiful tail shapes nicely.
The Electric Jellyfish Nightlight is appropriate for all ages, but it makes an especially great gift for children. This tabletop nightlight features two floating jellyfish in a color changing tube. It’s 4.5 inches wide and 12.5 inches tall and is available in black and silver base options. It rotates through several colors and can be set to a single color as well. While this is a great gift for a child, it has an automatic shut-off after 4 hours, so it’s not ideal for children who use a nightlight all night. It requires you to put water in it for the jellyfish to float in, so it may be prone to growing algae or mold on the inside without routine cleaning.
The Watercolor Koi Fish Painting Vinyl Sticker features intricately designed Koi fish in bright color options. It’s available in blue and orange in a yin and yang type design, and the blue and orange Koi fish can be purchased separately. It’s also available in 4-inch, 8-inch, and 12-inch widths. These high-quality vinyl decals can be placed on just about any flat surface, from walls to laptops to vehicles. The seller often includes a bonus sticker with orders as well. Although appropriate for all ages, the delicate design of the Koi fish may be more appreciated by teens and adults over children.
The “My Goldfish is Calling” T-shirt is a comical option for the goldfish lover in your life. This shirt features a bright, high-quality image and is available in youth and adult sizes, with fits specific to men and women. It’s available in 10 shirt colors and is machine washable. These shirts are made from 100% cotton or a cotton/polyester blend. This funny gift isn’t for a serious type of fish keeper, and it is a goldfish-specific gift, which limits the number of people who may appreciate it. It’s not available in baby sizes and it is not listed as a USA-made product.
Pros
Funny
Available in children’s and adult’s sizes
Separate men’s and women’s fits
Available in 10 sizes
Easy to care for
Cons
Freshwater specific
Goldfish specific
Not available in baby sizes
Not listed as USA-made
9. Old World Christmas Goldfish Glass Tree Ornament
If you’re looking for the perfect holiday gift for a goldfish enthusiast, the Old World Christmas Goldfish Glass Tree Ornament is a great option. This glass ornament features a shimmery gold-colored goldfish with a white chin. It measures 3.25 inches in length and is made of blown glass that is hand painted. It’s a beautiful gift idea, but it is a holiday-specific gift, which does limit its use as a gift. It’s also a gift that is likely to be appreciated most by goldfish lovers. The delicate nature of this ornament means it isn’t a good gift for young children. The realistic design makes it a gift that is more likely to be enjoyed by adults anyway.
For the aquarium enthusiast in your life who needs a new coffee table book, Oceanology: The Secrets of the Sea Revealed is a beautiful option. This book features information about everything from plankton to whales. It’s published in association with the Smithsonian Institution and covers all parts of the oceans. It has beautiful, colorful illustrations and is written on a 4th to 7th grade reading level, making it a good pick for kids interested in the ocean. This book is specific to ocean information, though, so every aquarium enthusiast may not appreciate this gift. It also may be too high level for young children to appreciate.
Pros
Beautiful as a coffee table book
Includes colorful illustrations and tons of information
Appropriate for older children to adults
Cons
Ocean specific book
May be too high level for younger children
Premium price
Doesn’t cover aquarium information at all
Buyer’s Guide: Selecting The Best Gift for Aquarium Enthusiasts
Why Does the Type of Aquarium My Friend Has Matter?
When it comes to choosing a perfect, aquarium-themed gift for a friend or family member, you want to try to focus on the type of aquarium they have or are interested in. If you’re not an aquarium enthusiast yourself, then it might not make a ton of sense to you. After all, all things aquaria are interesting, right?
Well, yes. However, many aquarium enthusiasts put tons of time and money into their aquarium. It’s a source of joy and brings a sense of pride and accomplishment. Choosing a gift that celebrates the type of aquarium your friend has, no matter how small or mundane it may seem to you, shows them that you’re paying attention to their interests and efforts. It also reflects your appreciation of their hard work back to them, which can make a gift that much more meaningful to someone who has spent hundreds or thousands of hours and dollars on their own aquatic world.
By the way, if you’re not sure what type of aquarium your friend keeps, all you have to do is ask! Most people who keep aquariums, whether professionally or as a hobby, are happy to talk about their tanks.
Conclusion
Choosing the perfect gift for your aquarium enthusiast friend can be a challenge, especially if you don’t share the interest with them. These reviews cover a wide range of items for people of all ages, but there are tons of possible gifts out there. If you need a gift for a witty friend, then the best pick is the “My Fish Need Me” T-Shirt. If you’re on a tight budget, check out the Aquarium Logbook, and if your friend is especially fond of axolotls and other freshwater tanks, then they might love the Axolotl Lightweight Microfiber Blanket.
