Most Stunning Aquarium Photos: Winners of the 2015 International Aquatic Plants Layout Contest

Aquarium is a serious thing for some people. Not like most people who are satisfied with giving their pet goldfish some colorful gravel, a plastic plant, and maybe one of those bubbly treasure chests, the entrants to the International Aquatic Plants Layout Contest (IAPLC) have turned aquarium into a amaizing underwater wonderland. To have a aquarium look like anything close to below, years of preparation and tons of efforts are required. The tank should focus almost entirely on the aesthetic presentation of plants using only natural elements.

The scoring of each aquarium is based on a complex matrix of six criteria: the recreation of natural habitat for fish; the creator’s technical skills; the long-term maintenance of the habitat; the originality and impression of the layout; presentation of natural layout; and the overall composition and planting ‘balance’. Participants face severe penalties for reconfiguring elements from their own past entries, stealing ideas from others, and using plants that may not last long-term in the environment presented.

Here are the top 10 winners from 2015 International Aquatic Plants Layout Contest, which had 2,545 entries from 69 countries. Japan, China, Brazil, and France dominate the top finalist spots. Take a look at those amazing underwater land. Personally, I like #8 mostly, it fools my eyes and make me think I am not looking at a aquarium but some mountain area with birds in the sky.

All photos belongs to IAPLC & AquaA3.

#1 (Grand Prize) Takayuki Fukada, Japan