The 2008 International Aquatic Plant Layout Contest

I have a dark secret. I sent a family of guppies to their grave as I poured the contents of my fish tank into the garden. It was not out of spite, or because I didn’t get the espresso straight, no chaser that I clearly ordered; I just got bored of the fish.

Boredom has no place at the International Aquatic Plant Layout Contest, where aquascapers (apparently that’s a legitimate word) come together to compete in the largest planted aquarium aquascaping contest in the world. For most, it’s not about the money, rather the bragging rights and recognition for their pieces of “living art.”

Here are the top 3 winners from the 2008 contest. Click the images to see them bigger.

World Ranking 1 – Cheng Siu Wai, Honk Kong

World Ranking 2 – Yutaka Kanno, Japan

World Ranking 3 – Hsu Yung Lin, Taiwan

And spare a thought for A.J. Judy Prajintno Putra of Indonesia whose fantastic, super-wide aquascape only got 7th spot. I’d feel a bit cheated if I were him/her.

See more aquascapes at Aqua Design Amano.