Mind-Blowing Aquariums Look Like Underwater Forests, Deserts, and Gardens

There's more to <a href="http://inhabitat.com/macquariums-iconic-candy-colored-apple-imacs-recycled-into-aquariums/" target="_blank">aquariums</a> than changing the water and feeding the fish. These dreamlike <a href="http://inhabitat.com/tag/underwater-cypress-forest/" target="_blank">underwater landscapes</a> were created by experts in aquascaping - and they're true works of art! Arranging aquascapes requires knowledge of marine biology and a knack for design and art. It can take months to complete a single piece, although some of these look like ancient landscapes that have been growing underwater for centuries.

If it weren’t for the tiny fish swimming around, one would think these gorgeous designs are huge real-life underwater landscapes.

The aquascapes mimic small pine forests, zen gardens, canyons and desert <a href="http://inhabitat.com/artist-jesse-bromm-creates-amazing-miniature-landscapes-from-salvaged-materials/" target="_blank">environments</a>.

One of the aquascapes looks like an enchanted forest from Grimms' fairy tales.

Hundreds of aquascaping experts from around the world submit their designs to the annual <a href="http://en.iaplc.com/about/gp_works.html" target="_blank">International Aquatic Plants Layout Contest</a> (IAPLC).

The competition awards the most inventive landscaping projects.

Top slots are usually dominated by Asian and Eastern European countries.

These intertwining roots and threateningly looming branches look like parts of real-life forests.

Check out our gallery for a selection of these fantastic works of art, and head over to the competition's official page for more.

Stjepan Erdeljić's design looks like a desert scattered with cactus plants.