Mopani, Ramous or Spiderwood: Choosing Aquarium Driftwood

By Pro Shrimp | Published: 2026-10-31

Category: Buying Guides

Compare Mopani, Ramous and Spiderwood by branch shape, size and tannin behavior, then pick the right piece for your aquascape and soaking routine.

Quick answer

Choose Mopani Wood for a compact nano tank where you want a dense, attachable surface, Ramous Wood for a fine, coral-like centerpiece in a small aquarium, and Superfish Spiderwood Branches when you need thin branches to tie moss or fern onto. All three are natural driftwood and can release tannins, so plan a soaking step before they go in.

Branch shape decides what you can plant on the wood

The biggest practical difference between these three is not the wood species label but the shape of the piece you receive. Ramous Wood has delicate, fine branches that read like a coral fan, which makes it a display piece first and a planting surface second. Mopani Wood in the nano 9-18cm size gives you a denser, more block-like piece that holds moss, Java fern and Anubias well. Superfish Spiderwood Branches are thin, 15-25cm lengths intended to be tied or glued with plants.

If your main goal is to attach plants, thin spiderwood branches and Mopani offer more grip points than the fine tips of Ramous Wood. If your main goal is a dramatic silhouette with open space around it, Ramous Wood does that job with less planting work.

Size and individuality change how you buy

Every piece of natural wood varies from the photos, and the catalog states this for all three products. That means you are buying a size range, not an exact shape. Ramous Wood is listed at 20-45cm, Mopani Nano at 9-18cm, and Spiderwood Branches at around 15-25cm. Check those ranges against your tank footprint before ordering, and accept that the piece you receive may be more upright or more horizontal than you pictured.

For a nano tank, the Mopani 9-18cm range is the safest fit because it will not overwhelm a small footprint. Ramous Wood at up to 45cm needs a tank wide enough to leave swimming space around it. Spiderwood Branches are short enough to complement a larger piece or stand alone in a mid-size tank.

Tannins are a routine, not a defect

Natural driftwood can leach tannins into your water, and the Mopani listing explicitly notes this. Tannins tint the water brown and are harmless to most setups, but they are a visual problem if you want crystal-clear water for a show tank. The catalog suggests soaking the wood in a bucket for a time if you want to reduce this. Soaking is a partial fix, not a guarantee, and some pieces will continue to release color for a while after they go in.

Plan your purchase around that soak. Buying wood the day you plan to scape usually leads to a rushed job. Give yourself a few days with a bucket and a water change schedule, and accept that a slight tint may remain.

Decision rules for choosing aquarium driftwood

If your tank is under 30cm wide: Choose Mopani Wood Nano 9-18cm. It fits a small footprint without crowding the swimming space, and its denser surface accepts moss and Anubias. Measure the footprint before ordering, not just the height.
If you want a sculptural centerpiece: Choose Ramous Wood 20-45cm when you have the width to leave open water around it. Its fine branches create a coral-fan silhouette that reads as a feature piece. Reserve at least the piece length plus a margin of open space.
If you plan to attach moss or ferns: Choose Superfish Spiderwood Branches 100g for tying or gluing plants, or Mopani for a denser base. Use cotton thread, fishing line or plant glue as the catalog suggests. Buy the attachment method at the same time so you can scape in one session.
If clear water matters most: Soak any of these pieces in a bucket before adding them, and expect some tannin release to continue. The Mopani listing specifically recommends soaking to reduce tannins. Schedule the soak before your scaping day, not after.

Product facts

Ramous Wood 20-45cm: Ramous Wood is supplied in a 20-45cm size range and has delicate, fine branches that resemble deep-sea coral fans. This makes it a strong centerpiece for a small aquarium where you want an open, sculptural shape rather than a dense planting block.
Ramous Wood 20-45cm
Superfish Spiderwood Branches 100g: Superfish Spiderwood Branches are natural redmoor/spiderwood pieces around 15-25cm long, sold in a 100g bundle. The thin branches are easy to tie or glue moss, Java fern and Anubias onto, and they can supplement a larger piece of spiderwood.
Superfish Spiderwood Branches 100g
Mopani Wood: Mopani Wood Nano is a 9-18cm natural mopani piece, and the listing notes that natural driftwood will leach tannins. Its small size suits nano tanks, but you should plan a bucket soak if you want to limit the brown tint in the water.

Who this guide is for

Best for

Aquascapers choosing between a nano piece, a fine-branched centerpiece and thin plantable branches
Buyers who want a realistic plan for soaking and tannins before the wood goes in the tank

Not for

Buyers who need an exact, photo-matched piece of wood rather than a size range
Anyone who wants guaranteed zero tannins from the first day