Mangrove Root Aquarium & Terrarium Decor, 3D Printed Slanted Branch for Crested Gecko, Dart Frog, Betta, Shrimp Tank Hardscape

A single mangrove root leans up out of the substrate and reaches toward the light, splitting into branches as it climbs. In a terrarium it becomes a natural ramp from the ground floor to the upper levels, with perches for climbers and shaded gaps to tuck into. In an aquarium it reads like weathered root wood from a tidal forest, ready for moss, stones, and plants to settle in around it.

📖 Full Product Description
This 3D printed mangrove root is a freestanding hardscape piece for aquariums, terrariums, vivariums, and paludariums, designed by novYTerra. Instead of standing straight up, the root rises on a slant from a compact, square footprint, so it looks like it is growing out of the ground at an angle. Along the way it branches into multiple arms, layers, and openings, all finished with a naturally textured root surface inspired by the tangled roots of mangrove and jungle forests.
That slanted shape is what makes it useful in a layout. It visually connects the substrate to the higher parts of a scape, so you can angle it toward a backwall, a ledge, or a planted corner to tie different levels together, or set it in the open as a focal point. Depending on your animals and setup, the branches and levels can serve as a climbing structure, an elevated resting or basking perch, a partial hide, or simply a decorative hardscape element. In an aquascape, pair it with stones, moss, and plants for a natural jungle, forest, or mangrove-style look, with open branches and gaps for fish and shrimp to explore around.
Choose the version that matches your habitat. The PETG Wet Model is for aquariums and misted, high-humidity, or bioactive enclosures, and suits keepers of dart frogs, tree frogs, and crested geckos, along with invertebrates such as jumping spiders and tropical isopods. The PLA Dry Model is for arid terrariums and dry display, and suits dry-setup invertebrates such as many tarantulas and desert scorpions. In the aquarium, it fits nano and planted tanks with bettas and freshwater shrimp. Naming a species here is for reference only, so always compare the openings, gaps, and overall size against the adult size and behavior of your specific animals.
You receive one Slanted Mangrove Root in the size and model you select, printed as a single piece in a solid, unpainted filament color. Every size ships ready to place, with no assembly required.

✔️ Key Features
✔ Original slanted mangrove root design by novYTerra, printed and sold by CurioPrinta under commercial license
✔ Rises at an angle from a compact square footprint to link the substrate with upper levels of a layout
✔ Multiple branches, layers, and openings for climbing, perching, and partial cover
✔ Naturally textured root surface with a weathered, organic look
✔ Works as a stand-alone centerpiece or combined with stones, moss, and plants
✔ PETG Wet Model for aquariums and high-humidity, misted, bioactive, or high-UV setups, always shipped unpainted
✔ PLA Dry Model for arid terrariums, dioramas, tabletop terrain, and dry display
✔ Four sizes, and every size ships as a single piece with no assembly
✔ Made to order

🧱 Material Options
The Slanted Mangrove Root is offered in two versions across all sizes:
💧 PETG Wet Model
Choose this version for submerged aquarium use, paludariums, and high-humidity, misted, or bioactive terrariums, as well as enclosures under high-output UV lighting. It is printed in PETG and supplied completely unpainted. CurioPrinta uses PETG for these setups rather than standard PLA because PETG is better suited to prolonged exposure to water, humidity, and UV. That is a material choice, not a guarantee: continuous high-output UV can still gradually embrittle PETG over time, and PETG is not permanently waterproof, indestructible, chemically inert, or universally suitable for every animal or water condition.

🌵 PLA Dry Model
Choose this version for arid terrariums, dioramas, tabletop gaming terrain, shelf display, and general home decor. PLA versions are not recommended for submerged aquarium use. They are also not recommended for constantly wet or heavily misted enclosures, or for setups with strong UV lighting. Pick PLA only when the root will stay dry and out of intense UV.

🔧 Setup, Use & Care
Aquarium use (PETG Wet Model only)
💧 Rinse the root thoroughly with clean water before placing it in an aquarium.
🚫 Avoid soaps, detergents, household cleaners, and unapproved chemical treatments.
🔍 Inspect it before use and confirm the openings and gaps are appropriately sized for the animals in the tank.
⚓ Position it securely so it cannot shift, tip, trap an animal, or press against the glass. Because of its slanted shape, check its balance once it is set in the substrate.
🔁 Check it periodically during normal maintenance, and remove it if it becomes damaged, develops sharp areas, or no longer sits securely.
🐟 Introduce any new decoration thoughtfully and observe your animals after installation.
Terrarium, vivarium & paludarium use
🌡️ Match the model to your humidity: PETG Wet Model for misted, bioactive, or high-UV setups, PLA Dry Model for dry setups only. Verify the material and design suit your habitat’s temperature, lighting, and species.
🔥 If you use a branch as a basking perch, keep the root out of direct contact with heat lamps, heating elements, and other intense heat sources.
⚓ Seat the base firmly so the slanted root cannot tip or roll, especially with heavier climbers.
🦎 Check openings and gaps between branches against your animal’s adult size.
🧹 Inspect regularly for wear, damage, trapped waste, or areas that are hard to clean.
📘 Let qualified, species-specific husbandry guidance take priority over general product suggestions.
Cleaning
💧 PETG Wet Model: rinse with clean water and use a soft brush when needed. Avoid soaps, bleach, solvents, abrasive cleaners, boiling water, dishwashers, and high-temperature cleaning. Let it dry completely before long-term storage.
🌵 PLA Dry Model: dust with a soft brush or cloth, use a lightly damp cloth when appropriate, and keep it away from intense heat.

📐 Dimensions
Approximate dimensions (Length × Width × Height):
Small (S1) 5.4" × 5.4" × 4.7" (137 × 137 × 120 mm)
Medium (S2) 6.1" × 6.1" × 5.4" (154 × 154 × 136 mm)
Large (S3) 7.3" × 7.3" × 6.5" (186 × 186 × 164 mm)
XL 8.1" × 8.1" × 7.1" (205 × 205 × 180 mm)

Because each item is individually 3D printed, minor dimensional variation may occur.
🎨 Color and Appearance
Every root is printed in a solid-color filament and is not painted, including all aquarium (PETG Wet Model) versions. Natural-looking tones come from choosing a filament color that suits your scape, not from applied paint. Some listing photos may show the root painted; those are finishing examples only.
Colors may look slightly different in person because of lighting, photography, monitor settings, and filament batches, and the root’s appearance can shift when submerged or viewed under aquarium lighting. An exact color match is not promised.

🖨️ About 3D Printing
This item is created using FDM 3D printing technology. Fine layer lines, small seams, slight texture changes, and minor variations are normal characteristics of the process. These details are not considered defects and make each piece slightly unique. Support-contact marks may appear on the underside of branches or in recessed areas, and minor cosmetic differences can occur between prints because each root is individually produced rather than injection molded.

🛠️ Made to Order
Each root is printed individually after you order, so minor differences between pieces are normal. Production time is separate from shipping time. All four sizes print and ship as a single piece, so there is nothing to assemble.

⚠️ Safety and Compatibility
This product is decorative habitat decor, not a toy. You are responsible for deciding whether the size, material, openings, surfaces, and placement are appropriate for your specific animals and habitat. Animals should not be allowed to chew or ingest the material, and the item should be removed if it becomes damaged, as small parts or broken pieces may present a hazard. CurioPrinta cannot account for every species, animal behavior, enclosure design, water chemistry, temperature, or maintenance routine, so please confirm suitability for your own setup before use.
Species named in this listing are for search and design context only, not a compatibility or safety claim.

📦 What Is Not Included
You receive one Slanted Mangrove Root in the size and model you select, printed unpainted. Everything else shown in the product photos is not included, such as:
🌿 Plants, moss, and substrate
🪨 Rocks, backwalls, and other hardscape or props
🐸 Animals
💡 Lighting, and the aquarium or terrarium itself
Some photos may show the root painted as a finishing example. The product ships unpainted.
❓ FAQ
💧 Can this be placed underwater?
Yes, when you choose the PETG Wet Model. PETG is the material CurioPrinta uses for submerged and high-humidity decor because it is better suited to prolonged water exposure than standard PLA. Rinse it first, seat it securely, and check it during normal maintenance. The PLA Dry Model should never go underwater.
🎨 Is the aquarium version painted?
No. The PETG Wet Model ships completely unpainted in a solid filament color. Any painted images are finishing examples only.
🌵 Can I order this in PLA?
Yes, as the PLA Dry Model for arid terrariums, dioramas, tabletop terrain, and dry display. PLA is not recommended for submerged aquarium use, misted or constantly humid enclosures, or strong UV lighting.
☀️ Which version should I pick for a UV-lit or basking setup?
The PETG Wet Model. PETG handles UV better than PLA, though continuous high-output UV can still gradually embrittle any plastic over time. Keep the root out of direct contact with heat lamps either way.
🧩 Does it need assembly?
No. Every size, including XL, ships as a single printed piece.
🖌️ Can I paint it myself?
CurioPrinta does not recommend customer-applied paint for submerged use, and the root ships unpainted. If you choose to paint or coat it for any animal habitat, you must independently research and confirm that the product is suitable for your intended species and environment.
🧹 How should I clean it?
Rinse the PETG Wet Model with clean water and use a soft brush if needed. Avoid soaps, bleach, solvents, abrasives, boiling water, and dishwashers. Dust the PLA Dry Model with a soft brush or a lightly damp cloth.
📷 Will it look exactly like the photographs?
Very close, but small differences in texture, layer lines, and color are normal for made-to-order 3D prints, and the look can shift under aquarium lighting or when submerged.
🐟 Is it suitable for my specific fish, reptile, amphibian, snail, or shrimp?
That depends on your animal and setup. Compare the dimensions, openings, and gaps against your species’ adult size, pick the model that matches your humidity, and follow qualified husbandry guidance. CurioPrinta cannot guarantee compatibility with any specific animal.

Designed by novYTerra