AquaLibs presents AquaRank Discover the world’s leading aquascapers

Explore transparent rankings built from published results across the world’s leading aquascaping contests.

Introduction about France Aquascaping

France aquacaping style is mainly NA - with a twist. NA layout from France are wild and sexy, chaotic and melancholy, they have a special way of presenting the NA with a touch of the French creativity and that has taken the world by storm in recent years.

France's aquascaping history in IAPLC is one that full of intrigue too! From a relatively "unknown" nation in IAPLC just a few years ago, they surprised the world by not only crowning the IAPLC Grand Champion in 2014 but also did it with arguably one of the greatest grand prize work of all time!

In the following year (2015), they achieved their best ever average ranking of 15 as a nation by giving us 5 top scapers all ranked in the top27 (in fact...there are 7 French scapers in the top27 in total that year!) They are in the elite company as only a handful of nations capable of achieving this feat!

However, if we observed the France's Average Ranking graph for past 10 years, we will notice a slight "decline" in the last 2 years as a nation in term of average ranking, from a top 2/top 3 nations just 5 years ago, they have dropped out of top10 last year. There is no coincident why this is happening - according to reliable source, this decline has something to do with the few top France scapers quitting aquascaping contest and focus on other aspect in their lives.

Although this is a devastating blow to France's aquascaping but we also know that a strong nation will always strike back! They are aggressive in grooming their young blood through their local contest and the effort from the main aquascaping group (Rocks and Roots French Aquascaping Spirits)!

Introduction about France Aquascaping

2014-2016 marked the Golden Years in French aquascaping history! Can they repeat their glorious day?

Introduction about France Aquascaping

Introduction about France Aquascaping

FACT - one of the most talented group in aquascaping world! However, this group is no longer exist and the new group - Rocks and Roots French Aquascaping Spirit - is now tasked with the goal to carry to French flag in the aquascaping world!

Introduction about France Aquascaping

Introduction about France Aquascaping

Introduction about France Aquascaping

Introduction about France Aquascaping

Strength and weaknesses
France has a strong base and a strong group as a backbone in their "rebuilding" process. Their local contest has a few categories that not only allow the veteran French scapers to showcase their work, they also have a special category to let the beginners to gain experience and learn, this is a fantastic system. The question is....can they find enough top scapers to fill the void left behind in a short time?
They just won the FIFA World Cup....when will they win the IAPLC World Cup?

Leave your comments
Latest on News & Press
  • IAPLC 2020 - Rank 6 - Layered Jungle Stream with Schooling Fish and Bright Opening

    Leaping through time - Jheng Yu Lyu / Chinese Taipei - Bronze Prize IAPLC 2020 - Layered Jungle Stream with Schooling Fish and Bright Opening

    This image presents a densely planted underwater landscape built around a shaded, forest-like stream. Dark framing vegetation and arching wood create a strong tunnel effect, while a pale central opening supplies depth and directs attention toward the rear of the composition. A group of small fish occupies the middle water, reinforcing the impression of a living habitat. The scene is highly immersive and technically ambitious, although the darkness at both sides and the very dense planting make some structural relationships difficult to read. Scores below are editorial estimates based only on this image, not official contest results.
  • IAPLC 2026 TOP 300: 10 Notable Aquascapers to Follow

    IAPLC 2026 TOP 300: 10 Notable Aquascapers to Follow

    The IAPLC 2026 TOP 300 nominees include a compelling mix of former champions and accomplished competitors. One detail makes this year's announcement especially exciting: all four of the top finishers from IAPLC 2025 are nominated again—Josh Sim, Gang Zhao, Katsuki Tanaka and Hidekazu Tsukiji.
  • CIAC 2026 judging announcement with a minimalist illustration of the Great Wall of China.

    CIAC 2026 Enters Judging with a Record 650 Entries

    The 2026 Great Wall Cup International Aquascaping Contest (CIAC) has completed its submission phase and moved into judging, receiving 650 entries from 29 countries and regions.
  • IAPLC 2026 TOP 300 nominee counts by country, led by Japan with 68, China with 41 and Vietnam with 29.

    IAPLC 2026 TOP 300 by Country: Japan Leads

    Japan has the largest representation in the IAPLC 2026 TOP 300 nominee list, with 68 names. AquaLibs' analysis of ADA's official list counts 300 nominees across 49 countries and areas, with Vietnam third by nominee count.
  • IAPLC 2026: 29 Vietnamese TOP 300 Nominees

    IAPLC 2026: 29 Vietnamese TOP 300 Nominees

    Twenty-nine Vietnamese aquascapers have been named in the IAPLC 2026 TOP 300 nominee list published by ADA. Their nominations give Vietnam's aquascaping community a shared reason to celebrate as attention turns to the final results on October 10.
  • IAPLC 2026 TOP 300 nominees and October 10 results announcement

    IAPLC 2026 TOP 300 Nominees & Results Date

    The IAPLC 2026 TOP 300 nominee list is available, with final results scheduled for Saturday, October 10, 2026. For aquascaping enthusiasts, it is time to find familiar names and prepare for the reveal.
  • Leading the new world - Roger Goh / Singapore - Bronze Prize IAPLC 2020 - Rooted forest aquascape frames a luminous central waterway

    Leading the new world - Roger Goh / Singapore - Bronze Prize IAPLC 2020 - Rooted forest aquascape frames a luminous central waterway

    This image presents a densely planted forest-style aquascape organized around a bright opening and a pale, winding foreground channel. Massive dark roots create an overhead canopy and repeated vertical trunks, while small schooling fish provide scale and movement through the central space. The work is exceptionally complete visually, with mosses and compact plants covering much of the hardscape. Because the review is based on one photograph, plant identities, tank dimensions, maintenance history and the exact fish ecology cannot be verified. The scores below are an editorial estimate, not an official contest result.
  • Hokusai Katsushika - Albert Escrihuela Cáceres / Spain - Silver Prize - IAPLC 2020 - Moss-Covered Rock Ravine Framed by a Bright Opening

    Hokusai Katsushika - Albert Escrihuela Cáceres / Spain - Silver Prize - IAPLC 2020 - Moss-Covered Rock Ravine Framed by a Bright Opening

    This image presents a densely planted underwater ravine built from dark, layered rocks and heavily mossed branches or ledges. A school of small, vividly marked fish occupies the central passage, while a bright opening behind the hardscape supplies the principal depth cue. The layout has a strong sense of enclosure, movement and vertical relief, although the very dark edges make some construction and planting details difficult to assess. The following scores are an editorial estimate based only on this submitted image, not an official contest result, and long-term maintenance cannot be verified from a single photograph.
  • IAPLC 2020 - Rank 3 - Layered Driftwood Forest with a School of Striped Fish

    PURE - Josh Sim / Malaysia - Silver Prize - IAPLC 2020 - Layered Driftwood Forest with a School of Striped Fish

    This image presents a densely planted underwater forest organized around sweeping, interlocking driftwood. Fine-leaved growth covers much of the wood, while open water in the central lower area gives a school of vertically striped, long-finned fish room to move. The composition is immersive and convincingly mature in appearance, with strong depth created by overlapping branches, dark recesses and brighter planting behind the main structure. Because the image shows only one finished view, maintenance history, exact plant identities and hidden construction cannot be verified. The following scores are an editorial estimate, not an official contest result.
  • Undying - Steven Chong / United States of America - Gold Prize IAPLC 2020 - Layered Driftwood Arches Frame A Bright Underwater Forest

    Undying - Steven Chong / United States of America - Gold Prize IAPLC 2020 - Layered Driftwood Arches Frame A Bright Underwater Forest

    This image presents a densely planted aquatic scene organized around several dark, interlocking driftwood forms. The wood creates tunnels, ledges, and strong horizontal layers, while a bright open area behind the structure supplies depth and contrast. A compact school of small, striped-looking fish occupies the central water column and reinforces the sense of an active habitat. Mossy and fine-leaved growth covers much of the wood and foreground. Species, tank dimensions, maintenance history, and hidden construction cannot be confirmed from the image, so this review evaluates only visible evidence and treats the numerical scores as an editorial estimate, not an official result.
  • CONTEST 2020 Rank 1: Review of a Forest-Style Aquascape

    Eden - Siak Wee Yeo / Malaysia - Grand Prize IAPLC 2020

    This review examines the submitted aquarium image for IAPLC 2020, where the supplied contest context lists the entry at rank 1. The layout presents a dense, dark forest scene built around large branching hardscape, moss-covered surfaces, layered planting and a bright opening near the center. Small schooling fish reinforce the sense of scale and movement. The image is visually compelling and technically ambitious, although its heavy canopy and deep shadows make some structural details difficult to read. The assessment below is an editorial estimate based only on the visible photograph, not an official contest score.
  • Final Call: Only One Day Left to Enter CIAC 2026

    The clock is ticking for aquascapers around the world. Registration for the CIPS International Aquascaping Contest 2026 — CIAC 2026 officially closes on September 15, 2026. With only one day remaining, this is the final opportunity to submit your aquascape and compete for one of the most valuable prize packages on the international aquascaping calendar.
  • Introducing AquaRank: A Transparent World Ranking for Aquascapers

    Introducing AquaRank: A Transparent World Ranking for Aquascapers

    Aquascaping has grown into a truly international art form. Every year, thousands of aquascapers submit their work to competitions around the world, yet their achievements often remain scattered across old websites, PDF files, image galleries and results published in different languages.
  • 13 Easy Aquarium Plants for a Thriving Beginner Planted Tank

    13 Easy Aquarium Plants for a Thriving Beginner Planted Tank

    Starting a planted aquarium can seem daunting, but it doesn't have to be! Many beautiful and beneficial freshwater plants thrive with minimal effort, making them ideal for beginners. Adding live plants not only enhances the aesthetic appeal of your tank but also provides numerous benefits for your fish and invertebrates, like improved water quality, oxygenation, and natural hiding spots. This guide highlights 13 fantastic, easy-to-care-for aquarium plants that will help you create a lush, thriving aquatic environment from day one.
  • 12 Colorful & Compatible Freshwater Fish for Your Community Aquarium

    12 Colorful & Compatible Freshwater Fish for Your Community Aquarium

    Creating a vibrant and harmonious freshwater aquarium is a rewarding experience. The key lies in selecting fish that not only dazzle with their colors but also coexist peacefully in a community setting. This guide introduces you to some of the most stunning and amiable freshwater species, perfect for transforming your tank into a lively underwater paradise. We'll explore their unique characteristics, care requirements, and how to ensure they thrive alongside their tank mates.
  • "REFLECTION" - When the weight becomes silence: Decoding the top 4 MASTERPIECE at KIAC 2025

    Amidst the "earthquake" named Vietnam at KIAC 2025, the work "Reflection" by Aquascaper Long Tran Hoang emerges as a majestic yet subtle note. Securing the Top 4 spot (Bronze Prize), "Reflection" does not follow the trodden path of dense, detail-heavy Forest styles or distant mountain ranges. Instead, it chooses to make a powerful impression through the contrast between physical weight and visual lightness.