The Seiryu Stone Origins

Originating from Japan, Seiryu Stones are one of the most popular hardscape stones used in aquascaping. With their high demand around the world for these Seiryu Stones, they are now illegal to export from Japan. Most of the Seiryu stones being sold outside of Japan are typically Ryouh Stones and are just commonly misidentified. Even through Ryouh Stones are still worth their lbs, there is a difference between the two.

Seiryu Stone Japan

Seiryu Stone Description

The famous Seiryu Stone is blueish grey in color with sharp jagged edges. Most of them consist of deep cuts and crevices within the stone itself. Seiryu Stones frequently have calcite veins within their layers, creating a great contrast from its brilliant blueish grey hue to its stripes of white veins.

True Seiryu Stones

Difference between True Seiryu and Fake Seiryu

So what’s the difference between these two? For starters, True Seiryu Stones originate from Japan. They consists of a bit more calcite veins, but the biggest difference between Seiryu Stones and “Fake” Seiryu (Ryouh Stones) is that Seiryu Stones have a deep blueish hue to them. This striking feature makes them stand out that much more in an aquarium. Check out the photo(a) to find which stones are actually Seiryu Stones.

Specs for Seiryu Stones

  • Type: Metamorphic Rock
  • pH: Likely to Rise
  • gH: Likely to Rise
  • kH: Suspected to Rise
  • Shrimp Safe: Red Cherry Shrimp, Ghost/Glass Shrimp, Amano Shrimp

Seiryu stones will definitely raise your pH and gH depending on how many pounds per gallon you have added into your tank. They are completely shrimp safe for Red Cherry Shrimp, Ghost/Glass Shrimp, and Amano Shimp. When getting into Crystal Red Shrimp, it becomes a bit risky and you have to be cautious or counteract your rocks if they are affecting the water parameters too much. RO water or driftwood will help counteract the water effects of Seiryu Stones.

Seiryu Stones for Sale & Where to Buy

If you have no problem with your seiryu stones technically not being “true” blue, and you are okay with managing your water parameters a tad, then definitely consider them for your aquarium. Even though in the U.S., Seiryu/Ryouh stones are very hard rocks to find for sale, you can try your local bonsai shops or LPS. To help you in your search, Seiryu Stones go by these names as well: “Blue Dragon Stone”, “Dragonstone”, and “Yin Stone”. Check out down below for a list of online vendors that are selling Seiryu/Ryouh stones.