Cholla Wood – Natural Aquarium Shrimp Hide & Aquascaping Wood

Cholla Wood is a natural, lightweight aquarium hardscape material prized for its distinctive hollow structure, intricate texture, and porous surface. Popular in freshwater shrimp tanks and planted aquariums, it provides natural hiding places, grazing surfaces, and decorative appeal.

As Cholla Wood ages underwater, beneficial biofilm develops across its textured surface, creating a natural food source for grazing shrimp. Its hollow interior also provides shelter for shrimp and other small aquarium inhabitants, making it both a functional and attractive addition to your aquascape.

Available in four sizes and styles, including narrow Cholla Sticks and wider Cholla Tunnels to suit different aquarium layouts and livestock needs.

Available Sizes & Styles

Choose the Cholla Wood size that best suits your aquarium. Both Sticks and Tunnels feature natural hollow interiors, but Tunnel varieties have a wider diameter and larger interior opening, providing additional space for shrimp to explore and shelter.

Stick vs. Tunnel: Stick varieties have a narrower profile, while Tunnel varieties feature a wider hollow interior. Both provide natural surfaces for biofilm growth and shrimp grazing.

Key Features & Benefits

• Natural Shrimp Shelter: Hollow openings provide hiding places for shrimp, including freshly moulted individuals seeking cover.
• Encourages Biofilm Growth: The porous, textured surface provides an excellent area for natural biofilm to develop.
• Ideal for Shrimp Tanks: Popular with Neocaridina, Caridina, and other freshwater dwarf shrimp.
• Unique Natural Appearance: Its intricate, honeycomb-like structure adds organic detail to planted aquariums.
• Lightweight Hardscape: Easy to position among rocks, driftwood, and aquatic plants.
• Great for Moss & Epiphytes: Can be decorated with aquarium mosses, Anubias, Bucephalandra, and other suitable plants.
• Multiple Sizes Available: Choose from compact Sticks to larger, wider Tunnels.

Why Shrimp Love Cholla Wood

Freshwater shrimp naturally spend much of their time grazing on surfaces throughout the aquarium. Cholla Wood's porous texture provides an excellent environment for biofilm and microorganisms to establish themselves.

Over time, shrimp can be observed exploring the wood, picking at its surface, and moving through the hollow openings in search of food.

The interior also provides useful shelter for shrimp during vulnerable periods, particularly after moulting. In established shrimp colonies, Cholla Wood can offer additional surfaces for adult shrimp and shrimplets to explore.

Aquascaping Ideas

Cholla Wood is a versatile addition to natural aquarium layouts and can be used in several ways:

• Shrimp Hideouts: Position pieces along the substrate to create natural shelters and grazing areas.
• Moss-Covered Wood: Attach Java Moss, Christmas Moss, or other aquarium mosses to create a natural, overgrown appearance.
• Hardscape Accents: Combine Cholla Wood with aquarium stones and driftwood to add texture and visual interest.
• Natural Shrimp Displays: Use multiple pieces to create a network of hiding spaces throughout the aquarium.
• Paludarium Decorations: Incorporate into suitable humid or partially submerged layouts.

Preparation & Aquarium Use

1. Rinse Before Use: Rinse the wood thoroughly with clean water to remove loose dust or debris. Do not use soap or detergents.
2. Soak if Necessary: Cholla Wood is lightweight and may initially float. Soak it until sufficiently waterlogged or secure it temporarily beneath suitable aquarium hardscape.
3. Position in Your Aquarium: Place the wood where shrimp can easily access the hollow openings and surrounding surfaces.
4. Allow Biofilm to Develop: Over time, natural biofilm will establish itself on the wood, providing additional grazing opportunities.
5. Monitor Over Time: As a natural material, Cholla Wood will gradually soften and decompose underwater. Replace it when necessary.

Product Specifications

Note: Cholla Wood is a natural product. Shape, diameter, hollow openings, colour, and texture will vary between individual pieces. Listed lengths are approximate.

Create natural hiding spaces and grazing surfaces in your aquarium with Cholla Wood, available in four Stick and Tunnel options at Aquascaperoom Canada.