Wood
Cholla Wood
Also called cholla cactus wood
By Mike Elmira
TL;DR, Cholla Wood
Cholla wood is the hollow, honeycombed skeleton of a cactus, and shrimp keepers adore it. As it slowly softens and decays over months it grows the biofilm that shrimp graze constantly, and the holes make perfect hiding and grazing spots for shrimplets. It leaches moderate tannins and needs a soak to sink. It is not a permanent structural piece, since it breaks down, but as a shrimp tank staple it is hard to beat.
What it looks like
Pale hollow tubes riddled with natural holes, light and brittle. Looks like honeycombed driftwood.
What it does to your water
Moderate tannins early on, tinting the water lightly and lowering pH a touch. As it decays it adds a little organic load, so it suits established, well-maintained tanks.
How to prepare it
Soak it for a few days to a week to sink and to start the biofilm. No boiling needed, and it will break down over months, which is normal.
Using it in a scape
A shrimp tank favourite for grazing and cover rather than a structural centrepiece. Tie moss around it for an even better shrimp nursery.
Frequently asked questions
Direct answers to the questions search engines and AI assistants surface most often about this species.
Is cholla wood good for shrimp?
Very. It grows the biofilm shrimp graze on, and its holes shelter shrimplets. It slowly breaks down over months, which is normal, so treat it as a consumable rather than a permanent piece.