If you've been keeping shrimp for a while, you might have come across it at some point: cholla wood. It's all the rage in the shrimp hobby, but what is it? What are the benefits, and should you be using it in your own tank?

Keep reading for everything you need to know about this wood type and using it in your shrimp aquarium!

What is cholla wood?

Cholla (pronounced "choya") wood is a type of wood usually sold in pieces of around 4-6". It doesn't come from trees, but is actually a product of the cholla cactus (genus Cylindropuntia). When these cacti die and dry out, their wooden skeleton remains.

Using cholla wood in a shrimp tank

Uses and benefits of cholla wood

Although cholla cactus wood is definitely a visually interesting addition to the aquarium, most aquarists don't use it for its decorative value. It's added to the aquarium because shrimp love it!

Water quality benefits

Unlike most types of wood that are used in the aquarium, cholla is soft and breaks down over time. As this happens, all kinds of beneficial processes take place. As with Indian almond leaves and alder cones, two other popular natural additives for shrimp aquariums, tannins are released into the water.

Tannins can stain the water a slight yellow color, which some consider unsightly but which actually helps imitate the natural habitat of many shrimp species. Most importantly, though, tannins have antibacterial and antifungal properties, which help protect your shrimp against disease.

Foraging benefits

As cholla cactus wood breaks down, biofilm (a slimy layer of bacteria and unicellular organisms) forms on it. This makes it the perfect place for shrimp to forage! Biofilm is one of their favorite foods. A single piece of this wood will likely have multiple shrimp on it at any given time.

Helps shrimp feel safe

Lastly, because cholla is hollow and holey, it makes a great hiding place for shrimp. You can use it as a more natural-looking alternative to ceramic shrimp flats. Shrimp will especially appreciate it while molting, when they're very vulnerable and like to be able to retreat to a safe place.

A red cherry shrimp on cholla cactus wood.
Red cherry shrimp on cholla wood.

How to use cholla wood

Cholla isn't difficult to use in your shrimp tank at all. Just buy your cholla cactus wood pieces and, if you're not happy with the size, saw them into smaller bits. This should be an easy task, as the wood is quite soft and not too difficult to cut through.

Like other wood types, cholla doesn't immediately sink when placed into the aquarium; the waterlogging process can take a few days. If you don't want a piece of wood floating around, be sure to waterlog your cholla before placing it in the tank. This can be done by simply leaving it in a bucket of water until it sinks. Some sources also recommend boiling the wood to sterilize and waterlog it, but keep in mind that this does cause the wood to break down much quicker.

Once you've placed the cactus wood in your shrimp tank, you can just leave it there until it's fully gone (which can take multiple years with large pieces). As with other leaf litter, the decaying process is not harmful to your livestock.

Note: If you live in an area where cholla cacti naturally grow, you might be able to collect your own wood. Look for pieces that are already dead and dried out. After all, you really don't want to come near live cholla spines (they're barbed!) and the drying process takes very long anyway.

Frequently asked questions

How long does cholla wood last?

Smaller pieces of cholla wood usually last a few months to a year in the aquarium. Larger branches will take several years to decay.

Buying cholla wood

If you don't have cholla cacti growing nearby, there are plenty of places where you can buy it for a relatively cheap price. The Shrimp Farm sells cholla wood in 4-6" pieces, which you can order here.

the shrimp farm