{"product_id":"galapagos-cholla-wood-branches-6-inch-3-pack-shrimp-pleco","title":"Galapagos Cholla Wood Branches 6\" 3-Pack | Aquarium Driftwood for Shrimp, Plecos \u0026 Bettas","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe \u003cstrong\u003eGalapagos Cholla Wood Branches (6\" 3-PACK)\u003c\/strong\u003e is the dried inner skeleton of the cholla cactus — a porous, hollow, naturally aquarium-safe driftwood that shrimp, plecos, bettas, and small fish absolutely cannot leave alone. The riddled surface grows biofilm fast, releases gentle tannins to soften and acidify water, and gives shy livestock a maze of hides to explore.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003ePair it with our \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/freshwater-invertebrates\"\u003eFreshwater Invertebrates\u003c\/a\u003e (shrimp colonies love this stuff), browse our \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/fresh-water\"\u003eFreshwater\u003c\/a\u003e selection, or shop more \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/nutrition\"\u003eFish \u0026amp; Invert Food\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;\"\u003eWhy Cholla Wood Works\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBiofilm magnet\u003c\/strong\u003e — the porous, fibrous surface is the perfect substrate for the micro-foods shrimp graze on.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNatural tannins\u003c\/strong\u003e gently lower pH and soften water — ideal for blackwater, betta, apisto, and shrimp tanks.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHollow tube structure\u003c\/strong\u003e — fry and small shrimp duck inside the branches for refuge.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAnchor for plants \u0026amp; moss\u003c\/strong\u003e — tie Java moss, Anubias, or Bucephalandra to the wood for instant aquascape detail.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePlecos \u0026amp; algae-eaters love it\u003c\/strong\u003e — the soft fibrous wood gives them something to rasp on (also great as a chew toy for hermit crabs \u0026amp; iguanas in terrariums).\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e3-pack of ~6\" branches\u003c\/strong\u003e — enough variety for a 10–20 gal nano or to scape one focal area in a larger tank.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;\"\u003eSetup \u0026amp; Use\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePre-soak\u003c\/strong\u003e in a separate tub of dechlorinated water for 1–2 weeks, changing the water daily. This removes excess tannins (which turn water tea-colored) and waterlogs the wood so it sinks.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTip: boiling for 15–20 minutes speeds the process and helps sterilize the wood.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOnce it sinks on its own, arrange in your tank — wedge into rockwork, attach to slate, or let it sit free on the substrate.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOptional: tie plants like Java moss or Anubias to the wood with thread or super glue gel.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIf you \u003cem\u003ewant\u003c\/em\u003e the blackwater look, skip the long soak — the tannins are non-toxic and beneficial for shrimp and bettas.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ol\u003e\n\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;\"\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ctable style=\"width:100%;border-collapse:collapse;\"\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #ddd;padding:6px 10px;background:#f7f7f7;width:40%;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBrand\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #ddd;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eGalapagos\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #ddd;padding:6px 10px;background:#f7f7f7;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSKU\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #ddd;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e05270\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #ddd;padding:6px 10px;background:#f7f7f7;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMaterial\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #ddd;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eNatural dried cholla cactus skeleton\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #ddd;padding:6px 10px;background:#f7f7f7;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eQuantity\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #ddd;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e3 branches per pack, ~6\" each (natural variation in length and diameter)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #ddd;padding:6px 10px;background:#f7f7f7;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBest For\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #ddd;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eDwarf shrimp, plecos, bettas, blackwater \u0026amp; tannin-loving tanks, terrariums\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #ddd;padding:6px 10px;background:#f7f7f7;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWater Type\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #ddd;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eFreshwater\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #ddd;padding:6px 10px;background:#f7f7f7;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eEffect on Water\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #ddd;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eReleases tannins (lowers pH \u0026amp; softens GH gradually); tea-colored tint until pre-soaked\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #ddd;padding:6px 10px;background:#f7f7f7;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eUPC\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #ddd;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e759834052708\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;\"\u003ePair It With\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/assorted-dwarf-neocaridina-shrimp\"\u003eAssorted Dwarf Neocaridina Shrimp\u003c\/a\u003e — the classic shrimp colony tankmate for cholla.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/blue-diamond-shrimp-neocaridina-davidi-freshwater\"\u003eBlue Diamond Shrimp\u003c\/a\u003e — stunning blue Neocaridina that pops against the warm-tone wood.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/katsaquatics-shrimpsicles-freeze-dried-shrimp-treat\"\u003eKatsAquatics Shrimpsicles\u003c\/a\u003e — high-protein food stick for shrimp colonies.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/aquavitro-shrimp-small-hut-ceramic-shrimp-shelter\"\u003eAquavitro Shrimp Small Hut\u003c\/a\u003e — add a ceramic refuge alongside the wood for varied hides.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/freshwater-aquarium-plants\"\u003eFreshwater Aquarium Plants\u003c\/a\u003e — Java moss \u0026amp; Anubias to attach.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;\"\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWill my water turn brown?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eSome, yes — cholla wood releases tannins. Pre-soak it for 1–2 weeks to minimize the effect, or embrace the natural “blackwater” look (good for bettas, killifish, and shrimp).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow long does it last?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eMost cholla wood breaks down over 6–12 months in the tank as shrimp and microfauna graze on it. That is normal — the wood is food.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWill it lower my pH too much?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eFor most tanks the drop is gentle (0.2–0.5). Tanks with very high KH\/GH may see little change. Test before and after to verify.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCan I use it in saltwater?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eNo — cholla wood is meant for freshwater only. The tannins and organic load are not reef-safe.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWill it scratch acrylic tanks?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eNo — the wood is soft. It will not scratch glass or acrylic. Just place gently to avoid impact damage.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Squeaky's Aquatics","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48332379554011,"sku":"05270","price":15.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0767\/5209\/3403\/files\/image_50a8d7eb-f9af-423c-99ab-8a3f300d12f0.jpg?v=1772995720","url":"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/galapagos-cholla-wood-branches-6-inch-3-pack-shrimp-pleco","provider":"Squeaky's Aquatics","version":"1.0","type":"link"}