Nature Boys African Cholla Finger

Nature Boys African Cholla Finger

Nature Boys African Cholla Finger is a natural cholla wood shelter and grazing surface for aquarium shrimp. It gives them a safe hiding place during moulting, and as it slowly breaks down it grows a nutritious bio-film that shrimp feed on. It suits South African shrimp keepers who want a functional, natural alternative to ceramic décor in a planted tank or dedicated shrimp setup.

Cholla wood is the woody skeleton of the Cylindropuntia bigelovii cactus from the deserts of Mexico and the USA. Long after the living cactus has withered, its hollow, lattice-like framework stays intact. The Nature Boys Finger combines that natural origin with a practical shape and a clear purpose in the aquarium. Nature Boys highlights its local sourcing, which it says keeps each piece fresh and true to its desert origins.

Key Benefits

• Natural shelter for shrimp: The hollow core makes a secure hideaway for both baby and adult shrimp.
• Protection during moulting: Adult shrimp are vulnerable while they shed their exoskeleton. The enclosed interior gives them a protected place to retreat to until their new shell hardens.
• Long-lasting, organic foraging site: The wood degrades slowly and naturally, and a nutritious bio-film forms on its surface as it does.
• Continuous food source: This bio-film gives shrimp something to graze on between regular feeds, which is why cholla is popular with shrimp keepers as both décor and supplementary shrimp food.
• Tannin release: Once submerged, the cholla releases tannins into the water. Tannins are known for their antibacterial and antifungal properties, which can help support a healthier environment for your shrimp.
• Natural aesthetic appeal: Its intricate, open structure is a natural-looking alternative to common ceramic ornaments and adds organic texture to the aquascape.
• Simple preparation: It only needs boiling water and a rinse before it goes into the tank.

How to Use

• Place the cholla in a heat-safe container and cover it completely with boiling water.
• Leave it to soak until it becomes waterlogged. This stops it floating once it is placed in the aquarium.
• Rinse the cholla thoroughly.
• Place it in your tank where shrimp can reach it easily. Over time it will develop the bio-film your shrimp graze on.

Suitable For

• Freshwater shrimp aquariums and nano shrimp tanks
• Baby shrimp needing safe cover and grazing surfaces
• Adult shrimp needing a protected retreat while moulting
• Planted and natural-style aquascapes where a wild, organic look is preferred over ceramic décor
• Many tank sizes, thanks to its versatile size

Specifications

• Brand: Nature Boys
• Material: Natural cholla wood, the skeleton of the Cylindropuntia bigelovii cactus
• Origin: Desert regions of Mexico and the USA
• Structure: Hollow core with an intricate, open lattice
• Weight: Quoted by the supplier as 100–150 g (3.5–5.3 oz). Each piece is a natural product, so size and weight vary from piece to piece. Check the details of the option you select.
• Behaviour in water: Releases tannins and degrades naturally over time, forming a bio-film on its surface

Available Sizes

The Nature Boys African Cholla Finger is offered in several sizes or variants. Choose your preferred option from the selection on this page.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does the cholla need to be soaked in boiling water first?
Covering it with boiling water until it is waterlogged lets it sink and stay in place in the aquarium. Afterwards, simply rinse it and add it to the tank.

Will the cholla break down in my tank?
Yes, it degrades slowly and naturally over time. This is part of its value, because the breakdown process forms the nutritious bio-film your shrimp feed on.

Can cholla replace my shrimp's normal food?
No. The bio-film is a continuous, natural grazing source that adds to your shrimp's diet. It is best used alongside a regular feeding routine.

Is it suitable for baby shrimp?
Yes. The hollow core gives both baby and adult shrimp a safe sanctuary, and the bio-film surface is easy for small shrimp to graze.

What do the tannins do?
The cholla releases tannins once it is submerged. Tannins are known for their antibacterial and antifungal properties and can help support a healthier environment for your shrimp.

Which size should I choose for my tank?
The supplier quotes a weight of 100–150 g (3.5–5.3 oz) and describes it as suiting a wide range of tanks. Because every piece is natural, compare the options on this page and pick the one that best fits your aquascape and shrimp colony.

When can I expect delivery?

• Gauteng (Jhb/Pta) - 1-3 working days
• Nationwide (Cpt/Dbn+) - 2-5 working days
• Outlying Areas - 3-7 working days

All orders are sent via Economy Road, typically through Fastway or Internet Express Couriers*. Estimated timeframes are not guaranteed. Once the order is collected by the courier, we have no control over third-party logistics and cannot make any time promises.

If you prefer a faster 🚀 shipping option, we also offer The Courier Guy during checkout in the dropdown selection. Please note that this option is not free, and you must choose it to use it. Please pay careful attention to the cutoff times and delivery timeframe for these options during checkout.

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Delivery times to lockers and pickup locations typically range from 2–7 working days, depending on your location.*

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Collection timeframes:

• Bob Box: Collect within 2 days of receiving your collection notification.
• PUDO Lockers: Collect within 36 hours of receiving your collection PIN or SMS notification.

If a PUDO parcel is not collected within 36 hours, it will automatically be transferred to the nearest PUDO Kiosk or Depot at no additional cost. The parcel will then be held there for approximately 2 days before being returned.

Please ensure you collect your parcel within the applicable collection period. Uncollected parcels will be returned to the sender, and additional shipping charges may apply should the order need to be resent.