Caves

How to choose an aquarium cave

Match the cave to the animal. Plecos want a snug tube barely bigger than their body — males claim it, trap the female inside to spawn, then guard the eggs, which is why serious pleco breeders are picky about cave dimensions. Cichlids like apistogramma prefer enclosed caves with a single small entrance they can defend. Shrimp and crayfish just need dark crevices to molt safely, so multiple small hides beat one big one. All our caves are aquarium-safe ceramic or natural material — no paint that leaches, no sharp interior edges — and they double as hardscape you can plant mosses and Anubias on. A hiding animal isn't a shy animal; it's a secure one, and secure fish spend more time out in the open, not less.

Aquarium cave FAQs

What size cave does a pleco need?

Snug: the fish should fit inside with little room to spare — length just over the pleco's body, width barely wider than the fish. Breeders call it "trapping" size because the male blocks the entrance during spawning. A cave that feels too small to you usually looks perfect to the pleco. Buy for the fish's current size, and size up as it grows.

Are ceramic caves aquarium-safe?

Yes — kiln-fired, unpainted or aquarium-grade-finished ceramic is inert and won't alter your water. It won't change pH, won't leach anything, and holds up indefinitely underwater. Rinse a new cave before use.

Where should I place caves in my tank?

Entrance facing sideways or slightly away from the front glass — cave dwellers settle faster when the opening isn't fully exposed to room traffic. Set caves directly on the tank bottom or bury the base slightly so digging fish can't undermine them, and space multiple caves apart to break sight lines between territorial fish. Mosses and Anubias attached on top turn a cave into a natural-looking feature within weeks.