3D printing has transformed how we design aquarium accessories — and when it comes to creating the perfect aquarium cave, material and shape matter more than most realize. Whether you care for bottom dwelling fish like plecos or shrimp, or elegant bettas and guppies, a well-chosen cave improves both behavior and health of your aquatic pets. In this expert guide, I’ll show you which Aquireef3D cave designs suit each species best — all engineered for pet safety and long-life durability.
Table of Contents
As I’ve already written in-depth articles covering each of the key points below, this section will be brief — just a quick refresher with links for anyone who wants to dive deeper into specific topics. For everyone else, consider it a short reminder before we kick off exploring my cave designs in detail.
Before choosing an aquarium cave, it’s essential to understand what matters most: the behavior, size and habits of your aquatic pet. For example, an active pleco needs a long, secure tube, while a playful guppy prefers open access and rounded edges. Although 3D printing allows for precise customization, your design still must match the species’ needs. Get more detailed info on this in this topic.
Equally important is the choice of material. PETG is preferred for underwater use due to it’s safety, non-toxicity and structural stability over time. Choosing the right filament ensures your pets remain safe and healthy. More info on differences between the printing filaments here.
Tank size also plays a role — a large cave in a nano tank may limit swimming space or crowd the environment, while too many small caves in a large tank may go unnoticed. Ventilation, flow dynamics and ease of cleaning should also be considered. Good caves provide not just shelter, but contribute to a balanced, functional aquascaping.
When it comes to creating the right aquarium cave for cichlids — size really matters. Since there are many different cichlid species with varying needs, I’ll focus here on one of the most popular and commonly kept groups: the African Rift Lake Cichlids, especially species from Lake Malawi and Lake Tanganyika like Pseudotropheus, Labidochromis or Neolamprologus. These fish are known for their territorial and semi-aggressive behavior, particularly during breeding or when establishing dominance.
For these species, caves must be large enough to establish territory but tight enough to feel secure. At Aquireef3D I offer several designs that fit the needs perfectly:
Unique Design Cichlid Cave — Tailored for aggressive fish, with a structure that offers visibility, hiding options while keeping visual control of the surroundings.
Volcano Corner Cave — Designed for corner placement, breaking the line of sight and reducing stress in territorial setups.
When choosing a cave for you cichlid fish or creating your own design, always keep in mind:
💡 Fun fact: Cichlids may modify the cave by digging or pushing substrate — I’ve seen it firsthand!
The Elephant Nose design cave will be a perfect fit for Guppies (Poecilia reticulata), Zebra Danios (Danio rerio), Tiger Barbs (Puntigrus tetrazona), Swordtails (Xiphophorus hellerii), Crayfish (Procambarus clarkii) and even Thai Micro Crabs (Limnopilos naiyanetri).
💡 Fun fact: My guppies love to play “follow the leader” game through the caves!
💡 Fun fact: I often find shrimp molts hidden deep inside — proof they trust and like these cave designs.
The unbeatable TOP #1 for bottom dwelling fish — the Pleco Hotel tubular cave design.
💡 Fun fact: Males will block the cave entrance with their body — totally normal!
The Cylinder Cave, Dragon Egg, Flower Cave & Betta Hammock Cave designs are all tailored to one, very popular home fish tank specie – the Betta Fish. Bettas are semi-aggressive, highly territorial fish known for their vivid colors and flowing fins. While they’re not “hiders” by nature, they seek out calm, shaded areas to rest, especially near the water surface. Males, in particular, like to claim small spaces where they can feel secure but still observe their surroundings.
💡 Fun fact: My betta lounges in his hammock cave like I do in a couch! Just look at the guy 😎
Yes, it’s possible! My Atlantis Catacombs and Riptide — are great examples, definitely my bestsellers designed for versatility! These naturalistic & authentic looking caves suit a variety of popular aquarium species — from small schooling fish to bottom dwellers and crustaceans.
The idea for the Atlantis Catacombs came from the mythic ruins of the lost city of Atlantis — imagined as a forgotten stone labyrinth buried deep beneath the sea. That ancient mystery inspired the layered, cave-like tunnels, offering small aquatic species a sense of hidden refuge and adventure in their everyday habitat.
This cave design features a horizontal, chamber-like tunnel system with sand-textured walls and multiple entry/exit openings. It’s especially popular for species that enjoy layered, lower-level shelters — like shrimp (Caridina, Neocaridina), dwarf crabs (Limnopilos naiyanetri) and small, shy fish like zebra danios (Danio rerio) or barbs (Puntius spp.). The multi-lane layout allows several individuals to explore or rest simultaneously without direct confrontation, making it ideal for community tanks with bottom dwellers or territorial species who need visual separation.
Riptide, on the other hand, stands out with the sculpted rocky look, larger archways and an open yet enclosed feeling. The inspiration for the Riptide cave came from the dynamic, swirling water patterns seen near rocky coasts and reef drop-offs — a place where fish dart between overhangs and shadows. That natural chaos is translated into a bold, flowing design that creates territorial space and visual excitement in any tank.
It offers a great mid-to-large option for fish like African cichlids (Labidochromis, Pseudotropheus), guppies (Poecilia reticulata), swordtails (Xiphophorus hellerii) and even crayfish (Procambarus clarkii) who like more room to maneuver. The Riptide cave design design creates visual flow and naturalistic depth while serving as a defensive territory hub for more dominant tank inhabitants.
Together, these two models balance natural aesthetics, multi-species compatibility and functional versatility, making them standout universal pieces in the Aquireef3D catalog. These designs work well in medium and large tanks where you want to balance form and function. Whether you’re creating a natural aquascape or simply adding character to your tank, Atlantis Catacombs and Riptide provide universal appeal across species — without compromising safety or style. Just look at the different aquatic pet types, that could call one of these designs their true home:
At the end of the day, choosing the right cave isn’t about trends — it’s about understanding your aquatic pet’s natural instincts and building a habitat that supports them. From territorial cichlids to curious shrimp, each species has its own comfort zone and a well-designed cave can make the difference between surviving and thriving.
3D printing gives us the freedom to design with purpose, not just aesthetics — whether it’s the complexity of gyroid tunnels, the calm openness of Voronoi lounges, or the bold shelter of the Riptide. And when done right, even one well-placed cave can restore balance, reduce stress and bring your entire aquascape to life.
Don’t just decorate — design (or choose a ready-to-print design) with intention. Your fish will feel it. And you’ll see the results.
I’d love to hear from you! Drop a comment below and share which cave designs you’ve tried, which species you keep and how they’ve interacted with their shelters. Remember – your feedback helps improve future designs and inspires others in the community!
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📚 While you’re here, don’t forget to check out my latest posts below — packed with practical tips, inspiration and tutorials to level up your aquarium game while you wait for the next article drop.
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