There are several reasons why holey rock is so expensive.  One of the main reasons is that it's just not that easy to get ahold of the great rocks we show for sale on the web site.  It's important to realize that the rocks we show are the best of the best.  We select for suitability with the aquarium and to make sure that your cichlids will fit in the holes.

On top of that, is the various hazards and difficulties we face when we're out in the woods hunting for your holey rocks.  We have to contend with tripping hazards, poison oak, fire ants, thorns, vines and the searing Texas heat in search of the best holey rocks.  Read more below if you'd like to come along on a typical rock hunt. 

Presuming we've found a good location to find the rocks, a hunt usually begins with a nice stroll through the dense foliage in and around Austin.  

Just looking around for the rocks we have to watch out for the vines, tree branches, insects and other pests that you always find out in the woods.  Sometimes the vegetation can get pretty packed.  Imagine all the thorns you'd find among the branches and vines in the picture below.

Despite the trouble, it's always great to find a suitable holey rock just waiting to go into someone's tank.  The picture below shows what a typical rock find looks like in the natural setting.

 OK, gotta let the excitement wear off and get back to work.  Always have to watch out when you unearth these guys.  You never know if there are spiders, fire ants, insects or other nefarious creatures lurking below.  

Ahhh... nothing bad underneath.  Now we get the fun part of hauling this little find out of the woods to clean it up, photograph it and see if anyone wants it.