Water Colors Aquarium Gallery

Latest Episodes:

175. New Discoveries Jul 19, 2024

Show notes

The past several decades have brought some monumental advances to the aquarium hobby. From marine breeding breakthroughs to taxonomic discoveries, we have a better understanding of our aquariums and animals than ever before. Technological innovations give us more efficient equipment in smaller, sleeker packages. The world of reef keeping is becoming more accessible with each passing day. What new discoveries are you excited about?

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174. Top 5 Mimics Jul 12, 2024

Show notes

The art of mimicry is a fascinating topic. Some animal use this skill to trick their prey, while others can use it to trick would-be predators. This episode is all about our top 5 favorite examples of mimicry in aquatic environments. From freshwater to saltwater, we have a range of impressive animals that have evolved to use mimicry to their advantage in creative ways.

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Species mentioned in this episode:

Calloplesiops altivelis, (Marine Betta) & Moray eels
Ctenochaetus hawaiienis, (Chevron tang) & Centropyge potteri (Potter’s Angel)
Synodontis multispinis, (Cuckoo Catfish)
Corydoras adolfi (Adolfi’s cordoras) & Corydoras duplicareus (Duplicate corydoras)
Cryptocorynne flowers
Nimbochromis genus
Pseudochromis fuscus (Brown dottyback)
Manonichthys paranox (Midnight dottyback) & centropyge nox (Midnight angelfish)
Manonichthys jamali (Jamal’s dottyback) & Chromis atripectoralis (Black-axil chromis)
Acantharus pyroferus (Chocolate tang) & centropyge heraldi (Herald’s angelfish)
Acantharus chronixis (Mimic half-black tang) & Centropyge vrolikii (Half-black angelfish)
Acantharus tristis (Mimic Eibli tang) & Centropyge eibli (Eibli angelfish)
Nannostomus unifasciatus (One-lined pencilfish)
Antennarius maculatus (Warty frogfish)
Histrio histrio (Sargassum frogfish)
Pterois volatans (Volatin lionfish)
Phyllopteryx taeniolatus (Weedy sea dragon)
Scolopsis bilineatus (Sunshine bream) & Meiacanthus grammistes (Fang blenny)
Paraluteres prionurus (Saddleback filefish) & Canthigaster valentini (Valentini puffer)
Solenostomus paradoxus (Ornate ghost pipefish)
Monocirrhus polyacanthus (South American leaffish)
Aspidontus taeniatus (Sabretooth blenny) & Labroides dimidiatus (Cleaner wrasse)

173. Aquarium Events Jul 05, 2024

Show notes

Conventions, clubs, carnivals, and more! This episode is all about our favorite community events in the aquarium world. Aquarium clubs truly are the backbone supporting small aquarium shops and local fishkeeping scenes. Getting involved in your local club could be the difference in keeping the hobby alive in your area! Some events discussed in this episode are massive, public conventions – while others are comprised of close-knit groups with specialized interests. There’s surely an event for everyone!

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2024 Events/organizations mentioned in this episode:

FINDIG Sacramento Aquarium Society
- Past event 2024
Aquashella
- Chicago 8/3 – 8/4
- Daytona 11/2 – 11/3
IBC / FOTAS 2024
- Baton Rouge 7/19 – 7/21
MACNA
- 2024 event cancelled
ACA National Convention
- Cincinnati 7/25 – 7/28
OCA Cichlid Extravaganza
- Strongsville 11/22 – 11/24
All Aquarium Catfish Convention 2024
- Burlington 11/1 – 11/3
AGA National Convention
- Past event 2024
ALA & AKA
- Past event 2024
NEC
- Past event 2024
NANFA Convention
- Past event 2024
Grand Valley Aquarium Club
Michiana Aquarium Society
West Michigan Marine Aquarium Society

172. Top 5 Poeciliid Livebearing Fish Jun 28, 2024

Show notes

Some of the most recognizable aquarium fish belong to the family poeciliidae, including the well-loved guppies, endlers, platys, and more. The term ‘livebearing’ refers to fish that are ovoviviparous; meaning the offspring are hatched within the body of the parent. The Water Colors team shares their top 5 favorite fish from this family, including discussions on species characteristics, care, and personal experiences. We cover some classics, such as mollies, and some rare species, such as predatory livebearing pike minnows!

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Species mentioned in this episode:

Priapichthys nigroventralis
Xiphophorus nigrensis
Xiphophorus malinche
Poecilia schenops
Sailfin molly, poecilia latipinna
Neoheterandria elegans
Limia tridens
Pike topminnow, belonesox belizanus
Knife-edged livebearer, alfaro cultratus
Xenophallus umbratilis
Well-bred captive guppy strains
Mountain swordtail, xiphophorus nezahualcoyotl
Poecilia wingei
Four-eyed fish, anableps anableps
Blackchin livebearer, girardinus metallicus

171. Fish Anatomy Jun 23, 2024

Show notes

In this episode, the Water Colors team joins Charles as we tackle the huge topic that is fish anatomy! Specifically, we are looking at the biology and physiology of teleost fishes, and how we can use this information to better understand our fishy friends and become better aquarists. Join us as we learn about some incredible evolutionary adaptations, specialized organs, and more!

Join the discussion on the Water Colors Aquarium Gallery Podcast Listeners Facebook group! https://www.facebook.com/groups/788428861825086/

Enjoying the show? Support the gallery by shopping aquarium plants, merch, equipment, and more! https://watercolorsaquariumgallery.com/

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170. Nano Plants (Note: audio technical difficulties) Jun 14, 2024

Show notes

Aquacaping is all about scale and perspective. Using the incorrect plants in nano tanks can often ruin the sense of scale. In this episode, the Water Colors team discusses their top 5 plants suitable for smaller tanks! There is a variety of species covered, ranging in color, texture, and care. This comprehensive list should provide a great reference for new and experienced aquarists alike! What’s your favorite plant for nano aquariums?

*Editor’s note: We experienced a few minor audio issues in this episode, apologies for the inconvenience

Join the discussion on the Water Colors Aquarium Gallery Podcast Listeners Facebook group! https://www.facebook.com/groups/788428861825086/

Enjoying the show? Support the gallery by shopping aquarium plants, merch, equipment, and more! https://watercolorsaquariumgallery.com/

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Species mentioned in this episode:

Microsword, lilaeopsis novae-zelandiae, lilaeopsis mauritiana
Golden nesaea, ammania pedicellata
Anubias ‘nana petite’, anubias baertier var. ‘nana’
Marsilea quadrifolia, marsilea crenata, marsilea minuta
Hydrocotyle tripartita
Valisneria gracilis
Juncus repens
Pogostemon helferi
Rotala mexicana
Crypt parva, crypt lucens, crypt willisii
Marimo moss balls
Sußwassertang
Cardinal plant, lobelia cardinalis
Ammania gracilis
Mini bolbitis, Bolbitis Heteroclita ‘Difformis‘
Bucephalandra, ‘needle leaf mini’
Micranthemum
Dwarf hair grass, Eleocharis Parvula
Glossostigma
Dwarg sagittaria, Sagittaria subulata
Blyxa japonica
Rosette sword, Echinodorus parviflorus
Eriocaulon ‘Vietnam’

169. Cold-water Marine Aquariums Jun 07, 2024

Show notes

In this episode, the Water Colors team discusses some incredible saltwater organisms that require cooler temperatures, as well as some examples of cold-water marine tanks and how to pull them off appropriately. Understand that cold-water aquariums are fundamentally different than our typical reef tanks. They generally require expensive chillers, many of the organisms from these environments have slower metabolic rates, the nitrogen cycle is dramatically slowed in cooler temperatures, and let’s not forget about condensation! What cold-water species would you keep?

Join the discussion on the Water Colors Aquarium Gallery Podcast Listeners Facebook group! https://www.facebook.com/groups/788428861825086/

Enjoying the show? Support the gallery by shopping aquarium plants, merch, equipment, and more! https://watercolorsaquariumgallery.com/

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Species/examples mentioned in this episode:

Caribbean Biotope: yellow gorgonian, tubastraea, coral banded shrimp
Macroalgae “tidepool” style tank
Catalina goby, lythrypnus dalli
Thick-horned nudibranch, hermissenda crassicornis
Bimac octopus, octopus bimaculoides
Garibaldi damselfish, hypsypops rubicundus
Pacific spiny lumpsucker, eumicrotremus orbis
Horn shark, heterodontus francisei
Lined seahorse, hippocampus erectus

168. Grasses and Friends May 31, 2024

Show notes

This episode is all about grass-like plants and how to grow them! Technically, only species from the family poacea are true grasses – but for the purpose of this episode, we extend the label to anything long and ‘grassy.’ Utilizing these plants in your home aquariums can add some excellent contrast in texture to your aquascapes. From fine-leaved eriocaulon plumes to short and manicured dwarf hairgrass carpets, we cover a variety of grassy plants in this top 5 list.

Join the discussion on the Water Colors Aquarium Gallery Podcast Listeners Facebook group! https://www.facebook.com/groups/788428861825086/

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Species mentioned in this episode:

Hygroryza aristata
Poacea sp. ‘Purple bamboo’
Eriocaulon sp. ‘Feather duster’
Eriocaulon sp. ‘Malayatoor’
Eleocharis acicularis, Dwarf Hairgrass
Vallisaneria gracilis
Vallisaneria nana
Helanthium bolivianum ‘Quadrocostatus’
Helanthium tenellum
Juncus repens
Eleocharis montevidensis, Giant Hairgrass
Sagtittaria subulata, Dwarf sag
Syringodium filiforme, Manatee grass
Blyxa japonica
Cyprus helferi
Utricularia graminifolia
Crinum calimastratum

167. Marine Snails May 24, 2024

Show notes

Marine snails are much more than just a clean up crew! The available species are diverse and complex, with some even living up to 40 years! The Water Colors team discusses all you need to know when keeping marine snails in your home aquariums, including care for these amazing invertebrates, species profiles, and how we can keep them more ethically.

Join the discussion on the Water Colors Aquarium Gallery Podcast Listeners Facebook group! https://www.facebook.com/groups/788428861825086/

Enjoying the show? Support the gallery by shopping aquarium plants, merch, equipment, and more! https://watercolorsaquariumgallery.com/

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Species mentioned in this episode:

Margarita snails (margarites pupillus)
Bumblebee snails (engina mendicaria)
Crown conch (melongena corona)
Babylon snails (babylonia spirata)
Conchs (Genus strombus)
- Fighting conchs (strombus alatus)
Moon snails (Family Naticidae)
Turbo snails (Genus turbo)
- Chestnut turbo snails (turbo castanea)
- Mexican turbo snails (turbo fluctuosus)
Trochus snails (trochus radiatus)
Astrea snails (lithopoma americanum)
Ninja star astrea snails (lithopoma phobium)
Stomatella (stomatella planulata)
Nerite snails (Family neritidae)
Cerith snails (Family cerithiidae)
Nassarius snails (Family nassariidae)
Lettuce sea slugs (Superorder sacoglossa)

166. Conservation Projects and How to Get Involved May 17, 2024

Show notes

Many of our values here at Water Colors are derived from an understanding that the aquarium industry is inherently harmful to the planet, and in turn, to the fish we love. We tend to harp on these negative impacts in an effort to better understand how we can improve our own practices, and push for changes in the industry we love.

In this episode, however, the Water Colors team focuses more on the positive, sharing their top 3 conservation projects led by some amazing people and passionate organizations! These incredible conservationists are making strides to preserve and protect many of the environments our favorite fish come from, as well as supporting the people that live there. From rainforests to our own backyards, we encourage our listeners to consider donating to these excellent causes if they have the means. Links for all projects mentioned will be listed below.

Join the discussion on the Water Colors Aquarium Gallery Podcast Listeners Facebook group! https://www.facebook.com/groups/788428861825086/

Enjoying the show? Support the gallery by shopping aquarium plants, merch, equipment, and more! https://watercolorsaquariumgallery.com/

Looking for more content? Become a YouTube member for exclusive access to behind the scenes livestreams! https://www.youtube.com/@watercolorsaquariumgallery

Conservation Efforts mentioned in this episode:

Sumatran Eco Project: https://www.sumeco.id/help-us/
The George Maier Fund: https://aka.org/!area_WordPress/make-a-donation-to-the-gmf/
Bocas Mariculture: https://www.bocasmariculture.com/
Devil’s Hole Pupfish: https://www.fws.gov/refuge/ash-meadows/get-involved
Korup Rainforest Conservation Society: https://www.korup-conservation.org/
Rising Tide Conservation: https://www.risingtideconservation.org/donate/
PADI Aware Foundation: https://donate.padiaware.org/
Raincoast Research Society: https://raincoastresearch.org/support-our-science/get-involved/
RIPPLE: https://www.michigan.gov/invasives/take-action/landowners-gardeners-pond-owners/ripple
Salmon in the Classroom: https://www.michigan.gov/dnr/education/educators/sic
Project Piaba: https://projectpiaba.org/donate/
Seafood Watch: https://www.montereybayaquarium.org/join-give/ways-to-give/give

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