Water Colors Aquarium Gallery

Latest Episodes:

126. Cryptocoryne Jul 31, 2023

Show notes

The genus Cryptocoryne. From easy to easier. The episode is an introduction to plants from the genus Cryptocoryne. What are some of the available and not so available varieties and where are they found? Crypts are some of the easiest plants in the aquarium hobby. This doesn’t mean they are not cool! 50-60 Species of Crypt

Sri Lanka

Cryptocoryne Beckettii Cryptocoryne Wendtii Cryptocoryne Parva Cryptocoryne Wilisii Cryptocoryne Thwaitesii Cryptocoryne Alba Cryptocoryne Bogneri Cryptocoryne Walkeri (lutea) Cryptocoryne Nevilli Cryptocoryne Undulata Cryptocoryne India Cryptocoryne Ciliata Cryptocoryne Cognata Cryptocoryne Consobrina Cryptocoryne Retrospiralis Cryptocoryne Sivadasanii Cryptocoryne Spiralis Cryptocoryne Malaysia Cryptocoryne Affinis Cryptocoryne Ciliata Cryptocoryne Cordata Cryptocoryne Decus-silvae Cryptocoryne Diderici Cryptocoryne Elliptica Cryptocoryne Griffithii Cryptocoryne Longicauda Cryptocoryne Minima Cryptocoryne Moehlmanni Cryptocoryne Nurrii Cryptocoryne Pontederfolia Cryptocoryne Scurrils Cryptocoryne Schulzei Cryptocoryne Villosa Cryptocoryne Zukalii Cryptocoryne Thailand Cryptocoryne Albida Cryptocoryne Annamica Cryptocoryne Ciliata Cryptocoryne Crispatula

Cryptocoryne Cruddasiana

Cryptocoryne Vietnamensis Cryptocoryne Mecongensis Cryptocoryne Loeiensis

Borneo

Cryptocoryne Aura Cryptocoryne Auriculata Cryptocoryne Bullosa Cryptocoryne Ciliata Cryptocoryne Cordata Cryptocoryne Edithiae Cryptocoryne Furruginea Cryptocoryne Fusca Cryptocoryne Griffithii Cryptocoryne Hodoroi Cryptocoryne Ideii Cryptocoryne keei Cryptocoryne Grabowskii Cryptocoryne Lingua Cryptocoryne Longicauda Cryptocoryne noritoi Cryptocoryne Pallidinervia Cryptocoryne Striolata Cryptocoryne Uenoi Cryptocoryne Yujii Cryptocoryne Zaidiana Cryptocoryne Zonata Cryptocoryne New Guinea Cryptocoryne Ciliata Cryptocoryne Dewitt Cryptocoryne Versteegii Cryptocoryne Phillipines Cryptocoryne Aponogetifolia Cryptocoryne Ciliata Cryptocoryne Coronata Cryptocoryne Pygmea Cryptocoryne Usteriana

Sumatra

Cryptocoryne Bankaeinsis Cryptocoryne Ciliata Cryptocoryne Cordata Cryptocoryne Fusca Cryptocoryne Jacobsenii Cryptocoryne Longicauda Cryptocoryne Matakensis Cryptocoryne Minima Cryptocoryne Moehlmannii Cryptocoryne Nurii Cryptocoryne Ponterdriifolia Cryptocoryne Scurrilis Cryptocoryne Vilosa Cryptocoryne Wongsoi

125. Conservation: A Discussion on the Future of the Aquarium Hobby Jul 21, 2023

Show notes

This episode is a discussion on the difficult, yet necessary topic of conservation in the aquarium hobby. The Water Colors team, with special guest and staff member Calder Burton, have an open ended conversation about policy and regulatory changes that can and will affect the future of fish keeping. Calder is our quarantine department manager, as well as an environmental policy specialist. We hope to encourage listeners at home to take a greater stake in the hobby we all love.

We would love to hear your thoughts on this issue. Please join the ongoing conversation in the Water Colors Aquarium Gallery Podcast Listeners Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/788428861825086/

124. Top 5 Shrimp-Safe Fish Jul 14, 2023

Show notes

What fish are safe to keep in your beloved shrimp tank? It’s hard to resist the urge to add fish to a shrimp colony, but many species will turn your tank into an all you can eat buffet! In this episode, the Water Colors team discusses their top 5 picks for shrimp-safe fish. What fish do you keep with your shrimp?

Interested in learning more from like-minded aquarists? Join the Water Colors Aquarium Gallery Podcast Listeners Facebook group! https://www.facebook.com/groups/788428861825086/

Species mentioned in this episode:

Zebra oto, Otocinclus cocama
Butterfly barb, Enteromius hulstaerti
Clown killifish, Epiplatys annulatus
Threadfin rainbow, Iriatherina werneri
Stiphodon goby, Stiphodon atropurpureus
Jelly Bean tetra, Ladigesia roloffi
Scarlet badis, Dario dario
Halfbeaks
Licorice gouramis
Boraras sp.
Emerald dwarf danio, Celistichtys erythromicron
Neon blue rabsora, Sundadanio goblinus
Endler’s livebearers
Dwarf green barb, Pethio gelius
Corydoras Habrosus

123. Top 5 Livebearing Fish Jul 07, 2023

Show notes

In this episode, the Water Colors team discusses their top 5 picks for livebearing fish. Many of these wild type livebearers are certainly specialty fish, meaning they are often hard to find and have minimal research done on their behaviors. They can be exciting to keep at home, and easy to breed as a project!

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

Species mentioned in this episode:

Heterandria formosa, Least Killifish
Poecilia reticulata, Japan blue lyretail guppy
Neoheterandria elegans, Golden Teddy Livebearer
Limia tridens
Belonesox belizanus, Pike Topminnow
Micropoecelia picta, Swamp Guppy
Dermogenys pusilla, Wrestling Halfbeak
Zoogeneticus tequila, Tequila Splitfin
Anableps anableps, Four Eyed Fish
Jenynsia lineata
Jenynsia onca
Priapichtys nigroventralis
Xiphophorus clemenciae
Phallichtys tico
Xiphophorus nigrensis
Xiphophorus montezumae

122. Reef Predators Jun 30, 2023

Show notes

Predatory fish can be some of the most entertaining species to keep – but the same traits that make them fun can also pose a challenge! What tank mates do you keep with a fish predator? How do you feed and care for them? The Water Colors team discusses all these questions and more, and ranks their top 5 predatory reef fish.

Want to learn more about predatory fish? Or are you interested in seeing other aquarists’ projects and pets? Join the discussion on the Water Colors Aquarium Gallery Podcast Listeners group on Facebook! https://www.facebook.com/groups/788428861825086/

Species mentioned in this epsiode:

V-tail grouper (Cephalopholis urodeta)
Snowflake moray eel (Echidna nebulosa)
Volitan lionfish (Pterois volitans)
Giant frogfish (Antennarius commerson)
Warty frogfish (Antennarius maculatus)
Neon dottyback (Pseudochromis aldabraensis)
Honeycomb moray eel (Gymnothorax favagineus)
Dwarf fuzzy lionfish (Dendrochirus brachypterus)
Harlequin tusk wrasse (Choerodon fasciatus)
Speckled epaulette shark (Hemiscyllium trispeculare)
Arc eye hawkfish (Paracirrhites arcatus)
Niger triggerfish (Odonus niger)
Striped burrfish (Chilomycterus schoepfi)
Blue line grouper (Cephalopholis formosa)
Polleni grouper (Cephalopholis polleni)
Miniatus grouper (Cephalopholis miniata)
Clown triggerfish (Balistoides conspicillum)
Spanish hogfish (Bodianus rufus)

121. Top 5 Mop-Spawning Killifish Jun 23, 2023

Show notes

Killifish make for great pets, display fish, and breeding projects. Some of the easiest types to keep and breed are known as non-annual killifish, or mop-spawners! This name comes from the strategy aquarists use to induce spawning behavior – by placing a synthetic yarn mop to encourage breeding and to collect eggs. The Water Colors team discusses some of their favorite killifish that can be bred in this manner, as well as tips and tricks to take on your own project at home!

Watch our tutorial on creating mops here! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TteHpP9okBk

Watch our tutorial for collecting eggs here! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eHXBYxyTpTk

Have some fun killifish of your own you’d like to share? Or questions on how to begin your own project? Join the discussion on the Water Colors Aquarium Gallery Podcast Listeners Facebook group! https://www.facebook.com/groups/788428861825086/

Species mentioned in this episode:

Fundulopanchax gardneri
Aphyosemion striatum
Lamprichthys tanganicanus
Aphyosemion bivittatum
Aphyosemion hera
Scriptaphyosmeion gurgnardi
Fundulopanchax sjostedti
Aphyosemion fellmanni
Epiplatys annulatus
Aphyosemion australe “Gold”
Aphyosemion/diapteron abacinum
Aphanius mento
Epiplatys singa
Aphyosemion/diapteron fulgens
Epiplatys dageti (Monroviae)
Aphyosemion elberti

120. Top 5 Corydoras Jun 16, 2023

Show notes

Corydoras catfishes are some of the most universally loved bottom dwellers in the aquarium hobby. This genus is comprised of nearly 200 species and counting! In this episode, the Water Colors team ranks their top 5 cory cats, along with some useful tips on keeping and breeding these fun little armored catfishes.

Have some fun cory cats of your own? Share a picture or join the discussion on the Water Colors Aquarium Gallery Podcast Listeners Facebook group! https://www.facebook.com/groups/788428861825086/

Species mentioned in this episode:

Corydoras similis, Violet Cory
CW010, Orange Laser Cory
Corydoras adolfi, Adolofo’s Cory
Corydoras duplicareus
Corydoras habrosus, Dainty Cory
Corydoras pygmaeus, Pygmy Cory
Corydoras sterbai, Sterba’s Cory
Corydoras eques
Corydoras atropersonatus, Polka Dot Cory
Corydoras weitzmani, Twosaddle Cory
CW009, Green Laser Cory
Corydoras schultzei, Black Venezuelan Cory
Corydoras paleatus, Pepper Cory
Corydoras aeneus, Bronze Cory
CW28, Super Schwartzi Highfin Cory
Corydoras eversi
Corydroas hastatus
Corydoras trilineatus, Threestripe Cory
Corydoras julii, Julii Cory

119. Top 5 Tub Pond Fish Jun 09, 2023

Show notes

Tub pond season is once again upon us! This is a fun and effective way to breed fish outside, with the added benefit of naturally occurring live food and a beautiful display to enjoy. What are the best fish to keep in this manner, and what factors should we take into consideration? The Water Colors team has an in-depth discussion on their favorite species for this application.

Have a tub pond of your own? Or questions on how to set one up? Join the discussion in the Water Colors Aquarium Gallery Podcast Listeners Facebook group! https://www.facebook.com/groups/788428861825086

Correction: In this episode we stated that the Japanese ricefish is Oryzias woworae, when it is actually Oryzias latipes.

Species mentioned in this episode:

Fancy guppies
Zebra danios
Platys
Swordtails
Florida flagfish
Celestial pearl danios
Pseudomugil luminatus
Pseudomugil gertrudae
Blue paradise fish
Betta smaradigna
Laetacara curviceps
Odessa barbs
Rosy barbs
Corydoras similis
Corydoras trilineatus
Bristlenose plecos
Cherry barbs
Dwarf neon rainbows
White cloud mountain minnows
Oryzias woworae

118. Raising Fry Jun 02, 2023

Show notes

You know that excitement you feel when you see fry appear in an aquarium? Followed by the panic of “now what?” Well in this episode, the Water Colors team discusses everything you need to know about raising fry! From feeding, to water changes, to growth inhibiting hormones, we cover lots of frequently asked questions and share some stories of our own projects.

Have stories of your own you’d like to share? Join the discussion on the Water Colors Aquarium Gallery Podcast Listeners Facebook group! https://www.facebook.com/groups/788428861825086/

117. Top 5 Easy Corals May 26, 2023

Show notes

Are you interested in starting a reef tank, but are intimidated by coral care? Well in this episode, we discuss the top 5 easiest corals to keep in your saltwater aquarium! Some species grow as fast as weeds, and some are nearly impossible to kill. This makes for a great beginner friendly list, or just a fool proof range of easy to maintain corals for hobbyists of all experience levels.

What species would you add to this list? Join the discussion on the Water Colors Aquarium Gallery Podcast Listeners Facebook page! https://www.facebook.com/groups/788428861825086/

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Some species mentioned in this episode: