Water Colors Aquarium Gallery

Latest Episodes:

235. Bragworthy Plants Sep 26, 2025

Show notes

In this episode, the Water Colors team discusses their top 5 most bragworthy aquarium plants! Some of these species are challenging to find or grow, and having a healthy specimen can show other aquarists that you’re a hardcore hobbyist. Other examples on this list are simply impressive to see, whether you’re an aquarium geek or not! From giant swords to flowering crypts, we love an opportunity to brag about impressive plants. Which plants are you most proud of?

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

Species mentioned in this episode:

Crinum calimastratum
Madagascar aponogetons
- A. longiplumulosus
- A. Madagascarensis
- A. Bolivianus
Crinum natans
Cryptocoryne parva
Nymphaea gardneriana, ‘Santarem lily’
Nymphoides cristata, Sp. ‘Taiwan’
Rotala vietnam
Vallisneria rubra
Cryptocoryne usteriana
Cryptocoryne undulata
Cryptocoryne walkeri
Eriocaulon sp. ‘feather duster’
Nymphaea dimorpha / minuta
Java fern
Echinodorus uruguayensis
Cryptocoryne albida

233. In Case of Emergency: Aquarium Disasters Sep 19, 2025

Show notes

In this episode, the Water Colors team discusses what to do when you encounter an aquarium emergency. From leaks to power outages, food dumps to broken pumps – what can you do when disaster strikes? We’ll talk about the common issues, how to troubleshoot, and how to prepare. What are the worst aquarium disasters you’ve experienced? You can send your stories into info@watercolorsaquariumgallery.com and they may be shared in a future episode!

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

234. Freshwater Fish List Roulette: The Bad List Sep 19, 2025

Show notes

In this episode, the Water Colors team is once again quizzed on their fish knowledge! Using the worst commercial wholesale fish list we can find and a random number generator, we roll a random species from the list and test each host to see if they know the species based only on the scientific name alone. Each turn, they can score a point by successfully proving they know the species. They can also earn a bonus point for guessing the correct Water Colors retail price. This game is made even more challenging due to the blatantly wrong or outdated information on this wholesale list! Try playing along at home and see if you get as frustrated as we do!

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

232. Desktop Aquariums Concepts Sep 05, 2025

Show notes

In this listener-suggested episode, the Water Colors team comes up with a few of their favorite concepts for nano tanks that can live on your desk! We are accepting votes on which of these concepts we will be setting up in the shop! Whether you work from home, or have a corporate desk job, there’s room for a mini project tank in your work space. We’ll discuss ideas that range from simple and hands-off, to complex designs with rare species and high end equipment. A few fan-favorite species will be mentioned, along with some surprising suggestions that are sure to get your ideas flowing! Your coworkers will either love you, or avoid you – depending on what type of tank you put on your desk! What desktop aquariums would you like to setup?

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

231. Freshwater Algae with Dr. Jordyn Stoll Aug 29, 2025

Show notes

In this episode, we are joined once again by freshwater ecologist and algae expert Dr. Jordyn Stoll! Jordyn studies algae in natural environments, and with her expertise, we hope to discuss some of the common algae varieties we encounter in our aquariums. The big question is – how do we treat it? Algae issues typically stem from nutrient imbalances, both in our aquariums and in nature. Identifying the species of algae is a great first step in learning how to eradicate it. Dr. Stoll and the Water Colors team will discuss algae identification, possible treatments, and share plenty of fun facts along the way.

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

230. An Ode to Killifish Aug 22, 2025

Show notes

After wrapping up our official Killifish month, the Water Colors team concludes by sharing their top 5 killifish of all time! March 2025 was full of non-stop killi action, including episodes on dirt-spawners (208), mop-spawners (207), and killifish biotopes (206). What better way to round it off than a classic top 5 list? For more in-depth discussion on killis, refer back to these previous episodes. Which killifish are in your top 5?

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

Species mentioned in this episode:

Fundulopanchax gardneri
Lucania goodei
Epiplatyus annulatus
Aphyosemion australe
Diapteron fulgens
Paraphanius mento
Jordanella floridae
Lamprichthys tanganicanus
Nothobranchius rachovii
Nothobranchius reubripinnis

Additional sources mentioned in this episode:

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1055790322000951

229. Top 5 Non-Armored Catfish Aug 15, 2025

Show notes

In this episode, the Water Colors Team discusses their top 5 non-armored catfish species! This excludes a lot of fan-favorite cats, such as corydoras and plecos, and forces the hosts to study up on some unusual species! It’s impossible to generalize catfishes, as they comprise nearly 10% of all known fish species. We’ll share some of our favorites, ranging from tiny, dwarf acts – to large, electric catfish! What are your favorite species?

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

Species mentioned in this episode:

Wasp catfish, akysis vespa
Marbled hoplo cat, megalechis thorocata
Gulper cat, asterophysus batrachus
Banjo cat, bunocephalus caracoideus
Eel-tailed banjo cat, platystacus cotylephorus
Bumblebee cat, microglanis iheringi
Glass catfish, kryptopterus vitreolus
Ornate pim, pimelodus ornatus
Pictus cat, pimelodus pictus
Dwarf upside-down cat, synodontis nigriventis
Stargazer catfish, astroblepus mancoi
Synodontis lucipinnis
Synodontis petricola
Dwarf anchor cat, erethistes jerdoni
Small-mouthed electric catfish, malapterurus microstoma
Gold hovering cat, chandramara chandramara

Sources referenced in this episode:

228. Freshwater Fish List Roulette: The Good List Aug 07, 2025

Show notes

In this new episode format, the Water Colors team is quizzed on their fish knowledge! Using our favorite commercial wholesale fish list and a random number generator, we roll a random species from the list and test each host to see if they know the species based only on the scientific name alone. Each turn, they can score a point by successfully proving they know the species. They can also earn a bonus point for guessing the correct Water Colors retail price. From African cichlids to oddball eels, we encounter some fun and unique species in this episode that are sure to stump even the experts!

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

227. Fancy Livebearers & Maintaining Strains Aug 01, 2025

Show notes

For our final episode of Livebearer Month, we welcome back Charles, who joins us to discuss fancy livebearers! It would be an injustice to talk about livebearing fish without taking a dive into the genetics behind the strains we know and love. Selective breeding is a process that has allowed aquarists to develop fish with specific traits, including those with dramatic, long fins and vibrant color variations. In this discussion, we’ll learn about some special varieties of fancy livebearers, how they were developed, and how to maintain a project of your very own! Which livebearing fish do you dream of keeping?

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

226. Interview With Pat Hartman Jul 25, 2025

Show notes

The Water Colors team is honored to have Pat Hartman join us for an interview in this week’s episode! Our Livebearer Month would not be complete without the contribution of Pat, who is one of the most accomplished aquarists we’ve had the pleasure to sit down with. Pat Hartman has been keeping fish for about 50 years. Although not a founding member, he has been a member of the Southwestern Michigan Aquarium Society (SWMAS) in Kalamazoo, MI since early 1979, and is active with the Grand Valley Aquarium Club (GVAC) in Grand Rapids, MI. In the early 1980’s he developed a special interest in livebearing fishes and rapidly became involved with the American Livebearer Association (ALA) where he served in various capacities including Chairman. Pat has been involved in almost every aspect of the ALA, having won several major Show Awards at the ALA Conventions, participates in the Species Maintenance Program, serves as auctioneer, and has successfully bred over 180 species of livebearers in the ALA Breeder’s Award Program. Pat was also instrumental in the formation of the ALA Vern Parish Fund (VPF) where he continues as Co-Chairman. He is Co-Chair of the ALA Graduate Student Poster Session (GPS).

Today he specializes almost exclusively in wild species of livebearers. Pat was honored by being named “Fellow of the ALA” in 2006. Pat is also active with the North American Goodeid Working Group (NAGWG) and finally made his first trip to Mexico in Nov 2014 for the 4th International Symposium on Viviparous Fishes, along with the GWG Meeting, visit to the Fish Ark, and Collecting Goodeids in the Wild. He made his second trip to Mexico in February 2017 as a part of the first ever NAGWG Goodeid Study Tour, and a third trip to Guadalajara as an invited Speaker at the GWG 2 nd International Convention. He became Chairman of the NAGWG in 2022.

Goodeid Working Group https://www.goodeidworkinggroup.com/
American Livebearer Association https://www.livebearers.org/
- Vern Parish Fund https://www.livebearers.org/research/vern-parish-fund
- Langhammer Fund for Conservation https://www.livebearers.org/research/langhammer-fund

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

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

Water Colors Aquarium Gallery

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected