Water Colors Aquarium Gallery

Latest Episodes:

205. Mantis Shrimp Feb 28, 2025

Show notes

In this highly requested episode, the Water Colors team discusses mantis shrimp from the order stomatopoda. These organisms are some of the most fascinating, interactive, and beautiful pets you can keep in your home aquariums! We cover general care advice, species overviews, and even some fun first-hand stories. This topic is sure to get you interested in keeping a mantis shrimp of your own! Please see below for the link to ‘Roy L. Caldwell’s List of Stomatopods for the Aquarium,’ which was heavily referenced in this episode!

For all species mentioned and more, visit: https://ucmp.berkeley.edu/arthropoda/crustacea/malacostraca/eumalacostraca/royslist/index.html

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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204. Trout Unlimited: Conservation in the Classroom Feb 21, 2025

Show notes

In this special episode, the Water Colors team is joined by representatives from Schrems West Michigan Trout Unlimited chapter (SWMTU). With the expertise of chapter president Nick Garlock and education coordinator Dave Helder, we discuss coldwater conservation and the Salmon in the Classroom (SIC) program. It’s no secret that we here at Water Colors have an appreciation for fish that goes far beyond aquariums. We recognize there is a significant overlap between sportsmen and aquarists, which leads us to discuss how Trout Unlimited’s conservation efforts relate to the aquarium industry. Special thanks to our friends at SWMTU for joining us on this episode!

If you would like to support Trout Unlimited, you can visit the local chapter’s website at https://swmtu.org/

To learn more about Salmon in the Classroom, visit https://www.michigan.gov/dnr/education/educators/sic

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

203. Invasive Crayfish with Dr. Brian Roth Feb 14, 2025

Show notes

In this episode, the Water Colors team is joined by invasive crayfish expert Dr. Brian Roth. Brian is a fish ecologist and faculty member at Michigan State University’s Department of Fish and Wildlife. His expertise helps us discuss the hazards of invasive crayfish, as well as the aquarium industry’s role in their introduction. Brian provides valuable insight into the management practices used to study and control these pesky invaders. To learn more about invasive crayfish and their impact on the Great Lakes ecosystems, visit https://www.canr.msu.edu/resources/great-lakes-almanac-to-invasive-crayfish

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

202. Rheophytes, Epiphytes and More Feb 07, 2025

Show notes

In this episode, the Water Colors team discusses plants that grow on structures, such as hardscape elements, as opposed to those that root directly in substrate. Classifying these types of plants can be tricky! We have most commonly used the term epiphyte, but it turns out this is more of a hobbyist classification rather than a scientific one. Rheophytes, epiphytes, microphytes, macrophytes, lithophytes – the list goes on and on! These terms all describe plant growth on different mediums, therefore, using one term to describe them all is inaccurate. Join us as we attempt to breakdown this terminology and make the classification of plants more confusing than ever! In the words of one of our listeners, “We don’t talk about ‘-phyte’ club!”

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:

Bucephalandra ‘Kedagang’
Bucephalandra ‘Ultramafica’
Bucephalandra ‘Catherine’
Bolbitis heudelotii
Fissidens fontanus
Narrow leaf java fern, ‘microsorm pteropus’
Hygrophila pinnatafida
Dicranopygium sp. ‘Guna Yala’
Anubias barteri nana ‘petite’
Anubias hastifolia
Anubias frazeri
Anubias afzelii
Süßwassertang

201. Listener Questions January 2025 (Part 2) Jan 24, 2025

Show notes

For our 200th episode of the WCAG podcast, we are celebrating with a Listener Questions special! (This is part 2, please listen to the previous episode to catch part 1 of our Listener Questions Special!) In this format, the Water Colors team blindly answers listener-submitted questions read off by the editor. We have some incredible listeners with a broad range of experience levels and varying interests. As a result, we always end up with some fun, thought-provoking, and sometimes controversial questions! These ‘Listener Questions’ episodes are recorded live, with a free stream available on YouTube for your enjoyment. All other episodes are also recorded live, but the livestreams are typically only accessible to our YouTube members. If you enjoy this content, consider joining our membership!

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

200. Listener Questions January 2025 (Part 1) Jan 17, 2025

Show notes

For our 200th episode of the WCAG podcast, we are celebrating with a Listener Questions special! In this format, the Water Colors team blindly answers listener-submitted questions read off by the editor. We have some incredible listeners with a broad range of experience levels and varying interests. As a result, we always end up with some fun, thought-provoking, and sometimes controversial questions! These ‘Listener Questions’ episodes are recorded live, with a free stream available on YouTube for your enjoyment. All other episodes are also recorded live, but the livestreams are typically only accessible to our YouTube members. If you enjoy this content, consider joining our membership!

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

199. Freshwater Chemistry Jan 10, 2025

Show notes

We often encounter hobbyists who are furiously trying to adjust their pH, GH, or dKH based on something they read online. In this episode, we hope to dispel some myths about chasing parameters, and breakdown when and why you should make adjustments! Fish are surprisingly adaptable to varying conditions. Often, the fluctuations that come with chasing certain parameters can be more detrimental to your livestock than simply allowing them to adjust to your current conditions. With the help of our studio audience, let’s dive into some freshwater chemistry 101!

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

198. SPS Corals Dec 27, 2024

Show notes

The term “SPS” Corals, or small polyp stony corals, is a hobbyist distinction used to help differentiate care requirements of coral species in the reef keeping hobby. It’s a completely arbitrary label that has no scientific basis, but is very useful when discussing how to care for similar coral species. In this episode, Ben and Calder discuss many varieties of SPS corals, including species overviews, care requirements, and even a little myth-busting. Everyone can grow SPS corals with a little research and preparation, even YOU!

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

197. Reacting to Aquarium Stories from Around the Internet (Part 2) Dec 20, 2024

Show notes

In this new episode format, the Water Colors team is blindly reacting to aquarium stories told by the editor. The topics range from shocking horror stories, to tank disasters, and even aquarium crimes! There is never a shortage of ridiculous posts in aquarium forums – so if you like this content, be sure to let your hosts know! All posts referenced in this episode will be linked 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

Online stories referenced in this episode:

The Huma Huma question: https://forums.reefcentral.com/threads/how-rare-is-this.873052/page-77
The Nemo and Dory question: https://forums.reefcentral.com/threads/opinions-please.32376702/
The fallacy of jumping fish: https://forums.reefcentral.com/threads/on-fish-jumping-and-the-fallacy-of-observation.1963748/
Tanked show: https://forums.reefcentral.com/threads/tanked-the-show%E2%80%A6-i-have-questions%E2%80%A6.32372965/
Dispar anthias not eating: https://forums.reefcentral.com/threads/anthias-dying-one-by-one.1949005/
Do I need hermit crabs? https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/do-i-need-hermits-ready-to-drop-kick-all-of-em.23456/
Stealing bettas https://www.reddit.com/r/bettafish/s/lJvvKZOss9
Otters broke into my house and ate 2 Japanese koi https://www.reddit.com/r/Aquariums/s/QhcmkyfWEp
Neighbor put active fish tank on curb for trash pickup: https://www.reddit.com/r/mildlyinfuriating/s/LbgAHWTjyO
Wonder shell magic aquarium product: https://www.reddit.com/r/AquariumMemes/s/WWGX8CdHba
Releasing goldfish: https://www.reddit.com/r/Goldfish/s/PDWecWQcWs

196. Top 5 Fish Behaviors Dec 13, 2024

Show notes

From color changing, to art making, and even singing, we are constantly surprised by the amazing behaviors of fish – both in nature and in our aquariums. In this episode, the Water Colors team discusses their top 5 favorite behaviors exhibited by fish. Some of these are easy to witness in your home tanks, such as parental care, while others happen in the open ocean and have yet to be replicated in aquariums. Let’s take a deep dive into the amazing world of fish behavior!

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:

White spotted puffer, torquigener albomaculosus
Genus Geophagus
Genus Xenotilapia
Diamond sleeper goby, valenciennea puellaris
Hector’s goby, koumansetta hectori
Watchman goby, cryptocentrus cinctus
Genus hypoplectrus
Parachromis dovii
Hyposophrys nicaraguensis
Neetroplus nematopus
Betta albimarginata
Cuckoo catfish, synodontis multipunctutus
Genus campostoma
Genus nocomis
Genus semotilus
White cloud mountain minnow, tanichthys albonubes
Genus cirrhilabrus, Fairy and Flasher wrasses
Garra rufa
Cleaner wrasse, labroides dimidiatus
Cleaner goby, Elacatinus oceanops

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