Water Colors Aquarium Gallery

Continuing Livebearer month, the Water Colors team is discussing goodeids! They belong to the order cyprinodontiformes , the suborder cyprinodontoidei , and the family goodeidae . This family is split into two sub families. The first, goodeinae, are endemic to shallow freshwater habitats in Mexico – particularly along the Mesa Central area. Additionally, some species are found in brackish fr...

To start off our official livebearer month, we’re discussing the genus xiphophorus ! This group of fish is near and dear to us, and many other aquarists alike. The genus is divided into 3 categories  – northern swordtails, southern swordtails, and platies. Many hobbyists have kept common swordtails and platys in some of their very first aquariums, and yet some species still remain rare...

We’re back with one of our favorite episode formats – answering listener submitted questions! These episodes are livestreamed at the time of recording on our YouTube channel – consider joining our YouTube membership for access to weekly livestreamed episodes! There is never a shortage of great questions and topics to kickstart some interesting conversations on these recording ses...

In this episode, the Water Colors team breaks down the class hexacorallia , and the 5 orders within it. This class is distinct in that the species within it are typically identified by having 6 or fewer axes of symmetry. Many of the species within hexacorallia are what hobbyists know as ‘stony corals’. Interestingly, also included are anemones and zoanthids! Which varieties of hexacora...

In this episode, the Water Colors Team discusses soft corals, specifically, those in the class octocorallia . We attempt to breakdown the taxonomy, care, and accessibility of the many varieties within this class. Octocorallia contains over 3000 species, and can generally be identified by the 8-fold symmetry of the colonial polyps. What are your favorite soft corals to keep?   Join the discuss...

This episode is all about the random stuff we use in our aquariums! From DIY lids to PVC hides, we discuss a number of odds and ends that can be extremely useful for your aquariums – they might even save you some money, too! What non-aquarium products have made it into your fish tank toolbox?   Join the discussion on the Water Colors Aquarium Gallery Podcast Listeners Facebook group! ht...

In this episode, the Water Colors team reacts blindly to stories from around the internet compiled by the editor. This includes forum posts, news stories, and more! These posts range from tragic to funny, and everything in between. Many of them will kick off some valuable discussions surrounding misinformation or just plain bad advice. Keep in mind that stories found online may not always be accur...

In this episode, the water colors team welcomes not one, but TWO special guests to join in on the fun! We’re happy to be joined again by aquatic ecologist Jordyn Stoll, as well as long time friend of the store and Victorian cichlid guru Justin Sarns! With the help of the experts, we discuss Lake Victorian cichlids, travel stories, and general ecology. Victoria is Africa’s largest lake...

We often see hobbyists who are fixated on “bad ass” fish. Sometimes they’re looking for big, aggressive cichlids, other times they may be looking for toothy predators like pike cichlids. In this episode, the Water Colors team discusses a variety of “bad ass” fish chosen by Ben and how one might keep them responsibly. Spoiler alert: some of these fish are best left to...

Maintenance breeding, conservation breeding, inbreeding, and outbreeding – what does it all mean? Charles returns to the podcast to discuss selective breeding and population genetics. It’s important to consider these concepts when taking on any breeding projects. Join us as we take a deep dive!   Join the discussion on the Water Colors Aquarium Gallery Podcast Listeners Facebook g...

In this episode, the Water Colors team discusses their favorite soft corals. We have loosely categorized soft corals using the hobby’s distinctions, but keep in mind this is not based on any scientific classifications. Corals in this category are often very easy to keep, many of which propagate very quickly in home aquariums. They are often more forgiving, making them great additions to reef...

In this interview, the Water Colors Team chats with special guest Dr. Jordyn Stoll, an accomplished aquatic ecologist with an expertise in algae! Jordyn’s formal interest in aquatic ecology began during her undergraduate work at Cleveland State University, where she helped with research using diatom fossils to understand changes in lake conditions over time. From there, she pursued a PhD at...

Here at Water Colors, one of the most common topics we get asked about is “what’s wrong with my betta?” Bettas are one of the most commonly kept fish, so it makes sense that we hear about a lot of betta issues. But why are they so prone to problems? In this livestreamed episode, the Water Colors team discusses the common issues with bettas, the possible causes, and our recommende...

Lake Tanganyika is home to an astounding diversity of fish, nearly 350 endemic species! This makes narrowing down a top 5 list extremely challenging! In this episode, the Water Colors team discusses their favorite species that reside in Africa’s second largest lake, as well as their care, behavior, and availability in the hobby. Some of the species mentioned include small goby cichlids, whil...

In this research-heavy episode, the Water Colors team discusses various aquascaping styles and how they differ. The history of aquascaping goes back nearly 100 years, with the earliest competitive style originating in the Netherlands. All of the various categories branch off from each other, with some similarities shared across the board. Biotope, Brazilian, jungle, and nature style – the li...

To wrap up our official Killifish Month, the Water Colors team welcomes Dave Hemmerlein as a special guest! Dave is a lifelong hobbyist, killifish expert, and 40+ year aquarium club member. He is active in both the Michiana Aquarium Society and the Southwest Michigan Aquarium Society. We are honored to have Dave join us for an interview, where he shares his diverse experience in keeping, breeding,...

To continue Killifish Month, the Water Colors team is back to discuss dirt-spawning killis! These varieties of killifish spawn in or over substrate. Hobbyists often use small containers of bark or peat to encourage this breeding behavior. Many of these varieties of killifish are incredibly easy to keep, and can be remarkably beautiful. The team discusses species profiles, care, and shares stories...

To continue Killifish month, the Water Colors team is back to discuss mop-spawning killifish! This distinction is given to killifish species that breed in moss/plant mats, which aquarists often replicate with yarn “mops” that are easily removed and combed for eggs. They make excellent project fish and are incredibly adaptable to various temperatures and parameters. They can be kept in...

To kick off killifish month, the Water Colors team is discussing biotope examples based around some of our favorite killifish! These examples focus on the native habitats of these killifish species. Some examples include specifics such as tank size, substrate, plants, decor, and other tankmates. We have biotope examples from all around the world, replicating lakes, rivers, vernal pools, and even r...

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! Ple...

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 f...

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 practi...

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, lith...

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 int...

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 questio...