Water Colors Aquarium Gallery

In this episode the Water Colors team makes a top 5 list of their favorite freshwater fishes from Asia. How hard can it be to narrow down our top 5 fish from the largest continent on Earth? From loaches, to gobies, to danios, and more. This diverse list covers a variety of fish, some of which may even fit into your existing tanks at home.   Join the discussion on the Water Colors Aquarium Gal...

The Water Colors team revisits a fun topic, mobile ornamental invertebrates in saltwater aquaria. This list ranges from functional add-ons to your clean up crew, to rare and unusual inverts that require dedicated setups. Join us as we discuss some fun shrimps, snails, cephalopods, and more!   Join the discussion on the Water Colors Aquarium Gallery Podcast Listeners Facebook group! https://ww...

The Water Colors team joins Charles as he discusses some of the fishes from the tribe Chromidotilapiini; specifically Pelvicachromis and a few related genera. This topic is one that Charles has researched intently, so buckle up for a deep dive! From care, to husbandry, to conservation efforts, and threats to native populations – this episode cover a wide array of related topics. Primary lite...

This episode, is all about clams in the subfamily Tridacninae.  Photosynthetic clams look stunning and otherworldly, yet their physiology is even more fascinating than their appearance. The Water Colors team covers a wide array of related topics; including the history of clam aquaculture, a brief overview of care, and a handful of species profiles. Species Discussed in this Episode: – Giant...

In this special episode, the Water Colors team hangs out with pioneering aquarist and collector, Gary Lange, as he discusses some of his adventures in decades of fish keeping, collecting, and travel. Gary is a long standing member of the Missouri Aquarium Society (MASI), founder of the Rainbowfish Study Group of North America (RSG), and is responsible for importing 8 new species of rainbowfish. Jo...

The official Water Colors guide on how to buy gifts for the aquarists in your life! Feel free to shamelessly send this podcast to your friends and family for gift ideas. From equipment, to merch, to quality of life upgrades – here is a top 5 list of great gifts for the fish people in your life. What would you like to get as a gift?   Join the discussion on the Water Colors Aquarium Gall...

Switching gears in this episode – a few staff members discuss their favorite things about working at Water Colors. The work environment Ben has created in the shop is special, and we feel fortunate to be a part. Let us know your thoughts on this behind the scenes look into the Water Colors work space.   Join the discussion on the Water Colors Aquarium Gallery Podcast Listeners Facebook...

Who doesn’t love an anemone and clownfish combo? In this episode, the Water Colors team has a very open ended discussion on anemones in home aquaria. This topic is difficult from a taxonomy stand point – and we are the first to admit; there is far more we DON’T know about anemones, than we DO know. That being said, Ben, Amy, and Charles discuss some common issues with anemones, t...

We’ve all seen outrageously expensive fish while shopping at local fish stores. What makes a pricey fish “worth it?” This episode’s discussion is all about splurges, and how rarity and accessibility drive cost of some unique fish to astronomical levels. With a special guest, Ben, Amy, and Charles pitch their top 5 picks for rare and expensive freshwater fish, and determine...

Sometimes, planted aquariums can be hard. But worry no more, because the Water Colors team is here to discuss their easiest plant picks! Some of the species in this episode are even easier to keep than plastic plants! From species that can grow under a desk lamp, to others that can thrive in blue plastic gravel, this list has got you covered. Also mentioned in this podcast are some illegal plant s...

The Water Colors team, with special guest Dr. Alisha Davidson, discuss the potential for harm as a result of the sale and distribution of several floating plants in the aquarium trade. Some very common plants in our hobby pose a huge risk to our native waterways if mishandled. Water lettuce, water hyacinth, salvinia, and more – all are species of concern in regards to the risk associated wit...

Let’s face it – some of the most beautiful fish look plain and boring at your local fish store. It’s not until you bring them home, condition them, and spoil them, that they truly shine. Some species go from brown and dull to bright and illuminating in the right conditions! Others are shy and evasive, until you allow them to settle in at home and suddenly they’re bold and c...

Learn all about your hosts in this intimate, deep dive episode! This topic takes a different tone than our typical discussions. In this episode, we discuss Ben, Amy, and Charles’ backgrounds, philosophies, and current standings in the hobby that we all love (most of the time). When you become so invested in an industry such as this, it’s important to occasionally take a step back and a...

In this episode, we’re talking about fish from the family acanthuridae ! This discussion is an overarching tutorial on the 6 different genera, as well as some of the species you may encounter in the aquarium hobby. Everyone seems to think they need a tang in their reef tank, but they are frequently kept in undersized aquariums. Be sure to study up on the requirements for each species, or you...

The term LPS corals, or large polyp stony corals, is a hobbyist classification used to try to categorize coral species based on care and needs. This episode is all about our favorite LPS coral species, as well as how to care for them. Growing coral can be scary, and buying some of your own can be a real investment. From this discussion, we hope to demystify some of the care requirements of LPS cor...

Stem plants are a very general hobbyist classification of aquarium plants comprised of a huge variety of species. They range from incredibly easy to very demanding and difficult. We can observe a great variation of growth from these plants depending on their environment, which makes them useful for both decoration and utility. In this episode, the team discusses their top 5 species and how to care...

Freshwater shrimp make an excellent addition to many aquariums, or better yet, a huge multi-generational colony all on their own! There are many varieties and colors, and they can be some of the most effective organisms in your clean-up crew. The Water Colors team breaks down how to care for some popular shrimp species, as well as some rare ones, and dispels some myths surrounding their care. &nbs...

Some of the most exciting and diverse fish in the world come from South America, and we definitely have our favorites! In this episode, the Water Colors Team discusses our top 5 SA cichlids – as well as why they make our list, and how you can keep them at home! From eartheaters to pike cichlids, we’ll discuss some of the coolest species of fish to come out of this biologically rich reg...

The concept of biotypic aquariums is rarely, if ever, replicated in the reef hobby. While biotopes are common amongst freshwater hobbyists, the reef community seems to be lacking in this domain. In this episode, the Water Colors team discusses many different reef habitats, and how variable they can be. Salinity, current, and nutrient load can change dramatically even across the course of a day. Th...

In this episode, Ben hosts with a series of questions about the hobby’s perceptions; with special guest Johnathon Butkus! We often notice trends or generalities in the aquarium hobby. Ben aims to dissect these opinions and start a discussion on hobby perceptions by questioning Amy, Charles, Johnathon, and the Water Colors team.   Join the discussion on the Water Colors Aquarium Gallery...

This week’s podcast is a long requested episode: a thorough guide to common freshwater fish diseases. Here at Water Colors we’ve helped and dealt with a huge variety of  illnesses and related problems, and in this podcast we hope to dispel some myths and share some helpful advice for diagnosing and treating potential diseases.   If you have questions or comments related to this ep...

In this episode, the Water Colors Team answers questions submitted by the gallery staff! Our team members hold nothing back, and ask some hard hitting questions. Some of these even spark some great debates, as well as ideas for future podcast topics!

This episode is dedicated to the hottest fish around! The Water Colors team lists their top 5 aquarium fish that like it hot,  we’re talking 85 degrees F (29 C) and up! This can be useful information for those who keep warm water species and need good tank mates, or for those that live in very hot climates.   Shop Water Colors merch, plants, aquarium supplies and more: https://watercolo...

In this episode, the team is revisiting the famous rift lakes of Africa to rank their top 5 Rift Lake cichlids! These are some of the most well known and unique aquatic ecosystems known to the aquarium hobby. With such a large selection of fish present, how could you possibly narrow them down to pick 5?   Join the discussion of the Water Colors Aquarium Gallery Podcast Listeners page on Faceb...

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 Pa...