Episodes
Elacatinus gobies are the perfect nano fish - small, stunning, and regularly captive bred! These awesome cleaner gobies are not obligate cleaners, and therefore work well in a large variety of reef tanks. Join us as we learn about this widespread genus of beautiful neon gobies - from care, to husbandry, to evolution and more. Fishes Discussed in this Episode: - Cayman sponge goby (Elacatinus centralis) - Cayman cleaner goby (Elacatinus cayman) - Shortstripe goby (Elacatinus chancei) - Belize...
Published 03/22/24
Published 03/22/24
Cichlids get too much love... so in this episode, we're discussing our top 5 list from South America - but we're excluding all cichlids! There are so many exciting fishes from South America that get overlooked due to the popularity of SA cichlids. This diverse list includes corydoras, tetras, puffers, killis, and even some unique oddball species. What are your favorites?   Join the discussion on the Water Colors Aquarium Gallery Podcast Listeners Facebook group!...
Published 03/17/24
In this episode, the Water Colors team discusses dottybacks! We take a look at behavior, compatibility, species profiles and more. Charles makes a strong case for why everyone should try keeping dottybacks for themselves. Many of them have stunning colors that you wont get anywhere else, and unique attitudes to match.   Join the discussion on the Water Colors Aquarium Gallery Podcast Listeners Facebook group! https://www.facebook.com/groups/788428861825086/   Enjoying the show? Support...
Published 03/08/24
We're back with another episode answering listener questions! These episodes always receive great feedback, and they are a blast to record. Join the Water Colors team as we answer some fun questions and discuss tips, tricks, and controversies related to our listener's inquiries. Any future questions can be submitted to [email protected]   This episode was recorded live on YouTube! For the full version, check out the link below....
Published 03/01/24
We love discussing aquarium fish, but in reality, this only includes the tiniest fraction of all fish species! In this episode, the Water Colors team discusses their top 5 non-aquarium fishes! From big ocean fish to cold-water trout, we're talking about some of our favorite fish from around the world.   Referenced clips: EVNautilus clip - mola mola EVNautilus clip - stubby squid   Join the discussion on the Water Colors Aquarium Gallery Podcast Listeners Facebook group!...
Published 02/23/24
In this episode, the Water Colors Team breaks down a handful of ways that casual aquarists can use the scientific method to better their aquariums, and better the hobby as a whole. There are plenty of fish keepers that have dabbled in breeding fish, but what do you know about the environments your fish come from? Or their conservation concerns? The evolutionary biology of the fish you love? Let's take a closer look at how we can all be better scientists using our aquariums at home.   Join...
Published 02/16/24
Let's talk about our friend (and enemy) cyanobacteria. Much of the conversation around cyano is about how to eradicate it, but hopefully this discussion will help you look at it a bit differently. This is an incredibly diverse term for many forms of bacteria, some of which have been around for an estimated 4 billion years. This episode should help you understand how to treat cyano, and maybe even how to appreciate it, too.   Join the discussion on the Water Colors Aquarium Gallery Podcast...
Published 02/09/24
In this episode, the Water Colors team questions the ethics of the hobby that we all know and love. We approach fishkeeping different than most businesses in this industry, and with that comes some difficult questions. Why is it okay to keep animals in captivity? What impact does our hobby have on the communities and habitats our fish come from? These are all tough questions that we have no real answers for. We can, however, discuss these issues openly - and encourage positive changes and a...
Published 02/02/24
Regrets? Mistakes? All of the above. The Water Colors Team revisits some of our biggest errors for a special 150th episode. We're not afraid to admit when we slip up - and we greatly appreciate all of the constructive feedback and criticism we've received along the way. Join us as we revisit some 'oopsies' in the long journey of recording 150 episodes of the Water Colors Aquarium Gallery Podcast.   Join the discussion on the Water Colors Aquarium Gallery Podcast Listeners Facebook group!...
Published 01/26/24
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 Gallery Podcast Listeners Facebook group! https://www.facebook.com/groups/788428861825086/   Enjoying...
Published 01/19/24
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://www.facebook.com/groups/788428861825086/   Enjoying the show? Support the gallery by shopping...
Published 01/12/24
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 literature referenced in this episode: Schwarzer, J., Lamboj, A., Langen, K. Bernhard, M. Phylogeny and...
Published 01/05/24
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 clam (Tridacna gigas) - Southern giant clam (Tridacna derasa) - Small giant clam (Tridacna maxima) -...
Published 12/29/23
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. Join us as we live vicariously through his many adventures.   Join the discussion on the Water...
Published 12/22/23
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 Gallery Podcast Listeners Facebook group! https://www.facebook.com/groups/788428861825086/   Shop for great...
Published 12/15/23
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 group! https://www.facebook.com/groups/788428861825086/   Support the show by shopping live plants,...
Published 12/01/23
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, the variety of species available to the hobby, and general care.   Join the discussion on the Water Colors...
Published 11/24/23
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 if the price tag is justified.   Join the discussion on the Water Colors Aquarium Gallery Podcast Listeners Facebook...
Published 11/17/23
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 species, which are often prohibited because they're SO easy that they can thrive in nearly any...
Published 11/10/23
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 with their sale. With input from our invasive species expert, we discuss the criteria used to designate...
Published 11/03/23
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 confident! This episode is all about the overlooked favorites that can become incredible if you take the time to condition...
Published 10/27/23
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 analyze where you stand, as well as your mental wellness, and what keeps you going.   Join the discussion on...
Published 10/20/23
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 may risk angering the Tang Police!   Support the show by shopping merch designed by your hosts! Along...
Published 10/13/23
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 corals and help you improve your reef at home, or even start a brand new project!   Support the...
Published 10/06/23