Water Colors Aquarium Gallery

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 sessions. You can submit your own questions for future episodes to info@watercolorsaquariumgallery.com

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Leaves, cones, seedpods and more! In this episode, the Water Colors team discusses botanicals, and how to use them in your aquariums. There are loads of benefits to adding these to your tank, including antifungal/antibacterial properties, softening or staining water, food for fry, and more! We cover the different varieties available, when to use them, and even some tips and trick on how to forage for your own botanicals.

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Continuing Blackwater Month, we’re back to discuss the Betta coccina complex! This complex contains arguably some of the greatest wild betta species known to the hobby. These are true blackwater gems that come in very small packages! The hosts discuss their native habitats, distribution, captive care, conservation status, and more! We’ll break down the taxonomy associated with this complex, as well as some exciting, newly described species. Have you kept any bettas within the coccina complex?

References used in this episode: https://www.sciencedirect.com/org/science/article/pii/S1313298925001922

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Continuing the blackwater aquarium theme, the hosts discuss their top 5 fish picks that look incredible in stained water. To learn all about blackwater aquariums, refer to our previous episode (254. Intro to Blackwater Aquariums). We cover a wide variety of species native to blackwater environments. Some species are selected due to their striking coloration in these environments, while some are selected due to  amazing breeding behavior stimulated by blackwater. What are your favorite blackwater fish?

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There’s a new trend taking the hobby by storm – blackwater tanks! These aquariums often have a stained appearance, with water resembling tea. They frequently are designed with lots of leaf litter and other botanicals, minimal flow, and little to no aquarium plants. Aside from the visual appearance, these tanks will also have lower pH and hardness, replicating softer water environments where many blackwater fish are found. The hosts discuss these setups in detail, covering design elements, equipment, water chemistry, and many of the fish species that thrive in these environments. How do you feel about blackwater aquariums?

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For as long as aquariums have existed, there have been hobbyists looking for ways to avoid maintenance. From misleading products to “experts” online, there are numerous sources that give hobbyists the false impression that it’s OK to skip water changes completely! In this episode, the Water Colors hosts dispel these myths, while also discussing what scenarios might allow for minimal maintenance setups.

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In this episode, we welcome back Charles to discuss changes and trends in the marine aquarium hobby. Comparing livestock lists through the years, the hosts make note of species that have fallen out of favor, changed in price, or become unavailable altogether. Through this discussion, we make some predictions about the future of the marine fishkeeping hobby and how our choices may impact the trajectory of the aquarium industry as a whole.

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In this episode, the Water Colors team discusses guppy strains and the history associated with some of the famous strains we all know and love. Guppies are one of the oldest, most well-known fish in the hobby – with many aquarists beginning their journeys by keeping guppy tanks. Through selective breeding, we’ve developed a variety of amazing strains. The possibilities are endless!

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As we move into the new year, we celebrate our 250th episode by reminiscing on 2025. We had some monumental accomplishments this past year, including many amazing podcast guests, an extremely successful batch of baby bamboo sharks, and the astounding growth of our podcast community! We want to take a moment to thank everyone for following along and supporting our mission. We wrap up this episode by brainstorming new goals for 2026. This episode is dedicated to Splash, the greatest shop dog we could have ever asked for.

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In this exciting episode, we have two celebrity guests in the studio to discuss their personal fish room builds! Mike Monje and Craig Forist share details about their own fish rooms at home, as well as some secrets to help you build your own dream workspace. The hosts and guests share some great accomplishments, tank disasters, and tips and tricks for creating the most efficient and effective fish rooms. What does your dream work space look like?

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In this episode, the Water Colors team discusses their top 5 favorite fish that are not safe to keep with coral. The average reef aquarium in 2026 has a variety of mixed corals. Many of the most interesting fish in the aquarium trade are unsafe to keep with corals. This means there’s a whole world of fun and unique species that get overlooked, simply because they’re not compatible with the average reef tank. Many of the species mentioned in this episode will eat corals, but that doesn’t mean they don’t have a place in the hobby! What are your...

We all love bettas, but what other anabantoids need some time in the spotlight? In this episode, the Water Colors team discusses their top 5 species from the suborder anabantoidei. This includes many beloved fish such as gouramis, paradisefish, badis, and even channa! Discussions include native habitats, captive care, breeding reports, and more! What’re your favorite anabantoids?

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In this episode, the Water Colors team takes a trip back in time. The early aquarium hobby has some fascinating origins, some good and some not so good. Much of what we know about aquariums has changed through the years, but one thing remains constant – people are enamored with fish. In this discussion, we’ll go through some of the earliest fish species to be imported and kept in the US, as well as aquarium styles, equipment, and care through the years. Do you own any retro aquariums?

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In this episode, the Water Colors Team discusses their top 5 aquarium plants found in Africa! When in comes to plant diversity, Africa is hard to beat! Some of our absolute favorites come from this region. This discussion revolves around our favorite species, their native ranges, care, and more! If you’re interested in designing a biotope to this region, this episode is a great place to start! What are your favorite African plants?

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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 common name alone. Each turn, they can score points by correctly naming the genus and species. 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...

Once again, we are joined by our good friend and algae expert Dr. Jordyn Stoll! In this episode, we narrow down our focus and discuss ornamental marine algae, sometimes referred to as macroalgae. Aquascapes utilizing ornamental algae often resemble planted aquariums, and share some similarities, yet the species used in macroalgae tanks span across multiple kingdoms and can vary vastly in care. We’ll discuss some of the common varieties and attempt to categorize them, while also sharing our experience with obtaining and growing different species. Have you ever kept a macroalgae tank?

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In this new episode format, the Water Colors team sits down to discuss the current display aquariums within our store in Grand Rapids, Michigan! The display tanks in our gallery serve as examples to inspire others. The staff will take turns designing and maintaining the various show tanks across the store. In this discussion, we’ll go in-depth on all the setups, including the dimensions, equipment, stocking, and more! From nano planted paludariums, to massive reef tanks, we’ve got a diverse array of aquariums you are sure to love!

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In this episode, the Water Colors Team sits down to discuss corallimorphs, or the cnidarians within the order corallimorpharia. This includes fun species from the genera discosoma, rhodactus, ricordea, and more! We discuss some of the available varieties in the aquarium trade and their care, as well as some other unique species that aquarists don’t typically see! Which corallimorphs are your favorite?

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For this Halloween episode, we asked our listeners, friends, and fellow hobbyists to share their spookiest aquarium horror stories. We received some shocking tales about aquarium-related injuries, losses, and more. We hope by sharing these experiences, we can all learn from the tragedies and discuss how to prevent future disasters. What’s your scariest aquarium story?

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Once again, we are joined by our good friend and algae expert Dr. Jordyn Stoll! In this episode, we attempt to tackle the complicated world of marine algae, but quickly find that this topic warrants multiple episodes. The tricky nature of discussing saltwater algae sends our hosts off on dozens of tangents, to no surprise. From ornamental macroalgae to pesky nuisance algae, join us as we learn just how complicated this topic can be! Special thanks to Jordyn for joining us on this fun episode!

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In this episode, we welcome a good friend of the store in for an interview! Craig Forist is an accomplished aquarist with an impressive background in the aquarium hobby. He is the president of two aquarium clubs, an active BAP competitor, and most recently – the proud owner of a trio of epaulette sharks. We sit down with Craig and hear all about his aquarium experiences, from early inspirations, to the founding of a brand new saltwater club (West Michigan Marine Aquarium Society). Join us as we discuss aquarium clubs, fish rooms, epaulette sharks, and more!

The 55 gal aquarium is a notoriously disliked tank, with many hobbyists avoiding it like the plague. At 48″ long, 13″ wide, and 20″ tall, it can be a very limiting tank to work with! Despite it’s reputation, it’s still a frequently sold model. In this episode, the Water Colors team discusses their top 3 concepts surrounding the dreaded 55gal tank. We have some very unique suggestions that may inspire you to try one out yourself!

Join the discussion on the Water Colors Aquarium Gallery Podcast Listeners Facebook group! https://www.facebook.com/groups/788428861825086/

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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 sessions. You can submit your own questions for future episodes to info@watercolorsaquariumgallery.com

Join the discussion on the Water Colors Aquarium Gallery Podcast Listeners Facebook group! https://www.facebook.com/groups/788428861825086/

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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?

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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/

En...

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...

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...

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 fa...

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?

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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/

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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...

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 dr...

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 develo...

Continuing Livebearer Month, the Water Colors team is back to discuss wild-type live bearing fishes! This includes the family poeciliidae, and the tricky taxonomy that comes with it. Some species within poeciliidae are common staples in the aquarium hobby, while many of them are virtually unknown to hobbyists. Aquarists that specialize in livebearing fish have more than a few rare species to dream about! Which species have you kept?

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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 fringes of the Pacific coast, and north to Central Durango, Central Sinaloa, and North San Luis Potosí. The second sub family, empetrichthyinae, is found in the southwestern Great Basin in Nevada. Many of these species are rare and difficult to find, adding to the all...

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 and elusive to this day. Which species have you kept? Which varieties would you love to track down?

Join the discussion on the Water Colors Aquarium Gallery Podcast Listeners Facebook group! https://www.facebo...

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 sessions. You can submit your own questions for future episodes to info@watercolorsaquariumgallery.com

Join the discussion on the Water Colors Aquarium Gallery Podcast Listeners Facebook group! https://www.facebook.com/groups/788428861825086/

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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 hexacorallia are your favorites?

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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?

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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! https://www.facebook.com/groups/788428861825086/

Enjoying the show? Support the gallery by shopping aquarium plants, merch, equipment, and more! https://watercolorsaquariumgallery.com/