Water Colors Aquarium Gallery

By Water Colors Aquarium GalleryScience Leisure Kids & Family Hobbies Nature Pets & Animals

Water Colors Aquarium Gallery episodes

October 09 287. Aquatic Insects (Bugs)
This week on the Water Colors Aquarium Gallery Podcast, we got a little weird and had a lot of fun. Since Ben wasn’t here, we got to talk about what we wanted and this time it was aquatic insects. Calder takes the lead and talks about many different types of bugs that could and should be part of the aquarium hobby. From diving beetles to dragonfly nymphs, there are many great options for that spare five gallon tank you have lying around, just be sure to have a tight fitting lid.

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Sources mentioned in this episode:
AMAZONAS Magazine – https://www.amazonasmagazine.com/
Bug Guide – https://www.bugguide.net/node/view/15740
iNaturalist – https://www.inaturalist.org/
Benthic Macroinvertebrates Survey – https://www.epa.gov/national-aquatic-resource-surveys/indicators-benthic-macroinvertebrates
Species mentioned in this episode:
Orders:
Odonata – Dragonflies, Damselflies, etc.
Coleoptera – Beetles
Hetetoptera – Stink bugs, Assasin bugs, Water Striders, Giant Water Bugs, etc.
Tenodera sinensis – Chinese Mantis
Anax junius – Common Green Darner Dragonfly
Thermonectus marmoratus – Sunburst Diving Beetle
Darner Dragonflies
Skimmer Dragonflies
Diving Beetle
Aquarius remigis – Water striders
Dytiscidae – Predaceous Diving Beetle
Elytra
Dytiscus marginalis – Great Diving Beetle
Cybister fimbriolatus – Fringed Diving Beetle
Gyrinidae – Whirligig beetles
Belostomatidae – Giant Water Bugs
Lethocerus americanus – Giant Water Bug
Ranatra fusca – Brown Water Scorpion
Hellgrammite – Dobsonfly larvae
Notonectidae – Back swimmers
Corixidae – Water Boatman
Dolomedes – Fishing Spiders
Argyroneta aquatica – Diving Bell Spider
Terminology mentioned in this episode:
Ootheca – a hardened, foam-like egg case produced by certain insects—most notably praying mantises and cockroaches—to protect their developing eggs
Eclosion – biological term for when an insect hatches from an egg or emerges from its pupal case as an adult
Stridulation – the act of producing a high-pitched, creaking, or chirping sound by rubbing specialized body parts together; one structure acts as a “scraper” or plectrum (a sharp ridge, lip, or set of pegs), while the other acts as a “file” or stridulitrum (a finely-ridged surface)
1 hr 48 min
October 02 286. Blennies
Amy, Ben, and Calder talk about blennies and, boy, was there a lot to say and how they could have gone on for hours. With 6 families, approximately 130 genera and 900 species and counting, there is a lot of information in this week’s podcast. Blennies have amazing personality, colors, and adaptations. Let us know what blennies you have in your aquariums now and tell us about the ones you wish you could too!

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Sources mentioned in this episode:
Live Aquaria – https://www.liveaquaria.com/?srsltid=AU7gw4VM5elUthzXzVaptIEeesFCcAlnX6rTtZrbd0OMDCXs4Y8EzNFb
Fish Base – https://www.fishbase.se/search.php
Seriously Fish – https://www.seriouslyfish.com/

Species mentioned in this episode:
Order: Blenniiformes
Sub-family: Blenniinae
Meiacanthus – Fang Blennies
Meiacanthus grammistes – Striped Blenny
Meiacanthus kamoharai – Kamohara Blenny
Meiacanthus nigrolineatus – Blackline Fangblenny
Meiacanthus oualanensis – Canary Blenny
Meiacanthus atrodorsalis – Forktail Blenny
Meiacanthus smithi – Disco Blenny
Meiacanthus mossambicus – Mozambique Blenny
Meiacanthus bundoon – Bundoon Blenny
Plagiotremus – Cleaner Wrasse (Labroides and others) Mimics
Plagiotremus tapeinosoma – Piano Fangblenny
Plagiotremus rhinorhynchos – Bluestriped Fangblenny
Plagiotremus ewaensis – Ewa Fangblenny
Plagiotremus azaleus – Sabertooth Blenny
Aspidontus – Fang Blenny (Meiacanthus) Mimics
Xiphasia – Snake Blennies
Ecsenius – Clown Blenny
Ecsenius gravieri – Red Sea Mimic Blenny
Ecsenius namiyei – Black Combtooth Blenny
Ecsenius stigmatura – Tailspot Blenny
Ecsenius bicolor – Bicolor Blenny
Ecsenius midas – Midas Blenny
Other – Miscellaneous Genera
Enchelyurus flavipes – Flametail Blenny
Petroscirtes mitratus – Floral Blenny
Exallias brevis – Leopard Blenny
Blenniella chrysospilos – Orange Spotted Blenny
Scartella cristata – Molly Miller Blenny
Hypleurochilus pseudoaequipinnis – Alantic Oyster Blenny
Sub-family: Salariinae
Salarias ramosus – Starry Blenny
Salarias fasciatus – Lawnmower Blenny
Sub-family: Chaenopsidae
Acanthemblemaria balanorum – Clubhead Barnacle Blenny
Acanthemblemaria paula – Dwarf Spinyhead Blenny
1 hr 30 min
September 25 285. Blackwater Plants (Low Light and Low PH)
Blackwater is a term thrown around in the aquarium hobby and has many different meanings. Blackwater can mean heavily stained, tannic water, or it can mean water that is soft and acidic that receives little light. Today, the team focuses more so on the second definition, referencing environments such as the Rio Negro in South America and plants that grow well in these unique places. Special thanks to Craig this episode for filling in last minute for Calder. We appreciate your adaptiveness and scientific background.
Craig’s Amendments:
Because I had such a limited amount of time to get my research and can’t leave an incorrect stance out there, I have a couple of items as “corrections”. The leaves aren’t breaking down they are getting washed away. Fungus, bacteria and shredders are all inhibited by the low pH as we had previously agreed on.
After digging into the other underwater flowering plant it was actually Utricularia australis that I skipped because it was covered with all of the carnivorous plants that was my other underwater flowering plant not the nymphaea.
I also went and found a bug bat sarracenia. This is a hybrid but has been reproduced locally by being outside during the summer and brought into a semi heated green house during the winter.
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/394784938_Hydrological_and_ecological_drivers_of_leaf_retention_under_urbanization_in_a_Central_Amazon_Headwater_stream?fbclid=IwY2xjawUiNeRleHRuA2FlbQIxMABwZG9mBWJyaWQRMUN4aVk5OGdoSHZxdFZBa2tzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEerNOwnXRyKwZUSll1oHIUDxLD7NtHwG9wpnHyw_xqQOCSLShtzciHG_cZJMk_aem_n0ixAkB8Ynf4D-LmXrxliQ
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Join our growing community on Discord! https://go.watercolors.shop/discord

Sources mentioned in this episode:
Christel Kasselmann – https://www.instagram.com/christel.kasselmann/?hl=en
Karen Randall – https://www.sunkengardens.net/
Aquatic Gardeners Association – https://www.aquatic-gardeners.org/
Species mentioned in this episode:
Bucephalandra
Echinodorus grisebachii
Echinodorus ‘Altlandsberg’
Helanthium quadricostatus
Helanthium tenellum
Helanthium bolivianum
Helanthium angustifolium
Barclaya longifolia
Cryptocoryne × purpurea (Cryptocoryne cordata × Cryptocoryne griffithii)
Cryptocoryne siamensis or Cryptocoryne blassii
Cryptocoryne alba
Cryptocoryne nurii
Cryptocoryne striolata
Cryptocoryne pontederiifolia
Cryptocoryne wendtii
Cryptocoryne undulata
Cryptocoryne lucens
Cryptocoryne lutea
Cryptocoryne beckettii
Cryptocoryne beckettii ‘Petchii’
Cryptocoryne parva
Eleocharis acicularis
Eleocharis montevidensis
Sarracenia leucophylla
Pinguicula – “Pim”
Utricularia australis
Nepenthes
Drosera – “Sundew”
Plagiochilaceae sp. “Cameroon”
Microsorum pteropus ‘Needle Leaf’
Nymphaea nouchali
Nymphaea lotus
Nymphaea dimorpha
Poecilia picta
Syngonanthus sp. ‘La Lindosa’
Eriocaulon lineare
Eriocaulon sp. ‘Feather Duster’
Anubias barteri
Anubias barteri var. coffeefolia
Tonina fluviatilis
Bolbitis heteroclita
Bolbitis heteroclita ‘Difformis’
Cabomba caroliniana var. ‘pulcherrima’
Cabomba furcata
Proserpinaca palustris
Phyllanthus fluitans
Lomariopsis lineata – Süsswassertang
1 hr 28 min
September 22 284. Freshwater Gobies
Amy, Ben and Calder are here this week to talk about freshwater gobies. This group of fish is so diverse, unique and goofy. There is definetly a species of goby out there for you. For the meantime, tune in and listen to the team talk about some of their favorites!

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Names and Resources coming soon.
1 hr 56 min
September 11 283. Amy, Ben and Calder Ask Each Other Questions
*** We apologize for some of the electrical pops and noises, we are working out the bugs but unfortunately we record our episodes a few weeks in advance and will take some time to reflect in real time. All suggestions and feedback is welcome any of the ways you can get in touch with us. ***
In previous episodes, Water Colors staff and listeners have asked Amy, Ben and Calder questions. This episode is a little different. This week, the team has decided to ask each other questions; one question personalized for each individual host and two questions for both hosts to answer. Cuddle up, grab a glass of beer or maybe a hot cocoa, and listen to the more personal sides of the team you have grown to know and love.

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1 hr 55 min
September 04 282. Filtration and Tank Cycling: Beginner Edition
Amy, Ben and Calder bring us back to the basics this week. Filtration is an essential part of keeping a healthy aquarium and is a topic that often gets over complicated and becomes confusing to beginners. Between the different types of filters, different types of filtration (biological, mechanical, and chemical), and popularity of “filterless” tanks; what is the right option? What is ideal for my set-up? The team explores these topics and more.

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1 hr 42 min
August 28 281. Betta Splendens Complex with Charles
Charles leads the Watercolors team on an exploration of the Betta splendens complex. With new scientific data being published, the topic of which bettas belong in the complex and which don’t gets a little muddy (pun intended). One thing we can all agree on is that bettas are amazing fish and should be preserved and cherished in both our tanks and the wild. Are you keeping any domestic or a wild (wild-type) bettas? Are you working on any cool new domestic hybrids or intensifying the colors of wild-type line? Let us know on any of our platforms found below. We would love to have you join in on the discussion.

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Sources mentioned in this episode:
Betta International Congress – https://www.ibcbettas.org/
Species mentioned in this episode:
Betta antuta
Betta splendens
Betta imbellis
Betta symanmorantalis
Betta smaragdina
Betta stiktos
Betta smaragdina sp. guitar
Betta mahachaiensis
Betta brownorum
Betta ocellata
Betta coccina
1 hr 23 min
August 21 280. Water Colors Staff Ask Questions
This week, the entire Water Colors Aquarium Gallery staff had the chance to ask Amy, Ben and Calder questions. From goofy and light-hearted to serious and boarderline depressing, the team is put to the test. Thank you Mandy for asking the tough questions and being our host for the evening! Join in on the fun next time and submit your own aquarium questions and curiousities to our email; [email protected].

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Sources mentioned in this episode:
Georgia Aquarium – https://www.georgiaaquarium.org
Steinhart Aquarium – https://www.calacademy.org
Waikiki Aquarium – https://www.waikikiaquarium.org/
Monterey Bay Aquarium – https://www.montereybayaquarium.org
Two Oceans Aquarium (Cape Town) – https://www.aquarium.co.za/
Kai The Fish Guy – https://www.yikaitea.com/
‘On Human Nature’ by E.O. Wilson
Species mentioned in this episode:
Clownfish species found around Indonesia
Epiplatys annulatus
Nothobranchius symoensi
Amphiprion melanopus – Blue-striped Cinnamon Clownfish
Zebrasoma gemmatum – Gem Tang
Centropyge boylei – Peppermint Angelfish
Amphiprion percula – Onyx Clownfish
Stomatopod species – Mantis Shrimp
Gall Crabs (family Cryptochiridae)
Amphiprion biaculeatus – Maroon Clownfish
Paracheirodon axelrodi – Cardinal Tetra
Amphiprion clarkii – Clark’s Clownfish
Amphiprion perideraion – Skunk Clownfish
Coregonus nigripinnis – Blackfin Cisco (Extinct)
1 hr 32 min
August 14 279. Aquarium Plants: Aquatic Aroids
This week the Water Colors team talks about all things aeroid. Many of us are familiar with aeroids as popular house plants (Monstera, Philodendron, Alocasia, Anthurium, etc.) but are you as familiar with the types of aeroids that grow under the water’s surface? Calder did the research and gives you the science of what makes an aeroid unique, what conditions these plants thrive under, and how to protect endangered eco-systems while keeping your tank looking beautiful.
***Please check with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services or your local Natural Resource Departments if you are unsure of a plant and/or how you can help prevent the spread of invasive species.***

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Sources mentioned in this episode:
The Crypt Pages – https://cryptocoryneworld.org/
Michigan Invasive Species – https://www.michigan.gov/invasives/id-report/plants/aquatic
RIPPLE: Reduce Invasive Pet and PLant Escapes – https://www.michigan.gov/invasives/take-action/landowners-gardeners-pond-owners/ripple
Species mentioned in this episode:
Lemnoideae
–Lemna (minor, minuta, valdiviana) Duckweed
–Spirodela (polyrhiza) Giant Duckweed
–Wolffia (globosa, colombiana) Watermeal or Rootless Duckweed
Aroideae
–Tribe Schismatoglottideae (prietoi, roseospatha)
–Bucephalandra (Kedagang, catherinae, with varieties like “Brownie Ghost, Brownie Jade, Brownie Firebird”) Buce
–Aridarum (cauldescens, persiai, Mini Blue)
–Fenestratarum (mulyadii, culum)
–Ooia (grabowskii, kinabaluensis, suavis)
–Galantharum kishi
–Piptospatha (ridleyi)
–Schismatoglottis (prietoi, roseospatha)
Tribe Pistieae
–Pistia (stratiotes) Water Lettuce
Tribe Homalomeneae
–Homalomena (insignis, sp. ‘Sekadau South’)
Tribe Cryptocoryneae
–Cryptocoryne (wendtii, spiralis, parva, walkeri)
–Lagenandra (meeboldii, keralensis, ovata)
Tribe Anubiadeae
–Anubias (nana, nana “Petite”, barteri, coffeefolia, congensis, gigantea)
1 hr 37 min
August 07 278. Ideas for Improving Club Breeder Programs
Amy, Ben and Calder invite Craig Forist to table to dicuss the recent decline in aquarium club activity, specifically around breeder programs. With many different external factors like space, budget, time, and social anxiety pushing the average hobbist away, how do we keep these programs fair for the beginners and challenging for the seasoned breeder? This week, the team has come up with some interesting take aways and solutions for this very issue. Join your local aquarium club and let us know your next big (or little) breeding projects!

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Sources mentioned in this episode:
Grand Valley Aquarium Club – https://gvaquariumclub.org/
West Michigan Marine Aquarium Society – https://www.facebook.com/groups/298576849030426/
South West Michigan Aquarium Society – https://www.swmas.club/
Michiana Aquarium Society – https://mas.fish/
Missouri Aquarium Society – https://missouriaquariumsociety.com/
Amercian Livebearer Association – https://livebearers.org/
American Kilifish Association – https://aka.org/
International Betta Congress – https://www.ibcbettas.org/
Ohio Cichlid Association – https://www.ohiocichlid.com/
American Cichlid Association – https://www.cichlid.org/
1 hr 14 min