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:

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Sources mentioned in this episode:

Species mentioned in this episode:

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.

*** 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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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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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:

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

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)

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:

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)

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/

Calder leads the Water Colors team on a deep dive into Ricefish. Ricefish have been in the aquarium hobby for a very long time and often are overlooked as being boring or common. In recent years, there has been an uptake in interest abroad leading to many new, interesting colors and body/fin shapes. Whether you are looking for a new addition to your tub pond or want a new fish for your micro-community tank, there may be a species of Ricefish for you.

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Sources mentioned in this episode:

Japanese Medaka Association – https://jma-medaka.com/

American Medaka Association – https://americanmedaka.org/

Species mentioned in this episode:

Oryzias latipes  – Japanese Ricefish

Oryzias sakaizumii – Nothern Medaka Ricefish

Types of Common Colors/ Patterns:

Oryzias dancena – Indian or “Dancing” Ricefish

Oryzias javanicus – Javan Ricefish

Oryzias minutillus – Dwarf Medaka Ricefish

Oryzias mekongensis – Mekong Ricefish

Oryzias sinensis –  Chinese Ricefish

Oryzias woworae – Daisy’s Ricefish

Oryzias eversi – “Livebearing” Ricefish

Oryzias soerotoi

Oryzias marmoratus

Oryzias profundicola – Yellow-finned Ricefish

This week’s episode isn’t like the usual topics we explore. This week, the Water Colors team calls you action to help us make the world of fish keeping a more hospitable place for new aquarists. Beginner Facebook pages, Reddit forums, YouTube influencers, and social media in general have spread misinformation through this hobby like wildfire and often meet beginners with unkind, unhelpful responses. They have only deepen the barriers to entry. Let’s change that by responding with respect and kindness, citing your sources, and encouraging people through their mistakes with helpful suggestions, shared experience and love for this hobby.

If you are really cool, follow us and join us in the conversations using any of the platforms listed below.

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