Shows / Water Colors Aquarium Gallery
Water Colors Aquarium Gallery
Ben, owner of Water Colors Aquarium Gallery in Grand Rapids, MI is joined by his store managers Amy and Charles to discuss the aquarium hobby.
Episodes
- Water Colors Aquarium Gallery
169. Cold-water Marine Aquariums
In this episode, the Water Colors team discusses some incredible saltwater organisms that require cooler temperatures, as well as some examples of cold-water…
- Water Colors Aquarium Gallery
168. Grasses and Friends
This episode is all about grass-like plants and how to grow them! Technically, only species from the family poacea are true grasses – but for the purpose…
- Water Colors Aquarium Gallery
167. Marine Snails
Marine snails are much more than just a clean up crew! The available species are diverse and complex, with some even living up to 40 years! The Water Colors…
- Water Colors Aquarium Gallery
166. Conservation Projects and How to Get Involved
Many of our values here at Water Colors are derived from an understanding that the aquarium industry is inherently harmful to the planet, and in turn, to the…
- Water Colors Aquarium Gallery
165. Zebra Danios: Saving the World One Fish at a Time
In this episode, we take a focused look at zebra danios, AKA zebrafish or Danio rerio. Zebra danios are one of the most iconic aquarium fish due to their…
- Water Colors Aquarium Gallery
164. Freshwater Snails: Friends or Foes?
Let’s talk about snails. Some aquarists are militant about the presence of “pest” snails in their aquariums, but we here at Water Colors…
- Water Colors Aquarium Gallery
163. The Great Damsel Debate
The concept of damsel fish in aquariums goes back to the beginning of marine fishkeeping. They are often used as “throwaway” fish to cycle new…
- Water Colors Aquarium Gallery
162. Women in the Aquarium Hobby
This episode is an open ended discussion surrounding women in the aquarium hobby. It’s no surprise that women are underrepresented in the world of fish…
- Water Colors Aquarium Gallery
161. Top 3 Places to See Fish in the Wild
The Water Colors team discusses the importance of travel in this unique episode! There are so many reasons to explore the world, but here we discuss our top 3…
- Water Colors Aquarium Gallery
160. Top 5 Variations of the Blood-Red Parrot Cichlid (April Fools)
One of the most beloved fish in the Water Colors universe is the stunning Blood-red Parrot cichlid. They come in so many fun shapes and colors, what’s…
- Water Colors Aquarium Gallery
159. Macroalgae 101
Utilizing macroalgae in reef tanks is a popular trend in modern day marine aquaria. It’s an excellent way to add some variable textures and colors into…
- Water Colors Aquarium Gallery
158. Parasites of the Caribbean: The Evolution of Cleaner Gobies
Elacatinus gobies are the perfect nano fish – small, stunning, and regularly captive bred! These awesome cleaner gobies are not obligate cleaners, and…
- Water Colors Aquarium Gallery
157. Top 5 Non-Cichlid South American Fish
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!…
- Water Colors Aquarium Gallery
156. Dottybacks
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…
- Water Colors Aquarium Gallery
155. Listener Questions March 2024
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 Aquarium Gallery
154. Top 5 Non-Aquarium Fish
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…
- Water Colors Aquarium Gallery
153. How Hobbyists Can Be Better Scientists
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…
- Water Colors Aquarium Gallery
152. Cyanobacteria
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…
- Water Colors Aquarium Gallery
151. Questioning the Ethics of Fishkeeping
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…
- Water Colors Aquarium Gallery
150. Top 5 Things We Got Wrong
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…
- Water Colors Aquarium Gallery
149. Top 5 Fish from Asia
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…
- Water Colors Aquarium Gallery
148. Our Favorite Saltwater Mobile Inverts
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…
- Water Colors Aquarium Gallery
147. Pelvicachromis and Friends
The Water Colors team joins Charles as he discusses some of the fishes from the tribe Chromidotilapiini; specifically Pelvicachromis and a few related genera…
- Water Colors Aquarium Gallery
146. Photosynthetic Clams
This episode, is all about clams in the subfamily Tridacninae. Photosynthetic clams look stunning and otherworldly, yet their physiology is even more…
- Water Colors Aquarium Gallery
145. Interview with Gary Lange: Rainbowfish Collecting
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…
- Water Colors Aquarium Gallery
144. Gifts for Aquarists
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…
- Water Colors Aquarium Gallery
Bonus Episode: An Ode to Ben
Switching gears in this episode – a few staff members discuss their favorite things about working at Water Colors. The work environment Ben has created…
- Water Colors Aquarium Gallery
143. Anemones 101
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…
- Water Colors Aquarium Gallery
142. Top 5 Freshwater Price Tags
We’ve all seen outrageously expensive fish while shopping at local fish stores. What makes a pricey fish “worth it?” This episode’s…
- Water Colors Aquarium Gallery
141. Top 5 Easiest Plants
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…
- Water Colors Aquarium Gallery
140. Should We Ban Water Lettuce? With Dr. Alisha Davidson
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…
- Water Colors Aquarium Gallery
139. Top 5 Late Blooming Freshwater Fish
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…
- Water Colors Aquarium Gallery
138. Reintroduction: Get to Know Your Hosts
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…
- Water Colors Aquarium Gallery
137. Tangs 101: A Brief Introduction
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…
- Water Colors Aquarium Gallery
136. Top 5 LPS Corals
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…
- Water Colors Aquarium Gallery
135. Top 5 Stem Plants
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…
- Water Colors Aquarium Gallery
134. Freshwater Shrimp
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…
- Water Colors Aquarium Gallery
133. Top 5 South American Cichlids
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…
- Water Colors Aquarium Gallery
132. Saltwater Biotopes
The concept of biotypic aquariums is rarely, if ever, replicated in the reef hobby. While biotopes are common amongst freshwater hobbyists, the reef community…
- Water Colors Aquarium Gallery
131. Hobby Perceptions
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…
- Water Colors Aquarium Gallery
130. Freshwater Fish Diseases
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…
- Water Colors Aquarium Gallery
129. Staff Questions
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…
- Water Colors Aquarium Gallery
128. Top 5 Hot Water Fish
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…
- Water Colors Aquarium Gallery
127. Top 5 Rift Lake Cichlids
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…
- Water Colors Aquarium Gallery
126. Cryptocoryne
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…
- Water Colors Aquarium Gallery
125. Conservation: A Discussion on the Future of the Aquarium Hobby
This episode is a discussion on the difficult, yet necessary topic of conservation in the aquarium hobby. The Water Colors team, with special guest and staff…
- Water Colors Aquarium Gallery
124. Top 5 Shrimp-Safe Fish
What fish are safe to keep in your beloved shrimp tank? It’s hard to resist the urge to add fish to a shrimp colony, but many species will turn your tank…
- Water Colors Aquarium Gallery
123. Top 5 Livebearing Fish
In this episode, the Water Colors team discusses their top 5 picks for livebearing fish. Many of these wild type livebearers are certainly specialty fish…
- Water Colors Aquarium Gallery
122. Reef Predators
Predatory fish can be some of the most entertaining species to keep – but the same traits that make them fun can also pose a challenge! What tank mates…
- Water Colors Aquarium Gallery
121. Top 5 Mop-Spawning Killifish
Killifish make for great pets, display fish, and breeding projects. Some of the easiest types to keep and breed are known as non-annual killifish, or…
- Water Colors Aquarium Gallery
120. Top 5 Corydoras
Corydoras catfishes are some of the most universally loved bottom dwellers in the aquarium hobby. This genus is comprised of nearly 200 species and counting!…
- Water Colors Aquarium Gallery
119. Top 5 Tub Pond Fish
Tub pond season is once again upon us! This is a fun and effective way to breed fish outside, with the added benefit of naturally occurring live food and a…
- Water Colors Aquarium Gallery
118. Raising Fry
You know that excitement you feel when you see fry appear in an aquarium? Followed by the panic of “now what?” Well in this episode, the Water…
- Water Colors Aquarium Gallery
117. Top 5 Easy Corals
Are you interested in starting a reef tank, but are intimidated by coral care? Well in this episode, we discuss the top 5 easiest corals to keep in your…
- Water Colors Aquarium Gallery
116. Top 5 Characins
Characins are a vast and diverse family of fish that are hugely popular in the aquarium hobby. With well over 1000 species, how could you ever pick a favorite?…
- Water Colors Aquarium Gallery
115. Top 5 Episodes (Livestream)
What are your favorite Water Colors Aquarium Gallery episodes? It’s like choosing a favorite child! Tune in to hear Ben, Amy, and Charles’ top 5…
- Water Colors Aquarium Gallery
114. Mouth Brooding Bettas
This episode is all about the adaptive mouth brooding bettas! The Water Colors team discusses the various betta species that exhibit this fascinating strategy…
- Water Colors Aquarium Gallery
113. Top 5 Fish Under $6
In many episodes of the podcast, the Water Colors team likes to talk about rare, and often expensive, fish. In this episode: Ben, Amy, and Charles talk about…
- Water Colors Aquarium Gallery
112. Dirt-Spawning Killifishes
Killifishes have a reputation for being difficult or requiring incredibly specific husbandry requirements, but these myths ignore the fact that there are over…
- Water Colors Aquarium Gallery
111. Wild-Type Clownfishes and Where to Find Them
In this episode of the podcast, the Water Colors team is looking outside the “designer” clownfish box and exploring the natural biodiversity in…