219. Useful Aquarium Junk

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.facebook.com/groups/788428861825086/   Enjoying the show? Support the gallery by shopping aquarium plants, merch, equipment, and more! https://watercolorsaquariumgallery.com/   Looking for more content? Become a YouTube member for exclusive access to behind the scenes livestreams! https://www.youtube.com/@watercolorsaquariumgallery

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 [email protected]   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/   Looking for more content? Become a YouTube member for exclusive access to behind the scenes livestreams! https://www.youtube.com/@watercolorsaquariumgallery

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?   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/   Looking for more content? Become a YouTube member for exclusive access to behind the scenes livestreams! https://www.youtube.com/@watercolorsaquariumgallery   Coral Finder https://www.russellkelley.info/print/indo-pacific-coral-finder/

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?   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/   Looking for more content? Become a YouTube member for exclusive access to behind the scenes livestreams! https://www.youtube.com/@watercolorsaquariumgallery

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/   Looking for more content? Become a YouTube member for exclusive access to behind the scenes livestreams! https://www.youtube.com/@watercolorsaquariumgallery

In this episode, the Water Colors team reacts blindly to stories from around the internet compiled by the editor. This includes forum posts, news stories, and more! These posts range from tragic to funny, and everything in between. Many of them will kick off some valuable discussions surrounding misinformation or just plain bad advice. Keep in mind that stories found online may not always be accurate or verified. What’s the craziest aquarium story you’ve found online?   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/   Looking for more content? Become a YouTube member for exclusive access to behind the scenes livestreams! https://www.youtube.com/@watercolorsaquariumgallery   Links for stories mentioned in this episode (when available): Ammonia test burn (NSFW) https://www.reddit.com/r/Aquariums/comments/1jeu4ty/fyi_when_your_ammonia_test_kit_say_avoid_skin/ “Save or Slurp” school fundraiser https://www.reddit.com/r/Goldfish/comments/1hfm86e/is_this_even_legal_i_am_horrified_right_now/ Betta grooming in Thailand (NSFW) https://www.reddit.com/r/bettafish/comments/1knux95/warning_betta_grooming_in_thailand/ Fish misinformation thread https://www.reddit.com/r/Aquariums/comments/1hg3rzf/what_fish_misinformationmyth_drive_you_up_the_wall/ Man found deceased in reef tank https://www.reddit.com/r/ReefTank/comments/1hmhfy2/so_this_happened/ Parasite ID help https://www.reddit.com/r/Aquariums/comments/1hrc84z/parasite_id_help/ My wife ate my fish food https://www.reddit.com/r/Aquariums/comments/1ighfbj/i_couldnt_stop_her_if_i_tried_my_wife_ate_one_of/ Water lentils approved for human consumption in EU https://www.reddit.com/r/europe/comments/1ih075o/water_lentils_duckweed_created_by_wagenigen/ Walmart fish guide https://www.reddit.com/r/Aquariums/comments/1iprfla/can_you_guys_see_the_problem/#lightbox

In this episode, the water colors team welcomes not one, but TWO special guests to join in on the fun! We’re happy to be joined again by aquatic ecologist Jordyn Stoll, as well as long time friend of the store and Victorian cichlid guru Justin Sarns! With the help of the experts, we discuss Lake Victorian cichlids, travel stories, and general ecology. Victoria is Africa’s largest lake and is home to some of the most unique fish in the world. Which Victorian species would you like to own?   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/   Looking for more content? Become a YouTube member for exclusive access to behind the scenes livestreams! https://www.youtube.com/@watercolorsaquariumgallery

We often see hobbyists who are fixated on “bad ass” fish. Sometimes they’re looking for big, aggressive cichlids, other times they may be looking for toothy predators like pike cichlids. In this episode, the Water Colors team discusses a variety of “bad ass” fish chosen by Ben and how one might keep them responsibly. Spoiler alert: some of these fish are best left to public aquariums – stop trying to keep them at home! What bad ass fish are your favorites?   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/   Looking for more content? Become a YouTube member for exclusive access to behind the scenes livestreams! https://www.youtube.com/@watercolorsaquariumgallery   Species mentioned in this episode: Channa, snakeheads Hoplias malabaricus, Wolf fish Astronotus ocellatus, Oscar Tetraodon lineatus, Fahaka puffer Parachromis dovii, Wolf cichlid Chitala ornata, clown knifefish Asterophysus batrachus, Gupler catfish Pike cichlids Osteoglossum bicirrhosum, Silver arowana Belonesox belizanus, Pike killifish Exodon paradoxus, Bucktooth tetra Pygocentrus nattereri, Red-bellied piranha Aphyocharax nattereri   Honorable mentions Jack dempsey, red devil, lima shovelnose catfish, datnoids

Maintenance breeding, conservation breeding, inbreeding, and outbreeding – what does it all mean? Charles returns to the podcast to discuss selective breeding and population genetics. It’s important to consider these concepts when taking on any breeding projects. Join us as we take a deep dive!   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/   Looking for more content? Become a YouTube member for exclusive access to behind the scenes livestreams! https://www.youtube.com/@watercolorsaquariumgallery

In this episode, the Water Colors team discusses their favorite soft corals. We have loosely categorized soft corals using the hobby’s distinctions, but keep in mind this is not based on any scientific classifications. Corals in this category are often very easy to keep, many of which propagate very quickly in home aquariums. They are often more forgiving, making them great additions to reef tanks of all styles. What soft corals are your favorites?   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/   Looking for more content? Become a YouTube member for exclusive access to behind the scenes livestreams! https://www.youtube.com/@watercolorsaquariumgallery     Species mentioned in this episode: palythoa grandis zoanthidae sarcophyton cladiella rhodactis ricordea discosoma sinularia brassica sclerophytum anthelia grogonians plexaura homomalla briareum asbestinum antillogorgia bipinnata pinnigorgia flava briareum violaceum unomia stolonifera sympodium conglomeratusclera coerulea   References used in this episode: https://www.marinespecies.org/ https://www.coralsoftheworld.org/page/home/