230. An Ode to Killifish

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 sure to get your ideas flowing! Your coworkers will either love you, or avoid you – depending on what type of tank you put on your desk! What desktop aquariums would you like to setup?   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, 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 facts along the way.   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

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?   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: Fundulopanchax gardneri Lucania goodei Epiplatyus annulatus Aphyosemion australe Diapteron fulgens Paraphanius mento Jordanella floridae Lamprichthys tanganicanus Nothobranchius rachovii Nothobranchius reubripinnis Additional sources mentioned in this episode: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1055790322000951

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/   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: Wasp catfish, akysis vespa Marbled hoplo cat, megalechis thorocata Gulper cat, asterophysus batrachus Banjo cat, bunocephalus caracoideus Eel-tailed banjo cat, platystacus cotylephorus Bumblebee cat, microglanis iheringi Glass catfish, kryptopterus vitreolus Ornate pim, pimelodus ornatus Pictus cat, pimelodus pictus Dwarf upside-down cat, synodontis nigriventis Stargazer catfish, astroblepus mancoi Synodontis lucipinnis Synodontis petricola Dwarf anchor cat, erethistes jerdoni Small-mouthed electric catfish, malapterurus microstoma Gold hovering cat, chandramara chandramara   Sources referenced in this episode: https://www.planetcatfish.com/ https://www.scotcat.com/ https://seriouslyfish.com/

In this new episode format, the Water Colors team is quizzed on their fish knowledge! Using a 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 are sure to stump even the experts!   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

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 dream of keeping?   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      

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 developed a special interest in livebearing fishes and rapidly became involved with the American Livebearer Association (ALA) where he served in various capacities including Chairman. Pat has been involved in almost every aspect of the ALA, having won several major Show Awards at the ALA Conventions, participates in the Species Maintenance Program, serves as auctioneer, and has successfully bred over 180 species of livebearers in the ALA Breeder’s Award Program. Pat was also instrumental in the formation of the ALA Vern Parish Fund (VPF) where he continues as Co-Chairman. He is Co-Chair of the ALA Graduate Student Poster Session (GPS).   Today he specializes almost exclusively in wild species of livebearers. Pat was honored by being named “Fellow of the ALA” in 2006. Pat is also active with the North American Goodeid Working Group (NAGWG) and finally made his first trip to Mexico in Nov 2014 for the 4th International Symposium on Viviparous Fishes, along with the GWG Meeting, visit to the Fish Ark, and Collecting Goodeids in the Wild. He made his second trip to Mexico in February 2017 as a part of the first ever NAGWG Goodeid Study Tour, and a third trip to Guadalajara as an invited Speaker at the GWG 2 nd International Convention. He became Chairman of the NAGWG in 2022. Goodeid Working Group https://www.goodeidworkinggroup.com/ American Livebearer Association https://www.livebearers.org/ Vern Parish Fund https://www.livebearers.org/research/vern-parish-fund Langhammer Fund for Conservation https://www.livebearers.org/research/langhammer-fund   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

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?   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, including episode notes from Calder: – Subfamily Poeciliinae Tribe Alfarini – Genus Alfaro: Small clade of central American livebearers that live in rainforests. Tribe Gambusini – Genus Belonesox: This is a highly specialized predator, with an extremely flexible upper jaw that enables it to take very large prey items for its size. – Genus Brachyrhaphis: Most are restricted to Panama and Costa Rica, but B. holdridgei also occurs in Nicaragua and B. hartwegi is from Mexico and Guatemala. A phylogenetic analysis published in 2015 suggested that Brachyrhaphis may not be of a monophyletic group. – Genus Gambusia: Gambusia contains over 40 species, most of which are principally found in freshwater habitats, though some species may also be found in brackish or saltwater habitats. The genus Gambusia comes from the Cuban term, “Gambusino”, which means “free-lance miner”[3] The type species is the Cuban gambusia, G. punctata. The greatest species richness is in Mexico, Texas, and the Greater Antilles, but species are also found elsewhere in the eastern and southern United States, the Bahamas, Central America, and Colombia. – Genus Heterophallus; A genus of small poeciliids found near the coast in calm waters of river basins in southeastern Mexico. Tribe Girardini – Carlhubbsia – Girardinus Tribe Heterandriini – Genus Heterandria: Most species occur in Guatemala and its surroundings, particularly Mexico, but the midget livebearer (H. formosa) comes from the southeastern United States. – Genus Neoheterandria: – Genus Poeciliopsis is a genus of poeciliid fishes that primarily are native to Mexico and Central America. The only exceptions are P. turrubarensis where the range extends into Colombia, and P. occidentalis where the range extends into Arizona and New Mexico. – Genus Priapichthys: native to Costa Rica, Panama and Colombia – Genus Xenophallus: Xenophallus umbratilis is a species of poeciliid fish native to the countries of Nicaragua and Costa Rica. This species grows to a length of 4.5 centimetres Tribe Poeciliini – Genus Limia: It comprises 22 described species found in fresh, brackish, saltwater, and hypersaline habitats of the Greater Antilles islands in the Caribbean Sea. A vast majority are endemic to Hispaniola. There has been a long-running debate on whether Limia should be considered a subgenus of Poecilia rather than a full genus. Most Limia species are detritivores and herbivores. – Genus Micropoecilia: Micropoecilia is a genus of poeciliids native to fresh and brackish water from the Amazon Basin to Trinidad. – Genus Phallichthys: Phallichthys is a genus of poeciliids native to Central America. They are hardy fish which inhabit stagnant and slow-flowing waters, making them well-suited to fishkeeping. – Genus Poecilia – Genus Xiphophorus Tribe Cnesterodontini – Genus Cnesterodon: south American poecilids – Genus Phalloceros: is a genus of poeciliids native to freshwater habitats in Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay and northern Argentina. The majority are endemic to southern and southeastern Brazil (only exceptions are P. caudimaculatus, P. harpagos and P. leticiae).[2] P. caudimaculatus has long been part of the aquarium industry and has been introduced to countries far from its native range.

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 allure for livebearer fanatics. We discuss availability, conservation status, care, and more! Which species have you kept?   Goodeid Working Group: https://www.goodeidworkinggroup.com/   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: Empetrichthyinae Crenichthys: • Crenichthys nevadae • Crenichthys baileyi Empetrichthys • Empetrichthys latos • Empetrichthys merriami     Goodeinae: Allodontichthys: • They live in the riffles of the streams • Mainly insect feeders • Cool clean water Alloophorus • Bulldog Goodeid!!! • Lakes and slow moving vegetation • Apex predators • Large teeth and jaws Allotoca • Silty bottomed springs and creeks • Detritus Ameca • Clean warm springs • Algae • Easiest Goodeid in my opinion Ataeniobius • Peaceful • Mainly eats algae Chapalichthys • Lakes a rivers • Vegetation feeder Characodon • Spring fed ponds • Carnivorous when fry Girardinichthys • Carnivorous • Underrepresented Goodea • Big boys • Eats everything Hubbsina • Carnivorous • Underrepresented Ilyodon • Flowing water • Algae feeding Skiffia • Warm springs • Vegetarians Xenoophorus • Springs over silty bottom • Vegitartain Xenotaenia • Omnivores • Variety of habitats Xenotoca • Omnivores • Variety of habitats Zoogoneticus • Carnivorous • Variety of habitats

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