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.

  1. 3d ago

    Top Five Saltwater Gobies

    A little nervous to start keeping a salt water tank? Don’t have a lot of room in your tank but have the itch to get something new? Are you a sucker for a cute, goofy face? We think the addition of a saltwater goby may be for you. Join the Water Colors team in the discussion of their top five favorite saltwater gobies. With such cool colors, behaviors, and size, what’s not to love about these guys?   Looking for more content? Become a YouTube member for exclusive access to behind the scenes livestreams! https://www.youtube.com/@watercolorsaquariumgallery Enjoying the show? Support the gallery by shopping aquarium plants, merch, equipment, and more! https://watercolorsaquariumgallery.com/ Join the discussion on the Water Colors Aquarium Gallery Podcast Listeners Facebook group! https://www.facebook.com/groups/788428861825086/ Join our growing community on Discord! https://go.watercolors.shop/discord   Sources mentioned in this episode: AMAZONAS Magazine – https://www.amazonasmagazine.com/ Coral Magazine – https://www.coralmagazine.com/ Ocean Geographic Magazine – https://www.ogsociety.org/ Blue Ring – https://www.bluering.blue Mission Blue – https://missionblue.org/the-mission/ Fins Up Creative / Sea America / Protected Waters – www.youtube.com/@DownUnderJenn Got a cool story you want mentioned in AMAZONAS magazine? Email editors@aquaticmediapress.com Species mentioned in this episode: Discordipinna griessingeri – Griessingeri Goby or Flaming Prawn Goby Tigrigobius multifasciatus – Greenbanded Goby Elacatinus lobeli – Caribbean Neon Goby Elacatinus oceanops – Neon Goby Elacatinus figaro – Barber Goby or Yellow Line Goby Stonogobiops nematodes – Black-ray Goby or all the other common names listed by Ben around 27 minutes Cryptocentrus cinctus – Yellow Watchman Goby Alpheus bellulus – Tiger Pistol Shrimp Alpheus randalli – Candy Stripe or Randall’s Pistol Shrimp Amblyeleotris aurora – Aurora Goby or Pinkbar Goby Ptereleotris zebra – Zebra Barred Dartfish Elacatinus puncticulatus – Redhead Goby Trimma cana – Candy Cane Pygmy Goby Trimma striatum – Red-lined Pygmy Goby Amblyeleotris wheeleri – Gorgeous Prawn or Wheeler’s Shrimp Goby Priolepis nocturna – Cave Goby, Black Barred Convict Goby, Circus Goby Stonogobiops yasha – Orange-striped Shrimp Goby Lythrypnus dalli – Catalina or Blue-banded Goby

    1h 26m
  2. Jul 3

    Top 5 Holy Grail Fish (What's Changed Since Episode 59?)

    Can you believe it’s been five years since we last talked about our top five holy grail fish in episode 59? Ben, Amy, and Calder decided to revisit the topic and see how they have grown, what’s changed, and what’s still the same. With holy grail fish, beauty is in the eye of the beholder and that’s what makes it so fun! Whether it’s a cool new guppy strain you saw online or building a thousand gallon shark system, there is no wrong way to fall in love with a fish. Let’s us know some of your holy grail fish, past and present. We would love to hear from you and share your enthusiasm.   Looking for more content? Become a YouTube member for exclusive access to behind the scenes livestreams! https://www.youtube.com/@watercolorsaquariumgallery Enjoying the show? Support the gallery by shopping aquarium plants, merch, equipment, and more! https://watercolorsaquariumgallery.com/ Join the discussion on the Water Colors Aquarium Gallery Podcast Listeners Facebook group! https://www.facebook.com/groups/788428861825086/ Join our growing community on Discord! https://go.watercolors.shop/discord   Sources mentioned in this episode: American Killifish Association – https://aka.org/ American Livebearer Association – https://livebearers.org/ International Betta Congress – https://www.ibcbettas.org/ American Cichlid Association – https://www.cichlid.org/ Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation – https://myfwc.com/ Species mentioned in this episode: Rhinogobius zhoui Diapteron cyanostictum Betta macrostoma Betta mulyadii Nothobranchius symoensi Neoheterandria elegans Alcolapia latilabris Xiphophorus Wallacii regani Poecilia velifera Hoplisoma longipinne Anableps anableps Corella arnoldi Pteronotropis welaka Parasphrenemos linkeyi

    1h 55m
  3. Jun 27

    Top 5 Favorite Mid-sized Cichlids

    Looking for a cichlid to add to your 55-75 gallon aquarium? Ben, Amy and Calder talk about five of their “favorite” medium-sized cichlids, but honestly how do you only pick five. Many of the cichlids chosen tonight are not only beautiful, but display interesting paretal behaviors and hold special places in our hearts being recoginzed by the CARES Fish Preservation Program. We would love to hear some of your favorites we didn’t mention tonight and  experiences you’ve had in your aquariums. Let’s make cichlids more popular in the hobby again!   Looking for more content? Become a YouTube member for exclusive access to behind the scenes livestreams! https://www.youtube.com/@watercolorsaquariumgallery Enjoying the show? Support the gallery by shopping aquarium plants, merch, equipment, and more! https://watercolorsaquariumgallery.com/ Join the discussion on the Water Colors Aquarium Gallery Podcast Listeners Facebook group! https://www.facebook.com/groups/788428861825086/ Join our growing community on Discord! https://go.watercolors.shop/discord   Sources mentioned in this episode: New England Cichlid Association – https://www.necichlids.org/ Species mentioned in this episode: Andinoacara pulcher – Blue Acara Benitochromis nigrodorsalis Aequidens diadema – Royal Acara Iranocichla persa Ptyochromis sp. “Hippo point salmon” Neolamprologus tretocephalus – Five-Bar Cichlid Thorichthys meeki – Firemouth Cichlid Amatitliana kanna – Panama Convict Cichlid Amatitlania nanoluteus – Yellow Convict Cichlid Pterophyllum leopoldi – Leopold’s Angelfish Stomatepia pindu – Pindu Cichlid Aequidens metae – Yellow Acara Paragobiocichla irvinei – Blue-Lipped Buffalo Head Coptodon kottae – Yellow Tilapia Wallaciia regani – Regani Dwarf Pike Cichlid

    1h 27m
  4. Jun 24

    Interview with Alex Rose

    You may have seen our familiar faces in the recent release of the AMAZONAS Big Beauties magazine. This is because we had the privilege to interview Alex Rose, executive editor of AMAZONAS magazine and associate editor of Coral and Ocean Geographic magazine. It was truly a pleasure to have her here and we look forward to working with her again. She dives in, literally, to her work and what it takes to have your work published in a magazine. She talks about her diving experiences, AI and how it can be used in the proper setting, and current / up and coming projects. Thank you for  your patient wait, here is the amazing Alex Rose. ***We did experience some technical issues while recording, please skip to the 5:00 minute mark to hear Alex clearly.***   Looking for more content? Become a YouTube member for exclusive access to behind the scenes livestreams! https://www.youtube.com/@watercolorsaquariumgallery Enjoying the show? Support the gallery by shopping aquarium plants, merch, equipment, and more! https://watercolorsaquariumgallery.com/ Join the discussion on the Water Colors Aquarium Gallery Podcast Listeners Facebook group! https://www.facebook.com/groups/788428861825086/ Join our growing community on Discord! https://go.watercolors.shop/discord   Sources mentioned in this episode: AMAZONAS Magazine – https://www.amazonasmagazine.com/ Coral Magazine – https://www.coralmagazine.com/ Ocean Geographic Magazine – https://www.ogsociety.org/ Blue Ring – https://www.bluering.blue Mission Blue – https://missionblue.org/the-mission/ Fins Up Creative / Sea America / Protected Waters – www.youtube.com/@DownUnderJenn Got a cool story you want mentioned in AMAZONAS magazine? Email editors@aquaticmediapress.com Species mentioned in this episode: Amphiprion percula Dichotomyctere nigroviridis Aphyosemion striatum Nothobranchius furzeri Liopropoma carmabi Zu cristatus Carcharhinus falciformis Oxymonacanthus longirostris

    1h 36m
  5. May 29

    Water Color's Next Step - Breeder Lab Brainstorm

    This week’s podcast is a little different than most… This week, we invite you to sit down and brainstorm some ideas for our breeder lab remodel with Ben, Amy, and Maddy. Our tenative plan is to work with wild type bettas and livebearers, killifish, and bristlenose plecos with a majority of the tanks used to grow out some of our favorite plants. We are so excited to get this project up and running but it’s so difficult to pick a select few species to work with. What do you want to see in our lab? What uncommon fish would you like to see more readily avalible in the hobby? Let us know using the resources below. We love and appreciate your ideas and feedback.   Looking for more content? Become a YouTube member for exclusive access to behind the scenes livestreams! https://www.youtube.com/@watercolorsaquariumgallery Enjoying the show? Support the gallery by shopping aquarium plants, merch, equipment, and more! https://watercolorsaquariumgallery.com/ Join the discussion on the Water Colors Aquarium Gallery Podcast Listeners Facebook group! https://www.facebook.com/groups/788428861825086/ Join our growing community on Discord! https://go.watercolors.shop/discord   Sources mentioned in this episode: Aquatic Gardeners Association – https://www.aquatic-gardeners.org/ Andrej Spec Species mentioned in this episode: Betta dennisyongi Aphyosemion riggenbachi Fundulopanchax gardeneri Nothobranchius guentheri ‘zanzibar’ Epiplatys annulatus Nothobranchius korthausae ‘Mafia Island’ Nothobranchius flammicomantis Moema helleri Aphyosemion ogoense Kryptolebias marmoratus Rivulus sp. “Colombia” Anablepsoides hartii Aphyosemion citrineipinnis Aphyosemion splendopleure (and ‘Tiko green’) Aphyosemion bitaeniatum Aphyosemion bivittatum Aphyosemion australe gold Paraphanius mento Aphanius farsicus Epiplatys dageti Epiplatys monroviae Utricularia – Bladderwort Microctenopoma ansorgii Betta enisae Betta pallifina Betta patoti Betta macrostoma Betta mahachaiensis Betta pallifina Betta miniopinna Betta chini Betta hendra Betta imbellis Betta smaragdina ‘guitar’ Betta cocina Betta channoides Xiphophorus helleri guentheri Xiphophorus pygmaeus Xiphophorus nigrensis Xiphophorus birchmanni Ataeniobius toweri Poecila velifera Limia tridens Limia tridens Heterandria formosa Xenophallus umbratilis Plant species coming soon…

    1h 42m
  6. May 22

    Interview with Andrej Spec: Rare Plants, Fish Rooms, and More!

    The Water Colors team gathers around the table with special guest, Andrej Spec, to talk about aquarium plants. Andrej shares his aquarium journey and how he quickly went from hobbyist to passionate collector. He talks about his successes, some of his methods to that success, and so much more. Thank you so much for your kindness and inspiration, Andrej and we look forward to seeing you again.   Looking for more content? Become a YouTube member for exclusive access to behind the scenes livestreams! https://www.youtube.com/@watercolorsaquariumgallery Enjoying the show? Support the gallery by shopping aquarium plants, merch, equipment, and more! https://watercolorsaquariumgallery.com/ Join the discussion on the Water Colors Aquarium Gallery Podcast Listeners Facebook group! https://www.facebook.com/groups/788428861825086/ Join our growing community on Discord! https://go.watercolors.shop/discord   Sources mentioned in this episode: Andrej Spec Missouri Aquarium Society – https://missouriaquariumsociety.com/ Christel Kasselmann – https://www.instagram.com/christel.kasselmann/ Aquatic Gardeners Association – https://www.aquatic-gardeners.org/ Dennis Wong – www.2hraquarist.com Plants from Test Tubes: An Introduction to Micropropagation by Lydiane Kyte (with co-authors like John Kleyn, Holly Scoggins, and Mark Bridgen in later editions)   Species mentioned in this episode: Crinum asiaticum – Crinum “Centorum” Cuphea anagalloidea Ludwigia inclinata var. verticillata – Ludwigia “Tornado” Rotala ramosior ‘Florida’ Rotala ramosior ‘Sunset’ Lobelia cardinalis – Cardinal Plant Lobelia kalmii – Kalm’s Lobelia Lobelia siphilitica – Blue Cardinal Plant Lobelia x Speciosa Oomycetes Xylaria Vallisneria spiralis var. denserrulata – Lake Tanganyika Vallisneria Cryptocoryne wendtii (‘Mi Oya’ and green) Barclaya motleyi Barclaya wellyi Nymphae – Water Lily Nymphaea sp. Peru Puerto Maldonado Nymphaea aff. dimorpha (minuta) Cryptocoryne keei Cryptocoryne nurii Cryptocoryne striolata Cryptocoryne spiralis Fenestratarum Bucephalandra ultramafica Bucephalandra kishii Cryptocoryne striolata – “Red Tiger” Crypt Osteogaster hephaestus – Fireball Cory Corydoras sp. CW113 Lagenandra ovata – “Mayan Sword” Pseudogastromyzon fasciatus “Zhejiang” Pseudogastromyzon lepidogaster

    2h 5m
  7. May 15

    Live at 2026 KilliKarnival

    Thank you to everyone who listened to our live talk! Ben, Amy, Calder and Maddy had an awesome time and are looking forward to next year. In this talk, we cover how / where to get killifish, their relavence in the hobby, and how we can do our part to make these great fish more popular amoungst hobbyists.   Looking for more content? Become a YouTube member for exclusive access to behind the scenes livestreams! https://www.youtube.com/@watercolorsaquariumgallery Enjoying the show? Support the gallery by shopping aquarium plants, merch, equipment, and more! https://watercolorsaquariumgallery.com/ Join the discussion on the Water Colors Aquarium Gallery Podcast Listeners Facebook group! https://www.facebook.com/groups/788428861825086/ Join our growing community on Discord! https://go.watercolors.shop/discord   Sources mentioned in this episode: American Killifish Association – https://aka.org/ British Killifish Association – https://killis.org.uk/ Species mentioned in this episode: Fundulopanchax gardneri (gold and P82) Nothobranchius rachovii Aphyosemion australe Paracheirodon simulans – Green Neon Tetra Trigonostigma espei – Lambchop Rasbora Trigonostigma heteromorpha – Harley Quinn Rasbora Epiplatys annulatus Ladigesia roloffi – Jelly Bean Tetra Nothobranchius patrizii Anablepsoides Diapteron Aphyosemion striatum Nothobranchius guentheri ‘zanzibar’ Aphyosemion splendopleure Chromaphyosemion bivittatum Fundulopanchax sjoestedti

    49 min
4.8
out of 5
99 Ratings

About

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.

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