Water Colors Aquarium Gallery

*** 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.



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

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.



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

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.



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:

Betta International Congress – https://www.ibcbettas.org/

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].



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:

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.***



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:

The Crypt Pages – https://cryptocoryneworld.org/
Michigan Invasive Species – https://www.michigan.gov/invasives/id-report/plants/aquatic
RIPPLE: Reduce Invasive Pet and PLant Escapes – https://www.michigan.gov/invasives/take-action/landowners-gardeners-pond-owners/ripple

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)