Water Colors Aquarium Gallery

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.***



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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)

Amy, Ben and Calder invite Craig Forist to table to dicuss the recent decline in aquarium club activity, specifically around breeder programs. With many different external factors like space, budget, time, and social anxiety pushing the average hobbist away, how do we keep these programs fair for the beginners and challenging for the seasoned breeder? This week, the team has come up with some interesting take aways and solutions for this very issue. Join your local aquarium club and let us know your next big (or little) breeding projects!



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Sources mentioned in this episode:

Grand Valley Aquarium Club – https://gvaquariumclub.org/

West Michigan Marine Aquarium Society – https://www.facebook.com/groups/298576849030426/

South West Michigan Aquarium Society – https://www.swmas.club/

Michiana Aquarium Society – https://mas.fish/

Missouri Aquarium Society – https://missouriaquariumsociety.com/

Amercian Livebearer Association – https://livebearers.org/

American Kilifish Association – https://aka.org/

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

Ohio Cichlid Association – https://www.ohiocichlid.com/

American Cichlid Association – https://www.cichlid.org/

Calder leads the Water Colors team on a deep dive into Ricefish. Ricefish have been in the aquarium hobby for a very long time and often are overlooked as being boring or common. In recent years, there has been an uptake in interest abroad leading to many new, interesting colors and body/fin shapes. Whether you are looking for a new addition to your tub pond or want a new fish for your micro-community tank, there may be a species of Ricefish for you.



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Sources mentioned in this episode:

Japanese Medaka Association – https://jma-medaka.com/

American Medaka Association – https://americanmedaka.org/

Species mentioned in this episode:

Oryzias latipes  – Japanese Ricefish

Oryzias sakaizumii – Nothern Medaka Ricefish

Types of Common Colors/ Patterns:

Youkihi – Common orange ricefish

Miyuki – Metallic, bright, neon ricefish

Lame – Metallic, iridescent speckled scale patterned ricefish

Kohaku – Koi patterned ricefish

Oryzias dancena – Indian or “Dancing” Ricefish

Oryzias javanicus – Javan Ricefish

Oryzias minutillus – Dwarf Medaka Ricefish

Oryzias mekongensis – Mekong Ricefish

Oryzias sinensis –  Chinese Ricefish

Oryzias woworae – Daisy’s Ricefish

Oryzias eversi – “Livebearing” Ricefish

Oryzias soerotoi

Oryzias marmoratus

Oryzias profundicola – Yellow-finned Ricefish

This week’s episode isn’t like the usual topics we explore. This week, the Water Colors team calls you action to help us make the world of fish keeping a more hospitable place for new aquarists. Beginner Facebook pages, Reddit forums, YouTube influencers, and social media in general have spread misinformation through this hobby like wildfire and often meet beginners with unkind, unhelpful responses. They have only deepen the barriers to entry. Let’s change that by responding with respect and kindness, citing your sources, and encouraging people through their mistakes with helpful suggestions, shared experience and love for this hobby.

If you are really cool, follow us and join us in the conversations using any of the platforms listed below.



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

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You walk into your local fish store (LFS) and may have thought to yourself, “That’s a boring brown fish. Why would anyone want that?” Well, the Water Colors team is here to tell you why. For what these fish may lack in bright colors, they make up for in cool behaviors and personalities. Ben, Amy and Calder talk about five of their favorite brown fish and what makes these fish so cool and unique.



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/

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Join our growing community on Discord! https://go.watercolors.shop/discord



Sources mentioned in this episode:

Seriously Fish – https://seriouslyfish.com/
Inaturalist – https://www.inaturalist.org/
Fish Base – https://www.fishbase.se/search.php

Species mentioned in this episode:
Pseudosphromenus dayi – Brown Spike-tailed Paradise Fish
Betta edithae – Edith’s Betta
Sphaerichthys selatanesis – Crossband Chocolate Gourami
Garra rufa – Doctor fish, Pedicure fish, or Red Garra
Rhinotocinclus isabelae – Bumblebee Otocinclus
Loricariichthys brunneus – Whiptail Catfish
Crenuchus spilurus – Sailfin Tetra
Micropoecilia picta – Swamp Guppy
Nanobagrus fuscus
Uaru amphiacanthoides – Triangle Cichlid
Homaloptera – Lizard or Gecko Loaches
Rhinogobius brunneus – Amur Goby
Macrognathus terminates
Microsynodontis batesii – African Bumblebee Catfish
Betta brownorum – Brown’s Betta