This episode covers the genus centropyge, as well as some new taxonomic breakthroughs that have rewritten how we classify marine angelfish. Many of the species that we once knew as centropyge are now split into a handful of new genera, as well as some unclassified complexes. Join us as we struggle through the taxonomic nightmare that is marine angelfish. Isn’t taxonomy fun?

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Sources referenced in this episode:

• Evolution of pygmy angelfishes: Recent divergences, introgression, and the usefulness of color in taxonomy: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S105579031400030X
• Angelfishes, Paper Tigers, and the Devilish Taxonomy of the Centropyge flavissima Complex: https://academic.oup.com/jhered/article/107/7/647/2622951

Species mentioned in this episode:

• Centropyge
  • Flavissima complex
    • Centropyge flavissima, Lemonpeel angelfish
    • Centropyge eibli, Eibli angelfish
    • Centropyge vrolikii, Halfblack angelfish
    • Centropyge cocosensis, Cocopeel angelfish
  • Bicolor complex
    • Centropyge bicolor, Bicolor angelfish
    • Centropyge heraldi, Herald’s angelfish
    • Centropyge nox, Midnight angelfish
    • Centropyge deborae, Blue velvet angelfish
    • Centropyge woodheadi, Woodhead’s angelfish
    • Centropyge flavipectoralis, Yellowfin angelfish
  • Outliers
    • Centropyge multispinis, Bluefin angelfish
    • Centropyge tibicen, Keyhole angelfish
    • Centropyge aurantia, Golden angelfish
    • Centropyge nigriocellus, Blackspot angelfish
• Parocentropyge
  • Parocentropyge boylei, Peppermint angelfish
  • Paracentropyge multifasciata, Multibar angelfish
  • Parocentropyge venusta, Purple mask angelfish
• Apolemichthys
  • Apolemichthys trimaculatus, Flagfin angelfish
  • Apolemichthys xanthurus, Indian yellowtail angelfish
  • Apolemichthys xanthotis, Red Sea agelfish
  • Apolemichthys kingi, Tiger angelfish
  • Apolemichthys xanthopunctatus, Goldflake angelfish
• Genicanthus
  • Genicanthus lamakri, Lamark’s angelfish
  • Genicanthus melanospilos, Spotbreast angelfish
  • Genicanthus caudovittatus, Swallowtail angelfish
  • Genicanthus watanabei, Watanabe’s angelfish
  • Genicanthus semicinctus, Halfbanded angelfish
• Xiphipops
  • Xiphipops acanthops, African flameback angelfish
  • Xiphipops argi, Atlantic pygmy angelfish
  • Xiphipops aurantonotus, Brazilian flameback angelfish
  • Xiphipops resplendens, Resplendent angelfish
  • Xphipops fisheri-flavicauda
• Bispinnosa complex
  • “Centropyge bispinosa”, Coral beauty angelfish
  • “Centropyge ferrugata”, Rusty angelfish
  • “Centropyge shepardi”, Shepard’s pygmy angelfish
• “Centropyge loricula”, Flame angelfish
• “Centropyge potteri“, Potter’s angelfish
• “Centropyge interrupta”, Interruptus angelfish
• Multicolor complex
  • “Centropyge multicolor”, Multicolor angelfish
  • “Centropyge debelius”, Debelius angelfish
  • “Centropyge nahackyi”, Nahacky’s angelfish
  • “Centropyge hotumatua”, Blackear angelfish
  • “Centropyge joculator”, Joculator angelfish

This episode was recorded with a live audience, including members of the South West Michigan Aquarium Society (SWMAS)! The Water Colors Team is joined by some local club members to discuss their favorite types of aquarists that frequent club meeting and local fish stores. This discussion also aims to emphasize the importance of club participation, and how you can contribute! If you are looking for a club to join, contact us and we’ll help you find one.

South West Michigan Aquarium Society (SWMAS): https://www.swmas.club/

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In this episode, the Water Colors team focuses on some fun, measurable achievements that aquarists can feel proud of. Whether you’re an experienced fishkeeper, or brand new to the game – here are some fun benchmarks to consider as you level up in the aquarium hobby. From the first time you see baby fish in your tank, to winning an award for your aquascapes or club accomplishments, these goals can be different for everyone! It’s important to celebrate your own wins!

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In this brand new episode format, the Water Colors team is blindly reacting to aquarium stories told by the editor. The topics range from shocking aquarium horror stories, to tank disasters, and even fishy miracles. There is never a shortage of ridiculous posts in aquarium forums – so if you like this content, be sure to let your hosts know! All posts referenced in this episode will be linked below.

Join the discussion on the Water Colors Aquarium Gallery Podcast Listeners Facebook group! https://www.facebook.com/groups/788428861825086/

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Online stories referenced in this episode:

• Seachem tab ingredients: https://www.reddit.com/r/PlantedTank/s/p5FkFQzLYR
• Contagious Java fern galls: https://www.reddit.com/r/PlantedTank/s/ebsERaWW2c
• Goldfish survives 2hrs out of water: https://www.reddit.com/r/Goldfish/s/24nfBV0hMm
• Wild snake in aquarium: https://www.reddit.com/r/Aquariums/s/Gg4y9G8XFn
• CO2 tank explosion: https://www.reddit.com/r/Aquariums/s/SaVxPHbvBg
• Protecting aquarium from sonic booms: https://www.reddit.com/r/Aquariums/s/vbHZI5URHB
• Is it ok to take my neighbors tank? (No link)
• Bowfisher removes Koi from MI lake: https://www.mlive.com/environment/2024/07/whoa-bowfishers-remove-world-record-koi-from-michigan-lake.html
• Woke up to an empty tank but no water on floor? (No link)
• My crocea clam killed my yellow tang: https://www.reddit.com/r/ReefTank/s/UYcinQXr0Q
• Granuloma caused by aquarium: https://www.reddit.com/r/Aquariums/s/altB9LztgV
• Hippo tang eats glue: https://www.reddit.com/r/ReefTank/s/akcP9LTCOM
• My gulper cat ate my Arowana: https://www.reddit.com/r/AquariumMemes/s/0c0vigCHyG
• Do not underestimate the lethality of mystery snails: https://www.reddit.com/r/Aquariums/s/ha9ROjgv30

This episode is a deep dive into cephalopods and how they may (or may not) fit into aquariums. Charles and the Water Colors Team discuss a variety of species, including cuttlefish, octopods, and more! These organisms are often thought of for their remarkable intelligence and ability to problem solve. This same intelligence can also make them challenging to keep in captivity. Many cephalopods have extremely short lifespans, which adds to the challenge of keeping them as pets. Join us as we learn about some of the most fascinating organisms in our oceans!

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Species mentioned in this episode:

• Sepia bandensis, ‘dwarf cuttlefish’
• Metasepia pfefferi, ‘flamboyant cuttlefish’
• Euprymna berryi, ‘hummingbird bobtail squid’
• Octopus vulgaris, ‘common octopus’
• Octopus chierchiae, ‘zebra octopus’
• Octopus bimaculoides
• Octopus bimaculatus
• Enteroctopus dofleini, ‘giant pacific octopus’

In this episode, the Water Colors team shares their favorite species of rainbowfish. Best known for the dazzling colors they exhibit, there is most certainly a rainbowfish for every aquarist. From larger melanotaenia species that can easily fill out a 90 gallon aquarium, to small and flashy pseudomugils fit for blackwater or even brackish tanks! Many rainbowfish are notorious for taking a while to show off their true colors, but we promise that good things take time!  Let’s learn about some of the team’s favorite species of rainbowfish.

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Species mentioned in this episode:

• Rhadinocentrus ornatus, Ornate rainbowfish
• Pseudomugil mellis, Honey blue-eye rainbowfish
• Melanotaenia praecox, Neon dwarf rainbowfish
• Bedotia madagascarensis, Madagascar rainbowfish
• Pseudomugil cyanodorsalis, Neon blue-eye rainbowfish
• Iriatherina werneri, Threadfin rainbowfish
• Melanotaenia garylangei
• Pseudomugil gertrudae, Spotted blue-eye rainbowfish
• Pseudomugil luminatus, Red neon blue-eye rainbowfish
• Chilatherina alleni, Waponga rainbowfish
• Pseudomugil signifer, Paific blue-eye rainbowfish
• Melanotaenia boesmani, Boesmani rainbowfish
• Melanotaenia lacustris, Turquoise rainbowfish
• Melanotaenia lodigesi, Sulawesi rainbowfish
• Melanotaenia macculochi

In this episode, we discuss invasive species education and outreach with Paige Filice of RIPPLE. This campaign aims to work with aquarium retailers to ensure Michigan’s waterways are protected against invasive species. We’ll learn all about some of our state’s species of concern, as well as what we can do as a retailer to better inform our customers. We also hope this episode can share how hobbyists at home can get better informed.

You can learn more about the RIPPLE campaign at https://www.canr.msu.edu/invasive_species/ripple/

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Let’s face it – the aquarium industry causes a lot of harm. From invasive species to over harvesting, the need for regulation in this industry is greater than ever. In this episode, the Water Colors team discusses some recently passed and proposed regulations, as well as dissecting some of the process behind their creation and implementation. Often, hobbyists panic at the thought of being regulated – with some of the loudest voices calling for outrage and opposition. The reality is that we need regulation; for the sake of our planet, the animals we love, and the longevity of the aquarium industry.  We hope to encourage listeners to not only accept this concept, but also learn how we can all have a seat at the table and discuss our opinions.

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In this new episode format, the Water Colors team each comes to the table with their own mystery topic. The topic is randomly selected live, and the discussion is led by one host. This episode is led by Charles, discussing live foods and their use in aquariums. Live food cultures are an excellent way to feed your fish, and a great way to encourage breeding and to feed fry. There are countless varieties of species you can culture at home, ranging from tiny copepods to large roaches – and everything in between. Some of these cultures are easy projects with minimal effort needed, while others are tricky to pull off and potentially not worth the hassle. Sustaining your own live food cultures at home can be a great way to save money and minimize waste.

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In this new episode format, the Water Colors team each comes to the table with their own mystery topic. The topic is randomly selected live, and the discussion is led by one host. This episode is led by Ben, discussing a variety of saltwater fish that don’t seem to be successful in hobbyist reef tanks. This is meant to be a thought experiment – dissecting some possible theories on why some of these fish don’t do well in captivity. Many of these species are readily available in the hobby despite their low success rate in home aquariums.

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Species mentioned in this epsiode:

• Moorish idol, Zanclus cornutus
• Melon butterfly, Chaetodon trifasciatus
• Ribbon eel, Rhinomuraena quaesita
• Purple queen anthias, Pseudanthias tuka
• Tamarin wrasses, genus Anampses
• Regal Angel, Pygoplites diacanthus

In this new episode format, the Water Colors team each comes to the table with their own mystery topic. The topic is randomly selected live, and the discussion is led by one host. This episode is led by Amy, discussing general cichlid compatibility. These are some of the most common questions we receive at the gallery; “can this go with that?” This is an extremely broad question, given that cichlids are one of the largest families of fish! We’ll discuss some common pairing dos and don’ts, the 3 metrics for compatibility, and some great examples of cichlid focused aquariums.

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Enjoying the show? Support the gallery by shopping aquarium plants, merch, equipment, and more! https://watercolorsaquariumgallery.com/

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