To wrap up our official Killifish Month, the Water Colors team welcomes Dave Hemmerlein as a special guest! Dave is a lifelong hobbyist, killifish expert, and 40+ year aquarium club member. He is active in both the Michiana Aquarium Society and the Southwest Michigan Aquarium Society. We are honored to have Dave join us for an interview, where he shares his diverse experience in keeping, breeding, and collecting killifish of all varieties.
The Killifish Karnival/Tropical Magic show: https://mas.fish/society-events/killifish-karnival/
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/
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Michiana Aquarium Society: https://mas.fish/
Southwest Michigan Aquarium Society: https://www.swmas.club/
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1:23:49
208. Dirt-Spawning Killifish
To continue Killifish Month, the Water Colors team is back to discuss dirt-spawning killis! These varieties of killifish spawn in or over substrate. Hobbyists often use small containers of bark or peat to encourage this breeding behavior. Many of these varieties of killifish are incredibly easy to keep, and can be remarkably beautiful. The team discusses species profiles, care, and shares stories of their own experiences. Which varieties of killifish do you want to keep?
To learn more about the upcoming Killifish Karnival/Tropical Magic event (3/29/2025 – 3/30/2025) visit: https://mas.fish/society-events/killifish-karnival/
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
Resources mentioned in this episode:
https://aka.org/
https://wildnothos.wixsite.com/wildnothos
https://www.killiclubdefrance.org/
https://killis.org.uk/
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1:29:35
207. Mop-Spawning Killifish
To continue Killifish month, the Water Colors team is back to discuss mop-spawning killifish! This distinction is given to killifish species that breed in moss/plant mats, which aquarists often replicate with yarn “mops” that are easily removed and combed for eggs. They make excellent project fish and are incredibly adaptable to various temperatures and parameters. They can be kept in small tanks, making them the perfect fish for those with limited space. Did we mention that some of these species are, in our opinion, the most beautiful freshwater fish of all time? The hosts discuss their favorite species, care requirements, and personal experiences keeping mop-spawning killis.
To learn more about the upcoming Killifish Karnival/Tropical Magic event (3/29/2025 – 3/30/2025) visit: https://mas.fish/society-events/killifish-karnival/
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
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1:16:31
206. Killifish Biotopes
To kick off killifish month, the Water Colors team is discussing biotope examples based around some of our favorite killifish! These examples focus on the native habitats of these killifish species. Some examples include specifics such as tank size, substrate, plants, decor, and other tankmates. We have biotope examples from all around the world, replicating lakes, rivers, vernal pools, and even rice paddies. Which biotope would you want to setup?
To learn more about the upcoming Killifish Karnival/Tropical Magic event (3/29/2025 – 3/30/2025) visit: https://mas.fish/society-events/killifish-karnival/
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
Biotopes/species mentioned in this episode:
Lake Mai-Ndombe, Congo River Basin
Poropanchax brichardi, nanochromis transvestitus
Western Coastal India rice paddy
Aplocheilus lineatus, danio rerio
Sierra Leone
Epiplatys annulatus, lagidesia roloffi
Għadira Nature Reserve
Aphanius fasciatus
Mediterranean ‘oasis’
Paraphanius mento
Zanzibar seasonal streams/pools
Nothobranchius guentheri
Ivindo River Drainage, Northern Gabon
Diapteron fulgens, ‘barbus’ hulstaerti
Courantyne River
Laimosemion xiphidius
Coastal Tanzania Vernal Pond
Nothobranchius rubripinnis
Buenos Aires Flooded Pasture, Argentina
Argolebias nigripinnis
Nyong River Watershed
Fundulopanchax sjostedti
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1:25:15
205. Mantis Shrimp
In this highly requested episode, the Water Colors team discusses mantis shrimp from the order stomatopoda. These organisms are some of the most fascinating, interactive, and beautiful pets you can keep in your home aquariums! We cover general care advice, species overviews, and even some fun first-hand stories. This topic is sure to get you interested in keeping a mantis shrimp of your own! Please see below for the link to ‘Roy L. Caldwell’s List of Stomatopods for the Aquarium,’ which was heavily referenced in this episode!
For all species mentioned and more, visit: https://ucmp.berkeley.edu/arthropoda/crustacea/malacostraca/eumalacostraca/royslist/index.html
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
Ireland