Researchers, Kunjulakshmi, Mac Lean and Dr Prakash Sanjeevi identified a new Macrobrachium irwini shrimp species in Karnataka. Learn how this discovery honours Steve Irwin. They recently named a unique freshwater shrimp found in Karnataka after Steve Irwin, inspired by the animal's distinct crocodile-like markings. Watch the full interview with Kunjulakshmi K on The Weekend Aquarist Podcast!

Join me as we catch up with Kunjulakshmi, a Shrimp Researcher! How do you tell one freshwater shrimp species from another? Why do some species live in one stream but not the next? This Saturday on SNL with The Weekend Aquarist, we’ll explore those questions with K. Kunjulakshmi (Lakshmi), a PhD. Research Scholar at the Centre for Climate Change Studies, Sathyabama Institute of Science and Technology, Chennai. Lakshmi studies the diversity, ecology, and distribution of freshwater shrimps. Her work also looks at what happens inside a shrimp as its environment changes, and what those responses can tell us about conserving species under pressure. Alongside publishing in peer-reviewed journals, she shares her research through education and public outreach. Join us live this Saturday (7th November) at 8 PM IST. Bring your questions about freshwater shrimps and the fieldwork involved in studying them.

Join me as we catch up with Dr Nataraj, the Plant Doc on Saturday Night Live. Ludwigia sphaerocarpa: An Emerging Treasure for the Planted Aquarium From North American wetlands to planted aquariums—this intriguing plant has more to it than meets the eye! Did you know its name means “round-fruited,” referring to its spherical seed capsules? Or that its foliage can develop warm golden, bronze and reddish-orange hues under the right conditions? Join Dr Nataraj—the Plant Doc—on SNL with TWA as we explore what makes this uncommon plant special, its aquascaping potential, and how to help it thrive. 📅 Saturday, 24th October | 8 PM IST 📺 The Weekend Aquarist YouTube channel Bring your plant questions! #TheWeekendAquarist #PlantDoc #LudwigiaSphaerocarpa #Aquascaping Here's a gift—a complete issue of The Weekend Aquarist, complimentary, on us. India's only aquarium magazine, delivered to your inbox. No strings: watch a quick hello from the editor, drop your email, and it's yours to keep. 👉 Claim it here: https://www.weekendaquarist.in/youtube

Get ready to explore fascinating aquarium exhibits and rare species on this episode of The Weekend Aquarist podcast. Join us for an exclusive guided tour of diverse displays at Aquarium Paradise, Bengaluru, featuring a wide range of marine life. We discuss how to care for and observe these unique creatures, offering a clear look at what it takes to maintain these aquatic environments. Our conversation highlights specific specimens, including the striking Araipama and the graceful movement of jellyfish displays. This session is for anyone interested in the technical and aesthetic work behind one of India's best Public Aquarium exhibits. And here's a gift from The Weekend Aquarist—a complete issue of The Weekend Aquarist, complimentary, on us. India's only aquarium magazine, delivered to your inbox. No strings: watch a quick hello from the editor, drop your email, and it's yours to keep. 👉 Claim it here: https://www.weekendaquarist.in/youtube Timestamps 00:00 – Welcome to Aquarium Paradise (Bangalore) 01:10 – Egyptian Reception & Theme Walkthrough 02:11 – Rainforest Zone & Alligator Exhibit 04:00 – Butterfly Koi & Goldfish 04:42 – Malawi Cichlids Exhibit 06:47 – Dwarf Cichlids, Gouramis & Tiger Barbs 07:24 – Elephant Nose Fish & In-House Theming 08:51 – Natural Terrarium Exhibit 09:54 – Rare Snakehead (Channa amphibius) 10:39 – Oscar Fish Exhibit 11:21 – Senegal Bichir & Discus Aquascape 12:29 – Freshwater Stingrays & Feeding 13:52 – Glass Catfish School 14:50 – Giant Snakeheads (Channa micropeltes) 16:09 – Sand Waterfall & Miss Kerala (Denison Barb) 17:56 – Infinity Mirror Jellyfish Room 21:16 – Marine Section & Touch Pool (Rays & Bamboo Sharks) 24:18 – India's Longest Underwater Glass Tunnel (180 ft) 25:10 – Mermaid Viewing Gallery & Marine Life 28:40 – Final Thoughts & Conclusion

Eagle rays in #nammabengaluru? Yup! This is at Aquarium Paradise, Bengaluru! This is an exhibit you must take time to watch quietly. Watch the graceful movement of eagle rays and discover how these majestic creatures behave in their natural home. Rays in the wild grow significantly larger than what we typically see in public aquariums. These fascinating marine life specimens can also breach the water surface, a behaviour that highlights their agility. Watch the full video of our guided tour at Aquarium Paradise, releasing today, 20th October, on The Weekend Aquarist channel. Click "Notify me" and don't forget to subscribe!

Get a glimpse of the rare Tasselled Wobblegong shark, endemic to the waters around Raja Ampat, Indonesia, and parts of Australia. Watch Dr Sid share his surprise when he came across this unusual shark waiting in ambush on the seafloor, so well camouflaged among the corals! Watch the full interview on The Weekend Aquarist Podcast!

Raja Ampat's astounding Montipora colony! Watch as Dr Sid shares his experience diving over kilometres of montipora at Raja Ampat's coral paradise. Join us on The Weekend Aquarist as we explore the beauty of scuba diving and vibrant marine ecosystems with Dr. Sid. We are going reefing to witness the intricate balance of coral reefs and the diverse species that inhabit them. This session features Dr. Sid, an orthopaedic surgeon who balances his medical career with a deep passion for the ocean. We share footage of his latest adventures and highlight the critical importance of these habitats. Whether you are an experienced aquarist or just fascinated by the world beneath the waves, this episode provides a unique perspective on marine life. We discuss the stories behind his underwater photography and the technical side of capturing these remote environments. Watch the full interview on The Weekend Aquarist Podcast.

Join me as we catch up with Dr Sid, the Orthopaedic Scuba Diver, on Saturday Night Live. Surgeon on land. An explorer beneath the waves. This Saturday on SNL with TWA, join us for “Reefs, Fishes & Diving Adventures” with Dr. Sid — The Orthopaedic Scuba Diver! An orthopaedic surgeon by profession and an ocean explorer by passion, Dr Sid balances the precision of the operating room with the freedom of the underwater world. Through Sid. Scuba, he shares his love for adventure, marine life, and underwater photography. From vibrant coral reefs and schooling barracudas to remote dive sites across the Andaman Islands and beyond, we’ll explore his diving experiences, memorable marine encounters, and the stories behind his underwater photographs. Reefing Around the World with Dr. Siddharth Allahbadia Amar Salvi talks with Dr Siddharth Allahbadia, an orthopaedic surgeon and experienced scuba diver, about the underwater worlds he has explored across Raja Ampat, Sipadan, the Maldives, Fua Mulah, Havelock, and Lakshadweep. The episode is a visual tour of reefs, sharks, turtles, manta rays, coral systems, and rare marine encounters, with a strong focus on why reef conservation and protected waters matter. We discuss Sid’s diving journey, what makes each destination unique, and how marine ecosystems change with depth, current, tourism, and protection. Key topics Sid’s diving journey, from his first certification in 2009 to 155 logged dives. Raja Ampat: Clownfish, thriving coral colonies, a green turtle, and a rare tasselated wobbegong shark. Sid also reflects on the effects of increased tourism. Sipadan: Protected waters, limited dive permits, large schools of fish, reef sharks, and the rare Barracuda Vortex. The Maldives: Liveaboard diving, manta rays, and a night dive with nurse sharks near Alimatha Jetty. Fua Mulah: Tiger sharks, silver tips, a pregnant tiger shark, and the ethical questions around baiting and its effects on animal behavior. Havelock: Healthy coral, fire clownfish, and a rare daytime sighting of octopuses mating. Lakshadweep: Clear water, schools of fish, nurse sharks, and recovering coral patches. Andamans and Lakshadweep: How their coral life, topography, and water conditions compare. Amar’s first scuba dive in Anilao—and how initial nerves gave way to the feeling of entering another world. Timestamps 00:00 - Introducing the reefing episode 05:16 - How Sid got into scuba diving 06:35 - Raja Ampat’s clownfish and coral paradise 07:21 - Why Raja Ampat is called the last paradise 08:23 - Getting to Raja Ampat 09:07 - Montipora coral and schools of fish 10:36 - Damsels in an Acropora colony 12:20 - Green turtle encounter 13:24 - Clear water and lionfish 14:34 - Tasselated wobbegong shark 15:55 - Lobster and macro life in Raja Ampat 17:37 - Introducing Sipadan 18:19 - Sipadan’s protected waters and dive marshals 19:44 - White tip reef shark 21:02 - The Barracuda Vortex 23:22 - Bumphead parrotfish and schools of jacks 25:32 - Maldives liveaboard and manta rays 27:07 - Night diving with nurse sharks 29:42 - Fua Mulah and tiger shark diving 31:05 - Tiger sharks and their reputation 33:20 - Pregnant tiger shark sighting 34:29 - Fua Mulah’s reef and whale shark encounter 36:22 - Havelock and India’s coral life 38:08 - Fire clownfish and octopus mating 40:20 - Lakshadweep’s reefs and schools of fish 42:35 - Comparing Andamans and Lakshadweep 43:46 - Nurse shark near a cave 45:29 - Lionfish and an advanced diving course 47:25 - Amar’s first scuba dive in Anilao 50:50 - Sid’s early diving photos and training 53:44 - Closing thoughts on diving and conservation Whether you’re a diver, an aquarist, or simply curious about life beneath the waves, bring your questions! #SNLwithTWA #TheWeekendAquarist #SidScuba #ScubaDiving #MarineLife #UnderwaterPhotography #AndamanIslands Here's a gift—a complete issue of The Weekend Aquarist, complimentary, on us. India's only aquarium magazine, delivered to your inbox. No strings: watch a quick hello from the editor, drop your email, and it's yours to keep. 👉 Claim it here: https://www.weekendaquarist.in/youtube