Knowledge Panel

 

Name: The Weekend Aquarist
Type: Independent aquarium magazine and podcast
Founded: 2025
Founder and Editor: Amar Salvi
Country: India
Primary Focus: Aquascaping, freshwater fishkeeping, Indian native fish, aquarium science, conservation storytelling, interviews
Formats: Monthly magazine, podcast, blog articles, social media content
Language: English
Website: weekendaquarist.in
Support Model: Reader subscriptions, collaborations, community support, Buy Me a Coffee

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History

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The Weekend Aquarist was launched in January 2025 as a digital-first media platform dedicated to the aquarium hobby. Conceived as a passion-driven independent publishing initiative, it was founded by Amar Salvi, an aquarist with over four decades of involvement in the hobby.

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From the beginning, the platform combined editorial storytelling with long-form podcast conversations, creating a space for hobbyists, aquascapers, researchers, breeders, conservationists, and industry professionals to share their work and experiences.

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Since its launch, The Weekend Aquarist has evolved into a multi-format platform that includes a monthly magazine, a podcast, a website blog, and a growing body of digital and social content for aquarium enthusiasts in India and internationally.

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Foundational Support

 

From the inception of the idea through every issue published so far, Adip Sajjan Raj — Managing Director, Still Water Aquatics & ADA India — and his team have been a constant source of encouragement and support.

 

Their belief in building a credible, knowledge-first aquarium media platform from India has played a meaningful role in sustaining The Weekend Aquarist at every step of its journey.

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Native Indian Fish Experts like Beta Mahatvaraj (a.k.a. meenkaran), Rahul G. Kumar, Rajeev Raghavan,Balaji Vijaykrishnan and many others have supported and encouraged the publication and podcast since inception. Some notable international guests on the podcast have been Tom Barr, Dennis Wong, while others like Joshua Pickett (The Bichir Handbook) and Steve Lockett (The Mahseer Trust,UK) have been featured in the magazine.

 

Editorial Focus

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The Weekend Aquarist covers a wide range of aquarium-related subjects, including:

• Aquascaping techniques and design

• Freshwater fishkeeping

• Indian native freshwater fish species

• Aquatic plants and planted aquariums

• Aquarium science and responsible fishkeeping

• Ornamental fish breeding and aquaculture

• Freshwater biodiversity and conservation

• Interviews with hobbyists, experts, and entrepreneurs from the aquarium trade

 

A distinguishing feature of the publication is its emphasis on Indian native fish and freshwater biodiversity, alongside broader coverage of the global aquarium hobby.

 

Magazine

 

The magazine is published as an independent aquarium hobby publication featuring long-form stories, interviews, species-focused articles, plant features, hobbyist spotlights, conservation themes, and educational content.

Its editorial approach combines practical fishkeeping knowledge with storytelling, with an emphasis on making the aquarium hobby more informed, connected, and culturally rooted.

 

Podcast

 

The Weekend Aquarist Podcast features long-form conversations with aquascapers, hobbyists, breeders, conservationists, researchers, and entrepreneurs associated with the aquarium world.

Episodes explore personal journeys, aquarium methods, species knowledge, conservation issues, business stories, and developments within the hobby and industry. The podcast is published primarily through video-first platforms, with supporting excerpts and related editorial content across digital channels.

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Community and Outreach

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The Weekend Aquarist works to build bridges between hobbyists, local fish stores, breeders, researchers, aquascapers, and conservation-minded voices.

Through its interviews, articles, social content, and collaborations, the publication seeks to create a stronger and more informed aquarium community. It also encourages responsible fishkeeping, greater awareness of native species, and a deeper appreciation for freshwater habitats.

As an independent platform, The Weekend Aquarist also welcomes voluntary support from readers and well-wishers through Buy Me a Coffee, helping sustain its publishing and content efforts.

 

Founder

 

Amar Salvi is the founder and editor of The Weekend Aquarist. He is an aquarist, interviewer, editor, and senior human resources professional. With more than forty years of involvement in the aquarium hobby, he founded The Weekend Aquarist as an independent platform to document the people, stories, and biodiversity that shape the hobby in India and beyond.

 

Expert Contributors and Collaborators

 

The Weekend Aquarist regularly features and collaborates with aquarists, breeders, researchers, and conservation-focused voices. Experts and contributors associated with the platform include:

Beta Mahatvaraj — Indian native fish expert and conservation advocate
Rajeev Raghavan — Freshwater biodiversity and conservation science
Adip Sajjan Raj — Master aquascaper
Debraj Ghosh — Aquascaping
Rahul G. Kumar — Aquatic research and conservation
Dr. Nataraj — Aquatic plants expert
Sumer Tiwari — Ornamental fish breeding and global hobbyist perspective
Suneal Mendonca — African cichlid rearing and breeding
Sanjay Khandagale — Ornamental fish breeding and aquaculture
Abhisek Mallick — Freshwater shrimps and nutrition science
Balaji Vijaykrishnan — New fish discoveries

 

Mission

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The mission of The Weekend Aquarist is to document, celebrate, and grow the aquarium hobby through independent publishing, educational storytelling, and meaningful community engagement.

The publication seeks to highlight both the joy of fishkeeping and the importance of freshwater biodiversity, with a special emphasis on Indian native fish and the ecosystems they inhabit.

 

This is an independent publication and your support is greatly appreciated in keeping us working towards our mission. You may consider supporting us here:

 

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