Exploration & Conservation

The Carpet Plant Icon By Dr. Nataraj J Estimated read time: 4-5 minutes Among aquatic plants, few have attained legendary status quite like Glossostigma elatinoides, affectionately known as “Glosso.” This small yet dynamic species redefined the aesthetics of planted aquaria, introducing a new dimension of scale and naturalism with its ability to form lush, emerald-green carpets that resemble miniature terrestrial meadows beneath the surface of the water. Native to the wetland

Wild Betta Chronicles By Ganpat Parab Estimated read time: 4-5 minutes We are excited to launch a new series on Wild Bettas - the true ancestors of the modern betta. Each article will explore a unique species or form, their behaviour, habitats, and what makes them special in the aquarium world. To begin the series, we feature a remarkable wild-hybrid that has taken the hobby by storm: The Alien Betta, presented by Ganpat Parab of GBettas, who has over 20 years of experience w

Tidepools of Havelock: Cradles of the Andaman Reef By Beta Mahatvaraj Estimated read time: 4-5 minutes On Havelock Island in the Andaman archipelago, the ocean leaves behind more than just sand when the tide withdraws. In the volcanic rock lining the shoreline, it leaves tidepools - quiet, shimmering pockets that act as miniature worlds. For aquarium enthusiasts, these tidepools offer a chance to look closely at a natural nano-reef. They are compact, rich in life, heavily ada

By Natasha Khardina Estimated read time: 5-6 minutes The Biotope Aquarium Contest 2025 (BAC2025) has once again carried forward a quiet revolution in the aquarium world: transforming precise field research of natural habitats into public education. Instead of rewarding artistic layouts alone, BAC demands scientific documentation - photographs of the original location, species lists, substrate analysis and systematic notes - and celebrates those who faithfully translate wild h

Japanese koi, also known as Nishikigoi, and the ten varieties that define the hobby. By Siddharth D'Souza Estimated read time: 5-6 minutes Today we dive deep into the world of Japanese koi, also known as Nishikigoi, and explore some of the most significant varieties that make this living art form so magical. There are hundreds of koi varieties, differentiated by colour, pattern, scale type and even shape - but don't worry, we'll stick to the ten that are most foundational and

The Little Star of Aquascaping By Dr. Nataraj J Estimated read time: 4–5 minutes Pogostemon helferi is one of the most captivating and visually distinctive plants in the world of aquascaping. Known locally in Thailand as “Dao-noi,” meaning “little star,” the species is admired for its compact rosettes, deeply curled leaves, and vivid green coloration. While it may not be as well known as some other aquatic plants, it is valued by aquascapers for its natural look, easy growth,

New species are being discovered in the wild with increasing frequency. Across these stories, rediscovery, new descriptions and closer examination reveal how much remains to be understood about India's freshwater biodiversity. By V. Balaji Estimated read time: 4-5 minutes New fish species are being discovered in the wild, often in habitats under increasing threats. In this feature, The Weekend Aquarist follows several recent discoveries and rediscoveries, exploring the habita

At a time when aquascaping is often driven by aesthetics alone, voices like Dhiraj Shetty's are helping the hobby pause, reflect, and mature. The Weekend Aquarist caught up with Dhiraj Shetty, founder of Mangalore Aquatics and co-founder of the Indian Biotope Championship (IBC), to discuss entrepreneurship, the importance of biotope aquariums, and how celebrating Indian ecosystems can redefine the future of fishkeeping in the country. By Amar Salvi, Editor — The Weekend Aquar

By Rahul G. Kumar Estimated read time: 8–9 minutes In addition to a number of vividly coloured dwarf caridean shrimp, India is also home to a number of large growing, long armed, and often beautifully coloured river prawns of the genus Macrobrachium. The name Macrobrachium means "big arm," and members of the genus invariably bear a prominent pair of pincers, which are often enlarged in males. Found in the wild in a variety of habitats from hill-streams to brackish water lagoo

New fish species are discovered frequently in the wild, often in habitats under increasing threats. In Into the Wild: New Fish Discoveries, Balaji Vijayakrishnan takes us into the field, sharing firsthand accounts of newly described species, their habitats, and why these discoveries matter for conservation, and the aquarium community alike. By V. Balaji Estimated read time: 8–9 minutes A Slippery Comeback: Rediscovery of Moringua hodgarti from Arunachal Pradesh Authors: Nilan

Andrew Huang's journey from childhood aquariums to following Amano's Legacy By Amar Salvi, Editor — The Weekend Aquarist Estimated read time: 6–7 minutes Andrew Huang is a psychiatrist finishing his final year of residency in New Jersey. He is also, by his own account, someone people frequently mistake for Bruce Lee — a comparison he shrugs off, with a nod to the one lesson he thinks actually transfers from the dojo to the fish room: consistency. “In his practice he was disci

Abhisek Mishra has no proper camera, no boat, and no formal training in ichthyology. What he has is an Android phone, a two-foot hand net, and a habit of wading into Odisha's rivers until something new swims by — a habit that has already put two fish species on the scientific record, and one of them, already, on the list of the threatened. By Amar Salvi, Editor — The Weekend Aquarist Estimated read time: 7–9 minutes Abhisek Mishra's introduction to the hobby didn't begin with

A 1951 shrimp record. Seven decades of doubt. And a photograph that reopened a case science had all but closed. This is the story of how Atyopsis spinipes was found again. By The Weekend Aquarist Estimated read time: 3–4 minutes The Bamboo Shrimp is familiar to aquarists around the world. With its fan-like feeding appendages, peaceful temperament, and fascinating filter-feeding behaviour, it has long been a favourite among shrimp keepers. Yet for decades, few realised that In

Somewhere in the rocky hill streams of the Eastern Ghats, water drops over granite in a quiet cascade, pools beneath the shade of forest cover, and moves on toward the plains below. It looks, at first, like any other forest stream. Beneath the surface, it is holding onto something far older than the landscape around it. By Karthickeyen K.S. Estimated read time: 3–4 minutes The Eastern Ghats run for more than 1,750 kilometres along India's eastern flank, cutting through Odisha

The African Water Fern — Elegance in the Aquascape By Dr. Nataraj R, PhD Estimated read time: 3–4 minutes Among the many aquatic ferns cultivated for freshwater aquariums, Bolbitis heudelotii occupies a unique position — thanks to its graceful appearance, slow growth, and remarkable adaptability. Commonly known as the African Water Fern or Congo Fern, it has become one of the most admired plants in nature-style aquascaping. Unlike most rooted aquatic plants, this fern doesn't

New Fish Discoveries By Balaji Vijayakrishnan Estimated read time: 6–7 minutes By his own admission, Balaji Vijayakrishnan has a completely unreasonable obsession with catfishes. While other people marvel at coral reefs, obsess over charismatic megafauna, or drool over colourful fish, he finds himself emotionally invested in barbels and spines — convinced, only half-jokingly, that catfish have more personality than anything else swimming. This month, true to that obsession, h

By Balaji Vijayakrishnan Estimated read time: 6–7 minutes Deep below Asia's surface flows a world few hobbyists ever imagine. Once considered biological curiosities, subterranean fishes are now being discovered at an accelerating pace, with new species turning up in caves and underground habitats across India, China, and Indonesia. For anyone fascinated by oddballs, these fish represent the ultimate specialists — animals shaped entirely by darkness. Barbodes klapanunggalensis

Balaji is a corporate professional, and an independent researcher working on the taxonomy and systematics of native Indian fish, with a special interest in catfish. By Balaji Vijayakrishnan Estimated read time: 5–6 minutes Few freshwater fishes inspire as much awe as those of the genus Bagarius. Known variously as goonch, devil catfish, or giant catfish, these riverine giants occupy a unique place in ichthyology — and as it turns out, science has only recently begun to unders

A Conversation with Steve Lockett, Mahseer Trust (UK) By The Weekend Aquarist Estimated read time: 7–8 minutes Mahseer are often celebrated as India's ultimate sport fish — but that label barely scratches the surface. Drawing on over five decades of freshwater conservation work, Steve Lockett dismantles common myths around mahseer conservation, explains why stocking often does more harm than good, and argues that saving mahseer is inseparable from saving India's rivers themse

A Quiet, Natural Stem Plant with Subtle Charm By Dr. Nataraj J, PhD — Still Water Aquatics, Plants Division Estimated read time: 8–9 minutes In the evolving world of aquascaping, plants with fine texture and delicate structure are increasingly valued for their ability to create depth, scale, and natural aesthetics. Among such species, Hedyotis salzmannii has gained recognition as a subtle yet highly effective plant for midground and background compositions. Though not as wide