Entrepreneur Spotlight: Dhiraj Shetty,Mangalore Aquatics

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 Aquarist

Estimated read time: 9–10 minutes

An Entrepreneur Spotlight interview — The Weekend Aquarist

Let's Start at the Beginning

Q. What was your first exposure to the aquarium hobby, and at what point did it move from being a passion to becoming Mangalore Aquatics?

A. Mangalore Aquatics was born out of pure passion rather than a carefully drafted business plan. The journey truly began in 2020 with our very first client order — and it was anything but ordinary. The client wanted an aquarium beautifully scaped inside a glass rice cooker, meant as a birthday gift for his daughter's first birthday. Accepting that challenge demanded creativity, precision, and a lot of confidence. When the final setup exceeded expectations, the joy and trust of that satisfied customer became a defining moment for me. That single project proved something important: when passion is paired with dedication, it can create something truly special. That was the moment I realised — this wasn't just a hobby anymore. And that's how Mangalore Aquatics began.

Every Entrepreneur Faces Defining Moments

Q. What were the early challenges you faced while setting up Mangalore Aquatics, and which of those experiences shaped your approach to business the most?

A. The early days of building Mangalore Aquatics were filled with defining tests. One of the biggest challenges was establishing credibility in a highly trust-driven industry. As a new venture, we had to earn the confidence of both suppliers and customers without the advantage of scale or an established reputation. What shaped my approach to business the most was learning that setbacks are not failures — they're feedback. Early mistakes forced us to build stronger systems, remain transparent, and stay deeply connected to what our customers actually needed. Those lessons laid the foundation for a culture built on accountability, consistency, and long-term sustainability.

Values That Shape Mangalore Aquatics

Q. Mangalore Aquatics has built a distinct identity over the years. What core values or philosophies guide the way you run your store and engage with hobbyists today?

A. At Mangalore Aquatics, everything begins with understanding the customer. We take the time to assess their requirements and guide them through tank setup, maintenance routines, fish selection, and even choosing the right feed for their aquarium. We strongly believe that aquascaping is not just a hobby — it's a commitment. That belief influences how we source livestock, how we house them, and how we educate hobbyists. Honesty and transparency are equally important to us. We focus on offering practical, long-term advice rather than pushing quick sales. Our goal is to help hobbyists succeed, not just sell them a product.

The Birth of the Indian Biotope Championship

Q. You are also one of the co-founders of the Indian Biotope Championship. What gap did you see in the Indian aquarium or aquascaping scene that led to the birth of IBC?

A. The Indian aquarium hobby was thriving, but there was a clear gap — there was no structured platform that celebrated authentic, nature-accurate aquascaping, especially biotopes. Aquascaping in India had largely become style-driven rather than ecology-driven. Indian native fish were often overlooked, sometimes even dismissed as "boring" when compared to imported species. There was no serious biotope-focused competition, and very little connection between the hobby and conservation thinking. To take this initiative further, I explained the concept in detail to Dixit, the owner of Unique Driftwood. He was very enthusiastic and happy to collaborate, and that collaboration marked the beginning of the IBC journey. IBC was created to change that. It provided a stage where native fish, plants, substrates, and regional habitats became the heroes — not an afterthought. Indian aquarists needed their own identity, one rooted in our ecology.

As we often say:

"We don't need to copy nature from elsewhere — our nature is extraordinary enough.

Why Biotopes Matter for the Hobby's Growth

Q. Biotope aquariums demand a very different mindset. Why do you believe biotope setups are important for the growth and maturity of the hobby in India?

A. Biotope aquariums ask hobbyists to grow — not just as aquascapers, but as thinkers. They move the hobby from decoration to understanding. They promote ethical fishkeeping and reduce misinformation and trend-chasing. Most importantly, biotopes create aquarists who think deeply about ecosystems, not just layouts. They naturally connect the hobby to education and conservation, making the aquarium a learning space rather than just a display piece.

A Five-Year Vision

Q. Looking ahead, what is your long-term vision for IBC and the Indian aquarium hobby? What would success look like five years from now?

A. For us, the future isn't about bigger events — it's about deeper impact. Five years from now, success would look like IBC becoming a knowledge anchor, not just a competition. It would mean Indian native species gaining lasting respect, strong regional hobbyist communities forming beyond social media, and a hobby that is conservation-aware without being preachy. If we can help build an ecosystem where learning, responsibility, and passion coexist naturally, we'll know we're on the right path.

Read the full story

Read the full story in the magazine:Readers who want to explore the complete interview, along with the full photography from Dhiraj Shetty's tanks, will find it in the December 2025 issue of The Weekend Aquarist.

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