This month, The Weekend Aquarist takes you on a journey of discovery—from the hidden streams of India to the inspiring landscapes of Japan.
 
Our cover story, "The Wonderful World of Pethia," sees Balaji Vijaykrishnan unravel the fascinating Pethia gelius complex, shining a spotlight on one of India's most intriguing groups of native barbs.
Travel to Japan with Ashraf Jabarullah as he retraces "In Amano's Footsteps," sharing his experiences from the prestigious ADA CELESTA Journey and reflecting on the philosophy that continues to inspire aquascapers around the world.
 
Join two passionate citizen explorers in the field. Dr Nabojit Das reveals the hidden biodiversity of Assam's aquatic micro-habitats, while Sourav Ghosh chronicles his adventures documenting fish and freshwater ecosystems from the plains of Bengal to the foothills of the Himalayas.
 
Also in this issue, meet Shankar Balasubramanian, founder of Fishy Fridge Magnets, whose field explorations and artistic creations celebrate India's remarkable freshwater biodiversity.
 
Rounding off the issue is another excellent Plant Spotlight by Dr Nataraj, featuring the elegant and timeless Bolbitis heudelotii, a favourite among aquascapers and nature aquarium enthusiasts alike.
 
Packed with stories of exploration, conservation, aquascaping, and native fish, this issue is a celebration of the people and places that make our hobby so rewarding.
 
Print edition shipping starts 11th July.