Our Panel of Experts

At The Weekend Aquarist, we believe in the power of shared knowledge and the passion of dedicated experts. Our panel of contributors brings together a wealth of experience, insight, and expertise in the world of aquariums, fishkeeping, and aquatic life.

The Weekend Aquarist is proud to collaborate with a distinguished group of experts who generously share their wisdom. Whether it's through regular articles, special guest contributions, or insightful interviews, their work helps deepen our understanding of the fascinating world beneath the surface.

We are thrilled to announce that Beta Mahatvaraj has joined The Weekend Aquarist as a Panel Contributor and Subject Matter Expert on Indian Native fishes!

With decades of experience, Beta is an esteemed aquarium enthusiast based in Chennai, known for his exceptional documentation of Indian freshwater fishes and their habitats through stunning photographs and videos. He has contributed regularly to various publications catering to both the scientific community and aquarists, and has conducted workshops on fish photography.

Beta’s passion for educating the public on India’s rich fish biodiversity and the urgent need for habitat conservation makes him an invaluable addition to our team. His insights and expertise will bring unparalleled depth to our content, inspiring aquarists and conservationists alike.

We would like to highlight that the photographs showcased in his articles are the copyright of Beta Mahatvaraj and have been attributed to him accordingly. The Weekend Aquarist has reprinted them with permission and does not claim ownership of any copyrighted material.

Learn more about his work and follow him on social media:

• Facebook: Meenkaran
• YouTube: Flare1979
• Instagram: @betamaha
• Twitter: @Meenkaran1

Stay tuned for his incredible contributions in upcoming issues of The Weekend Aquarist!

Rahul's professional journey began with a strong foundation in Zoology and a passion for aquatic life, leading to a Master's degree from Mumbai University. He focused on intertidal ecology along India’s coastlines and later shifted to conservation, educating urban populations through collaborations with NGOs like BNHS, WWF, and Sprouts, as well as working with Goa and Mumbai Universities. His efforts also extended to animal census work and snake rescue with the Forest Department.

Currently, Rahul runs Conserveda Aquatics, a small-scale ornamental fish breeding unit focused on captive breeding programs to reduce wildlife stress. He also raises awareness on topics like invasion and biosecurity.

As a wilderness enthusiast, Rahul co-founded Conserveda Outdoor with his partner, specializing in treks, trails, camps, and wildlife safaris. In addition to his professional pursuits, Rahul has a diverse collection of zoological specimens, shells, coins, and antiques.

He is an environmental educator, aquaculture trainer, researcher, and columnist for Lokasatta, with extensive experience in animal rescue and conservation initiatives with SGNP and the Forest Department.

Learn more about his work and follow him on social media:

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kumarkolekar
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/conserveda_aquatics/

Stay tuned for his incredible contributions in upcoming issues of The Weekend Aquarist!

We are excited to introduce Suneal Mendonca, a Senior Aquarist and an expert in Tanganyikan cichlids, as our newest contributor at The Weekend Aquarist. A true weekend aquarist, Suneal dedicates his free time to nurturing his beloved cichlids, plecos, and planted tanks.

Suneal’s love for aquariums began at a young age when his father gifted him his first fish tank—a classic aluminium frame with bitumen joints. Starting with species like blue gouramis, kissing gouramis, and tetras, his journey grew over the years. After attending his first IAH meet in Bangalore in 2004, Suneal’s passion for Tanganyikan cichlids truly blossomed. Since then, he has been deeply involved with these fascinating fish, constantly discovering new insights and sharing his expertise with the aquarium community.

Learn more about his work and follow him on social media:

• Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/sunealm

Stay tuned for his incredible contributions in upcoming issues of The Weekend Aquarist!