Go fishing on the web

Most people’s interest in fish is restricted to that of a plate, with the fish lying supine, preferably fried. But there is another lot whose focus is not purely gastronomic, who believe that there is a world of knowledge, fun and excitement that these delicate and graceful water creatures are a doorway to. These fish enthusiasts are a persevering bunch, continuing their dedicated pursuit of a hobby that most people consider off-the-wall.

It was four such die-hard aquarists — N Venketachalam, S Ravichandran, Beta Mahatvaraj and Madan Subramaniam — who set up the website indianaquariumhobbyist.com (IAH) two-and-a-half years ago. The first of its kind in India, the website is a forum at which aquarists from all over the country discuss issues like breeding, feeding, filtration, and so on. Helping to promote a hobby that is still developing in India, the site is a boon for its 1,013 members, who also use it to keep abreast of information like the latest breeds imported to the country or the latest success in breeding. Says Bangalore-based Niranjan Umashanker (23), “The true hobbyist is always looking for new ways of making his fish feel as comfortable as they would be in the wild. This is a constantly developing science, so keeping in touch helps.”

IAH garners 80,000-90,000 hits a month. It has its origin in the Chennai Fishkeeper’s Society which used to meet once a month. Though the society disbanded due to members’ conflicting schedules, Venketachalam says, “People still wanted a forum. So we decided to go online.”

Going online has expanded the scope of the clique. From do-it-yourself tips to write-ups on subjects like lighting and genetics, the website, sponsored by mcrennett.com, dispenses a mine of information that is essential to aquarists who experiment with different methods to arrive at the best way to raise their fish.

To gain access to the website’s content, registration is necessary, but free.

The members of IAH also go on short fish collection trips to local biotropes all over the country where they study fish, the water and their environment. They hold an annual one-day event in June with presentation and lectures, at which specialists from other parts of the world are invited to speak.

Venketachalam’s passion is palpable. “We’re all hard-core hobbyists, but the best part is even rank beginners can register and get all the information they need to start out,” he says. Carey Pereira (57), a Mumbai-based member, who breeds 10 pairs of discuss fish at home, agrees. “Beginners can start out with black mollies, red tangerines or guppies, which are easy to maintain and cheap to come by. It can cost as less as Rs50 a month to cultivate the hobby.”

Like any other hobby, for these aquarists, fishkeeping is simply fascinating. “It’s relaxing, and there’s nothing like the thrill of watching the babies grow,” says Pereira. The way different breeds interact and the challenge of duplicating nature’s ecosystem in a small enclosure is what got Umashanker interested. He says, “As one pursues the hobby further, one comes to realise that each fish is more than just a little living being that swims in water. The thirst to learn about more of them keeps the hobby going forever.”