No comments about Lake Victoria Basin Cichlids (Complete Pet Owner's Manual).

5 comments about Aquarium Fish (101 Essential Tips).

1. Really a little gem of a book. It's small enough to fit comfortably in your hands and it's just stuffed with information and tasty graphics. The Art Director must have been giggling with delight, the book is really a showpiece. The colorful photos jump off the page and the text is handled in the usual effortless DK manner. Even if you have zero interest in fish, this book is a joy to page through. Beautifully put together.



2. This is a good quick reference guide & has has a good collection of species & varieties. You couldn't raise any fish from the information in this book - but it certainly makes choosing those right for you aquarium a little easier.



3. Like all DK books this little (72 page) book is very pretty and well organized. Unfortunately it provides little info and also misleads the buyer. At first glance it appears to cover 101 fish ("101 Aquarium Fish" is in large print) but only 40 fish are covered and 5 of these are just different types of goldfish. Of the remaining 61 "Essential Tips" included are: Tip #61-Clubs, discusing joining a club, and tip #45 Choosing Prepacked Food, showing photos of different food types ie flakes (2 types shown), pellets, tablets etc.



4. While this is a good quick reference guide, I have found that I have needed another book for most things. This would probably be good for kids as long as parents have another source for more detailed reference.



5. This is a handy little guidebook that features very high-quality photographs (it's another DK book) of just about every aquarium fish you are likely to encounter. It is useful primarily for those looking to distinguish their Five-Banded Barbs from their Checker Barbs or their Madagascar Rainbowfish from their Siamese Tigerfish - i.e. it is a book for fish nerds. I do recommend this book for the enthusiast and the beginner alike, however the beginner should not rely on this book alone as it does not provide nearly enough information on setting up the aquarium, choosing compatible fishes, and trouble-shooting. My main criticism is that while the design and layout of the book, and the large, clear color photos of the fish, makes it a pleasure to read, it provides only very basic information about each fish. For some unknown reason, the critically important subject of water chemistry and temperature is practically ignored. I also find it disturbing that the author does not really indicate which fishes are good for the beginner, and which are more fragile, and suitable only for more advanced aquarists. This is an unfortunate exclusion given the fact that so many fish languish and die in tanks owned by inexperienced people who lack the knowledge to properly choose and care for them. If you're looking for information you can really use, there is not much point in learning to distinguish between 500 different varieties of fishes, but not knowing which of those fishes you would be most likely to be able to keep successfully (taking into account such factors as your level of skill/experience, local water chemistry, the size of the tank etc.). Still, it's worth a look.

No comments about The Discus: King of the Aquarium.

5 comments about Saltwater Aquarium Handbook, The (Barron's Pet Handbooks).

1. this book was worthless, I am going to try to return it. I was not at all happy, very outdated information and some info I found to be quite incorrect. :(



2. This book is outdated. About all it has of any value is pretty pictures. There are much better books for the beginner out there. I found this out the hard way.



3. If you are looking for a complete guide, don't pike up this one. I found it good for first time reader, who doesn't know a thing about reef tank, but it doesn't realy help to set up you own.



4. there are better books out there, but if you want a nice book to read on saltwater aquariums in general, then this book is quite okay.



5. I spent months researching marine and reef aquaria for my own involvement as a hobbyist, and this was my first book. While it covers the characteristics of different vertibrates and invertibrates, as well as diseases and basic feeding information, it perpetuates many of the myths which cause so many tank "crashes", specimen deaths and discouraged hobbyists. This book does not address the most successful and widely-used water treatment and filtration methods used today: Protein skimming, live rock and live sand, and sump systems.

   The science of marine tank and reefkeeping has changed radically in the past few years, lowering the mortality rate of tank inhabitants and increasing the ease of tank maintenance. This book seems to focus on the out-dated methods, and in several instances, leads the reader to believe that certain animals best left to advanced keepers are suitable for immature systems.

   I would recommend this book only if you are "iffy" about starting a tank. It is a decent overview; but if you do take the "plunge", do thorough research first. Pariticipate in online forums, and buy "The Conscientous Marine Aquarist" before even purchasing your tank. You will have a solid foundation to build upon, you'll save money by purchasing the right equipment first, and you'll learn how to correctly cycle your first marine tank. From there, you'll want to pick up more specific and technical books to lead your way.

No comments about What Fish? A Buyer's Guide to Marine Fish: Essential Information to Help You Choose the Right Fish for Your Marine Aquarium (What Pet? Books).

1 comments about Captive Seawater Fishes: Science and Technology.

1. This book is the only one I have seen with a comprehensive listing of marine fish. I love marine fish and I have used this book to figure out which fish i should brougth.

   There are so many marine fish to see and bougth, that is important to had certain reference to mix the diferent species.

   This book allows the reader to identify the fish and then find its scientific name.

   you soulh have this book. because it worths its pounds in gold.

2 comments about Handbook of Acrylics for Submersibles, Hyperbaric Chambers, and Aquaria.

1. The recent publication of "Handbook of Acrylics for Submersibles, Hyperbaric Chambers and Aquaria" by Dr. Jerry Stachiw provides a singular reference material to which any prospective designer or fabricator may turn to ensure an high quality, safe and cost-effective product. I can assure you that this handbook should form an essential part of the library of any persons or entities considering the development and fielding of acrylic windows.
   R. Lawrence Walker, former Program Manager - Naval Ocean Systems Center, San Diego, California



2. As a designer, I am often at a loss to find a handbook that in clear enginering language presents the solutions to my design problems. I have found 'The Handbook of Acrylics for Submersibles, Hyperbaric Chambers and Aquaria' by Dr J D Stachiw to be such a publication. It truly explains in plain language all the criteria affecting the design of acrylic pressure resistant structural components. I use it frequently.

   John A Morreal, Morreal Engineering Company

No comments about Marine Invertebrates.

No comments about Modified Atmospheric Processing and Packaging of Fish: Filtered Smokes, Carbon Monoxide & Reduced Oxygen Packaging.

1 comments about The Guide to Plants for the Reptile Terrarium (Guide To...(T.F.H. Publications)).

1. The book isn't the best. Its short a mere 64 pages and a good number of the pages are covered with pictures. The lighting section was useful but you could of gotten the rest of the information from a houseplant book.