5 comments about A PocketExpert Guide to Reef Aquarium Fishes: 500+ Essential-to-Know Species (Microcosm/T.F.H. Professional).

1. What can I say? This is the best book when you're ready to stock your saltwater tank. Do the fish a favor and read this BEFORE you buy a Naso Tang for your 90-gallon tank. Helps avoid many costly mistakes. And it's not just the cost: this book saves fish lives!



2. A good guide to the many fishes & accurate. I bought a Spiny Puffer, who the author said that he's prone to Ich. I was skeptical, but after just the first overnight, I found a big white spot on his head.
   
   I will heed this guy's advice more closely in the future.



3. Although most of thsi is duplicated the the book 'Aquarium Fishes', it is a must have for beginner and expert alike. The pictures and data are up to date and I am using it almost every day.



4. Scott W. Michael is the authority on salt water aquarium fishes. I have been in the hobby for years and I found this book to be well researched and well written. I refer to it often. It includes the standards in the industry as well as information on less well know species that are becoming available. I highly recommend it.



5. It does not matter if you are a begineer or an expert marine aquarium hobbyist Scott Michael's marine books are a must have.
   The Reef Aquarium Fishes book is a handy tool for finding reef safe fish for your aquarium. Its may be small in size but is packed with tons of useful information.
   I use it before I make any new purchases for my marine aquariums.

5 comments about Nature Aquarium World: Book 3 (Nature Aquarium World).

1. Important to note this is part III in the series. If you own part one, this is a nice addition. If you don't own part one, get it first. It's the best of Amano's photo books. Yes, these are well photographed coffee table books, not manuals to "do it yourself," although they do give you a lot of good info to work with.

   The plant names don't correspond with Western plant names. You'll have to ID things yourself based on the photographs.

   A great book of inspiration once you know the essentials of aquatic plantscaping & fishkeeping.

   Amano's tanks are a living work of art. If you're already into freshwater planted fishtanks, get this book! After you've bought book one, Nature Aquarium World, of course




2. I got this book and I was suprized to find out that it had very little information whatsoever as to how his tanks were set up and the techniques he uses. I would not recommend this book for anything other then something nice to look at and wish that you hand the time to put into making your own tanks look like that.



3. the first two books were great with my personal fave being Nature Aquarium World 1 but this one was beautifully designed and illistrated. Not only are the illistrations wounderful but the "about takashi" section of the book made for some brief and enlighting reading.



4. This really is a fantastic book. Try to understand the Japanese culture and you'll understand the way mr. Takashi Amano disigns his aquariums.
   The use of simplicity is amazing but not easy to realize. For every aquarist is the whole serie 1,2,3 a must. Fantastic. Good written and very nice taken photos as well.



5. I have been an advanced aquarist since 1994 and have read (and own) most of the plant books on the market. This book, as well as his others, are not meant for beginners (or even intermediate users) in search of a solid how-to manual. Better sources for that would be The Dynamic Aquarium: Building Living Ecosystems (by Adey and Loveland) or Peter Hiscock's 2 books, Encyclopedia of Aquarium Plants and Aquarium Designs Inspired by Nature or The Ecology of the Planted Aquarium by Diana Walstad.
   
   But, if you are a beginner looking for inspiration or scope of what is possible, this is a good beginner book. I suspect that majority of aquarists who actually get a lot of practical use from these books are those who can readily take the data from each photo and put it to good use. Amano's books, if used as such, assume the aquarist has an advanced understanding of lighting, water chemistry, nutrient balances, biological filtration, fish behavior, etc. For advanced aquarists, these books are invaluable in that they supply tested permutations that can be immediately applied. This saves the hobbyist much experimentation when it comes to combinations of plant placement, relative to CO2 levels and lighting and nutrient regimes.
   
   In my opinion, this book is not required for beginners, although they can certainly learn from and enjoy it. But, it is required for any advanced plant-loving aquarist. I would highly recommend it for anyone who loves aquariums or appreciates the natural world.

5 comments about Discus Fish (Complete Pet Owner's Manual).

1. So far, one of the best books I have read for a beginner just like me. It is easy to read and very informative, though it may come short on some subjects.



2. Did not appreciate a book from a library. Will be contacting the library is see if book was stolen!!!!!



3. A good book for the beginning to think about keeping Discus. It provided enough information for me to make the decision to give it a try. Two years later, I still have 4 of my orgininal 6 dicus purchased, so I think it helped get me on the right track. Other books can be had with more detailed information on discus if your intent is to keep many of them and even trying your hand at breeding them.



4. I BOUGHT THIS BOOK MANY YEARS AGO AND WENT TO BUY IT AGAIN AND ENDED UP WITH THE LATEST EDITION. THE LATEST EDITION IS MISSING ALOT OF IMPORTANT INFORMATION THAT THIS BOOK HAS. IF YOU ARE IN THE BUSINESS OF DISCUS FISH THIS IS A GREAT BOOK. THE NEW EDITION HAS BETTER PICTURES BUT THAT IS WHERE IT ENDS. BUY THIS BOOK



5. Very good starting point for raising discus.Well laid out, easy read, good value. I have two other books by Degen but this is the one i keep picking up to browse.

No comments about The 101 Best Aquarium Plants: How to Choose Hardy, Vibrant, Eye-Catching Species That Will Thrive in Your Home Aquarium (Adventurous Aquarist Guide).

5 comments about The Simple Guide To Mini-reef Aquariums (Simple Guide to...).

1. it has a lot of good advices and it's easy to understand!



2. this is a very basic book about the care of corals. if one is new to the hobby, then this is a starter. i finished reading this book in 1 hour.



3. This book is written by the same author as The Simple Guide to Marine Aquariums. These two books contain virtually identical information -- in some cases they're even word for word the same. I thought this book would be a step up for someone moving from a basic fish only tank to a reef tank -- it isn't. It spends chapter after chapter discussing the nitrogen cycle and basic filtration. He mentions a sump many times in the book, yet never explains what it is, how to use one, or even shows a picture of one...not the best move to skip this extremely important information when talking to beginners. I bought this book thinking it would have a basic 'intro to sumps', one of the most important pieces of reef keeping equipment and I get no information whatsoever. This book is completely worthless.



4. A very good book for anyone considering this hobby or is just getting into it.



5. Well written, smart, and full of info. You'll love this book if you're thinking of starting a nano-reef.

5 comments about The Marine Fish Health & Feeding Handbook: The Essential Guide to Keeping Saltwater Species Alive and Thriving.

1. I have been a tank keeper for twenty years and have read every book written on the subject. This new book by Bob Goeman's is by far the the most comprehensive, up to date,accurate, well written, and organized book to have been published in several years. The chapters on feeding and maintaing the health of the corals and fish are outstanding but there is so much other information in the book about the latest techniques of maintaining salt water aquariums. The book's title could have been "Everything You Need To Know To Maintain a Spectacular Marine Aquarium". There are at least a hundred beautiful photos and the information is cutting edge. Your tank can only benefit by your reading of this book!. It should be part of every "Reefers" library.
   Dr. Paul Carpenter



2. The Marine Fish Health and Feeding Handbook should be on the shelf of every novice as well as veteran saltwater hobbyist. It is a beautifully presented book. It provides an excellent common sense overview of general marine fish maintenance, feeding and healthcare.
   
   The 232 page volume is broken down into 3 parts: The Healthy Marine Aquarium, Foods and Feeding, and Diseases and Conditions. The information contained in the 10 chapters provides a good starting point to assess why your saltwater fish tank and fish may not be thriving.
   
   The Section on Diseases and Conditions gives the aquarium hobbyist an introduction into the complexities of treating and diagnosing fish disease. However, the medical information contained in the book is general, and in a continually changing field of new treatments and medicines for use in marine fish, is not intended to supplant the use of an aquatic animal veterinarian, or aquarium consultants such as the author Lance Ichinotsubo, to correctly diagnose and treat many similar looking fish diseases and saltwater aquarium problems.
   
   Both authors have done a highly commendable job providing a wealth of practical knowledge in this book, garnered over their years as both aquarium hobbyists and professionals.
   
   Les Gerson, D.V.M. Aquatic Animal Veterinarian



3. I've successfully kept tropical marine aquariums in all sizes and shapes for almost thirty years - I started with a baby lionfish in a then-fashionable perspex cube and my last one was a ten-feet long, 240-gallons beautiful monster of a tank housing a whole complex reef community. I think I can safely say that Bob Goeman's new book is an exceptionally complete, well-written, easily understandable, beautifully illustrated guide to the do's and dont's of reef keeping which should not go missing from any serious marine aquarist bookshelf. I wish something of this scope had been available in the past - it would have saved me quite a few heartbreaking disasters!



4. As a marine aquarist for over thirty years and a professional for twenty five years, I have waited for such a book to come around. The in depth coverage on fish disease and plain text makes it a valuable resource for both the professonal and hobbyst alike. I have purchased a copy for all my staff. Richard Oellers President New England Aquarium Services Inc.



5. Beginners and experts alike will find this 'missing manual' covers all the basics of health and feeling challenges to keep a home aquarium active and interesting. From buying and acclimating new fish to keeping fishes healthy, understanding early warning signs of system problems, and treating common diseases, over 100 color photos accompany a fine survey.
   
   Diane C. Donovan
   California Bookwatch

3 comments about Discus Health: Selection, Care, Diet, Diseases & Treatments for Discus, Angelfish and Other Cichlids.

1. this is a really great book with many ideas about the ways to treat discus fish and their diseases it is useful n case of any other soft water fish a famous japanese koi hatchery uses it for reference too. it saved many of my fish and saved me alot of money too.A MUST HAVE book it is now out of stock but i got a promise from the publisher to have it republished soon.



2. I have had this book since it was published and it is a complete guide to the health and well being of not only discus but other cichlids as well. If I have ever had a problem, a question or a need...this book has had the answer for me! It is, quite simply, the BEST there is...it is that simple.



3. I purchase this book on the basis of many good reviews I read concerning the detailed information it has on keeping and maintaining healthy Discus. It's lived up to those reviews and I keep it around for good reference material.

5 comments about Ultimate Marine Aquariums: Saltwater Dream Systems and How They Are Created.

1. A nice book with some good information and lots of pictures. But only of real use if you are putting together a big system. Like over 200 gallons!



2. This is an excellent book for those that just want to look at some incredible marine aquariums or those looking for information on starting their own masterpiece.



3. This is an interesting picture book to compare how other aquarists keep their tank. However, most of the aquariums included in the book are pretty average in today's standard. There are numerous more matured and better looking tanks over the internet forums not to mention almost all tanks are in the USA only. Many of the pictures are also very blur. I would be very interested to buy a second book of the serie covering more "Ultimate" aquariums and with better picture quality.



4. This book is very nice in content but poor picture quality, would be nice if the new edition or next volume of this title comes with more equipment and arquitectural photos and diagrams as well.



5. Ultimate Marine Aquariums: Saltwater Dream Systems and How They Are Created
   This Saltwater How To Book was very informative and interesting. It's full of beautiful color photos. It's easy to read, understand and follow.
   It's great for beginners as well as intermediate hobbyists such as myself. It has unique advice and point of views on certain topics. I got a lot of good ideas for setups and use in my own saltwater aquariums. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone looking to start a Saltwater Aquarium or expand their horizons for their current Marine setup!

5 comments about Fancy Goldfish: Complete Guide To Care And Collecting.

1. This is one of many books about goldfish that I have purchased during the past six months. It is by far the most outstanding. The details provided regarding healthcare, in particular, are very useful. Other books that I have recently read give glossed-over or simplified descriptions of health conditions, and brief (if any) suggestions about treatment. This book has proved to be quite satisfying in that the descriptions are thorough, and suggested treatments are detailed and specific. If you are considering keeping (or already keep) fancy goldfish, this is the only book that I would recommend, other than perhaps a basic aquarium keeper's guide. The photographs and drawings are original, unlike those found in other books (again and again and again). The author is a veterinarian, and he provides explicit instructions for microscopic slide preparation and viewing if you are so inclined. I purchased a microscope and have used it a couple of times to try to diagnose an ailment as discussed in the book. This, however, is not a necessity. Can't say it enough...this is a wonderful book. I highly recommend it.



2. Good book, I was expecting a more simple book. Comprehensive information. I prefer a simple book, easy to use, basic but helpful information on medications that help on different kind of diseases. Don't need to know on how to perform surgery on a fish and look under a microscope. This is helpful if you are a professional. Great pictures.



3. An experienced goldfish breeder in my aquarium society recommended this as the best goldfish book. I had five others and would agree with him, however, it is not for the inexperienced goldfish keeper, in my opinion.
   The authors chose to put all the things that could go wrong at the front of the book, enough to scare anyone away. They discuss diseases, medicines, surgery, etc. If you have very expensive goldfish and/or are breeding, you want to read this book.



4. Comprehensive information, stunning photos, and very interesting and helpful, although a bit too focused on diseases.
   I recommend it to any goldfish fan, rookie or expert, specially for ranchu fans, because it has an extensive section about them (not very interesting for me, though).
   Nicely done.



5. This book contains very detail information. Half of the book describes about fish diseases and surgery methods, which are not what I am looking for. The author did a good job on pictures, a lot of good gold fish pictures.
   
   This book talks too much on other topics that beginner people wont care much. For example, fengshui, fish surgery methods, etc. They less focus on the common knowledge that people want to know.
   
   It's good for a collection.

3 comments about Betta: Your Happy Healthy Pet.

1. We "adopted" our very first Betta fish, Ray, last July. We just love him but weren't sure if we were taking care of him properly. This book was wonderful and so very helpful. It is easy to understand and separated so that your questions can be answered quickly. A must for all parents of Bettas!



2. I bought this book at a PetCo that was going out of business, this was after having owned my own fish. I had a Betta before, and had done a lot of research online, so I thought I knew what I was doing. When I started reading this book in the store I realized that this was a lot more complete and thorough than the hundreds of articles I read online. This books gives consistent advice, and covers such a large range of information. The advice Tullock gives is logical and great. I definitely recommend this book for all, especially for such a decent price!



3. I disagree with the previous reviews of this book. I bought this book in hopes of grasping a thorough understanding of the betta. This book is for someone who intends on keeping a betta as a pet and nothing else. If you are planning on breeding bettas i strongly recomend looking elsewhere. This book has very general information on breeding, but lacks alot of important information I later found out after attempting to breed bettas by this books advice. This book leaves out a lot of important details which become detrimental to breeding. However, if you don't intend on breeding your bettas then this is a good book.