5 comments about A Practical Guide to Corals for the Reef Aquarium.

1. This book is excellently illustrated and very easy to use. It is a wonderful identifier reference book and contains basic lighting, ease of keeping and many other facts that people need to know when they are purchacing corals. I would highly recommend this book.



2. This is somewhat like a small encyclopedia of corals. I believe for the photos alone many would find the book enjoyable that are not practicing this hobby.  The photos are breath taking and helpful and does a very good job at providing information on the requirements for the coral types. Unfortunately it is lacking in more detailed information on each species.
   Certainly not definitive but very helpful. If you are a marine hobbiest I do not recommended it as the only book  you should own on corals but if you are a reef aquarist it should be in your library.



3. I've found this book to be, quite simply, the best, easiest-to-use reference guide for quickly identifying and getting essential information -FAST!- about most of the corals you'll find offered for sale in your local fish shops, and rank it right up there with Scott W. Michael's book "Marine Fishes, 500+ Essential-To-Know Aquarium Species" as the other must-have buying/reference guide for the saltwater aquarist. With its beautiful pictures, "A Practical Guide to Corals..." will also be an excellent addition to any coffee table!



4. A good starter guide for the novice reefer.I found lots of basic information,all care charts were to generalized.Good reading for identification yet lacks Big Time on care of each specific group. Look for the new release in March 2001 for hopefully a more detailed read.



5. This is one of the best books that I have seen on the description and care of the most common corals for the reef aquarium. It gives information on each coral such as Common name, Scientific name, Lighting needs, Water flow, Aggressiveness and Difficulty of care. This is not a book on "how to" setup a reef tank book but an excellent reference guide on corals and the proper care of these animals. Many great pictures and short but very informative descriptions make this a must have to the Reefkeeper. By the way, Eric Borneman (a.k.a. Eric Hugo) is one of the best known most knowledgable contributors on the Internet and reefkeeping Mail and Usenet Groups.

3 comments about The Super Simple Guide To Breeding Freshwater Fishes (Super Simple Guide To...).

1. I feel tricked, but it's my fault for not doing my research. I was surprised when I got the book today. I was expecting a small coffe-table book but what I got was something just slightly better than a pamphlet! Well, like I said, I know it's my fault. If you're serious about the hobby, stay away from this book.



2. Award-winning journalist Laura Muha presents The Super Simple Guide To Breeding Freshwater Fishes, a practical guide for both commercial and private freshwater fish owners. Chapters discuss the history of breeding fishes in aquaria, how to condition adult fish, raising the fry, disease prevention, notes on hybrids, species-specific guidelines and instructions, and more. The species catalogue includes such popular types of fish as livebearers (guppies, etc.), anabantoids, catfish, characins, cichilids, cyprinids, and rainbowfish. Color photographs on every page beautifully illustrate this handy, plain-terms guide, printed on sturdy, water-resistant paper stock. A "must-have" for anyone interested in successfully breeding freshwater fish.



3. Award-winning journalist Laura Muha presents The Super Simple Guide To Breeding Freshwater Fishes, a practical guide for both commercial and private freshwater fish owners. Chapters discuss the history of breeding fishes in aquaria, how to condition adult fish, raising the fry, disease prevention, notes on hybrids, species-specific guidelines and instructions, and more. The species catalogue includes such popular types of fish as livebearers (guppies, etc.), anabantoids, catfish, characins, cichilids, cyprinids, and rainbowfish. Color photographs on every page beautifully illustrate this handy, plain-terms guide, printed on sturdy, water-resistant paper stock. A "must-have" for anyone interested in successfully breeding freshwater fish.

No comments about Setting Up Themed Aquariums: Fish and Plants in Harmony.

4 comments about Freshwater Aquarium Models: Recipes for Creating Beautiful Aquariums That Thrive.

1. This book covers an interesting subject, but it has almost no image, so think about it if you want to buy it. It has many description of aquarium biotopes, but only in textual form.



2. I was most impressed with this book and the tecknickal information but this book lacks the pictures and diagrams to make it an outstanding book.
   The information is there but words cannot convey it without additional pictures and diagrams to make it clear. Most fish raiseing hobbest do not want a school type text book. They are looking for answers and new ideas that require pictures and diagrams to make the discribed sceens come alive and understandable.
   
   I would give this book a 10 star rating if Pictures and Diagrams were added.
   
   Skipper Roy
   (Member of Exectutive Council, Missouri Aquarium Society, Inc.)



3. This book would be useful to a beginner or advanced aquarist. The plant layouts for various types of fish was very easy to understand. A great all around book.



4. A real disappointment! It promises so much but delivered so little. The book would have been excellent if it had included photos, pictures and layout diagram of most or all the different tanks. The 16-page color insert is not an inspiring catalog of fish and plant varities as metioned, in fact it's rather pathetic. I can't understand how the back cover of the book can promise that the book would show readers step-by-step and fish-by-fish how to create the aquarium models. I can't find any step-by-step instructions anywhere. If this was a cookbook, which it is not, then it would only been average. I hope the author would expand the book in his next edition with real step-by-step instructions with photos, pictures and diagrams. He could take advice from the old adage, "a picture paints a thousand word". All in all, too much words and just simply boring. Anyone can write a receipe, readers need some proof of the finished aquarium models. I think readers will find books by Takashi Amano more useful and inspiring, at least they have a picture of the model aquariums in which to aspire for.

1 comments about Swordtails: Keeping and Breeding Them in Captivity.

1. 
   A comprehensive little book on the subject of Swordtails, one of the most popular tropical fish around, by the godfather of tropical fish keeping Herbert Axelrod. The book is an American publication and some of the equipment shown is now becoming a little dated and does not always correspond with the equipment available in Britain.
   
   The swordtail has been bred in many forms and a multitude of colours, so much so in fact that the original wild green colour and the Montezuma swordtails are virtually non existent in the fish trade anymore. However the fish keeper is more than adequately catered for by the new strains.
   
   The swordtail is a fish that will live happily with its own kind or with other fishes in a community tank and is extremely popular. Not least because it gives birth to live young and these can be seen swimming about in the tank, although unless the tank is sparsely populated or heavily planted they are unlikely to survive as the other fish will see them as a ready meal.
   
   The book gives all the information that you are likely to require, either for breeding these lovely fishes or simply making sure that they are happy and healthy in your tank.

2 comments about Tropical Fish (Complete Pet Owner's Manual).

1. I very impressed with this book, when I received it in the post I was bit disappointed of the size, it looked quite small, but packed with useful information I was looking for, it's not very thorough, it touches alot of subjects though, from setting up a tank to common fish species, plants, diseases, etc. This is the perfect book for beginners when you need useful information and facts. Great book, nice photos too.



2. One of the beginning books i've read. Lots of tips for such a small book. Surprisingly good photos. Generally covers everything for start up, buy this book when buying a 20 gallon start up kit and you should be off to a good start.

2 comments about Complete Aquarium Logbook.

1. I keep searching for more books by Kevin Boyd. Both this guidebook, and the "complete Aquarium Problem Solver" book together give you the tools to learning what proper fishkeeping is all about. The cartoons are humorous and entertaining as well. I often dig these two books up ALWAYS putting aside my other 15 books of fishkeeping. I prefer Boyd's style and easy to understand explanations. These chapters are also organized for easy reference.



2. This book is a true look into the masterful writing style of Boyd. The sheer poetry expressed in this book about Aquariams truly moved me when I sought guidance for repairing the aquariam for my pet goldfish. It was a pleasure to read this book. I am a lifelong fan of aquariam books after reading this.

1 comments about Livebearers: Understanding Guppies, Mollies, Swordtails and Others (Fishkeeping Made Easy).

1. Good starting point if you are into livebeares.
   The issues are not dealt with in depth. There is somehow a disconect between the title of the sections and their content, which makes it hard to find things that you read afterwards.
   The style is more romantic than scientific.
   If you are looking for specific, advanced info, look elsewhere.
   The pictures are very nice!

5 comments about Complete Idiot's Guide to Saltwater Aquariums (The Complete Idiot's Guide).

1. This book was funny and informative. I read his freshwater guide and loved it. He tells lots of useful information with pictures! Read this book!!



2. I have read several books, and this one was by far the easiest to read! But don't let that fool you! Despite this, it is full of great information! If you are looking into getting saltwater fish, and don't want a book which sounds like a college chemistry book, this is the one for you!



3. As a novice aquarist, I have to say that this book is GREAT! Ihad read many books on the subject, but this one gave me the courageto actually set up my dream marine aquarium. It has been eight months, and I now have a tank to be proud of. It has inspired several friends and family to start their own. They also have learned a great deal from this book. It is now well worn from use. It continues to be my bible for any questions I may have.



4. This is a GREAT book for a person who knows absolutely nothing about aquariums. It gives great details in explaining everything from beginning to completion in simple terms that anyone can understand. It was most helpful in helping to set up my first and only aquarium.



5. First I would like to start off by saying this book is extremely informative. It tells you everything you need to know about setting up a saltwater tank. The information that is provided in this book is very up to date unlike many other beginner books I have read. Not only is the book Chock full of GREAT info, but it also has great pictures, great suggestions on extra reading materials, and even some fishy humor added in. To top it off after purchasing this book I later found out that the author worked at my local Aquarium store in Randallstown, MD! Whats even better is that I know many people that are in this book and I see many of the examples in the store everytime I visit it. So if you are looking for an all around great book check this one out.

1 comments about Encyclopedia of Aquarium Displays.

1. This book is in two parts. The first part of the book provides general information about setting up an aquarium, fish physiology, water chemistry, aquascaping, etc. This material is interesting -- particularly the material on different substrates and rocks -- but is not sufficient if you're a beginner. There are books that cover this material better. The second half of the book is where the book really shines. It has a number of biotope inspired aquarium designs that talk about the environment in which certain fishes live in particular geographic areas. It then talks about how to recreate something like that environment in the aquarium. It provides some ideas for plants, substrate, rocks, wood, and other tank decor. It also provides ideas about which fish to stock in the aquarium. Some of the fish stocking suggestions are a bit vague -- I would definitely supplement the ideas here with some research in a good aquarium atlas.

   The strength of this book is that it provides a lot of good ideas for aquascaping and it helped me to think more carefully about fishes' natural habitats and how their needs can best be met in an aqaurium. The book has lots of gorgeous photographs. Weaknesses: The book could be more detailed on stocking, as I mentioned, and is not a sufficient guide on its own. Also, some of the terminology is very British, and wasn't always clear to me as a North American. Still, as a source of aquarium ideas, I enjoyed the book and found it helpful.