No comments about Koi For Dummies (For Dummies (Pets)).

No comments about Culturing Live Foods: A Step-By-Step Guide to Producing Food for Your Home Aquarium.

4 comments about The Complete Book of the Marine Aquarium.

1. This is a very good book for those who are starting out fresh in the marine hobby. Lots of pictures and references to help you out.



2. Well, I must admit, this book has great photos regarding fishes but little on corals. They have talked little regarding the equipments set ups. They aren't many species included in this book but the common ones are there. If you are looking for a book with great pics on fishes, then this would be the one for you. If you are looking for a reef aquarium manual then this is not for you.



3. I have been in the aquariast hobby for quite a few years. Though I haven't had a tank set-up for almost 10 years since retiring from the US Navy and moving from Va. to Ga. I decided for the sake of the fish in my 150 gal tank it was best left behind in the care of my neighbor and best friend JD. I am now in the research and planning stages of setting up a 250 gal. reef tank. Since so much has happened in the last 10 years I felt it was wise to get some reading material for varied opinions and fact gathering. I now have 5 reference volumes to refer to. This book by Vince is not only a beautiful book with outstanding pictures but is my favorite. Crammed with every possible aspect of this hobby. From beginner to advanced the info is superb. In fact a Newbie could take this book as a stand alone reference from your very first Marine Fish only tank to an explosively beautiful Reef with Fish, Inverts, and Corals. It gives info on all the types of filtration from the Jaubert System,(My Favorite), to the extreme hi-tech route..Plan on spending major bucks if you go the hi-tech route. in my opinion the Jaubert System is as close to natural as you can get and the results I have seen from those using it match if not excel over much more expensive set-ups, but hey, back to the book. Every possible life form is fully described in easy to understand detail, inhabitant compatibility, location of origin, feeding, disease care, all of it. The way it is organized makes it superior for that "gotta have info right now" scenario when one of your prized specimens needs immediate attention. Though the diseases coverage is brief it is concise and easy to follow. This book is now among 2 that sit out on my coffee table. It gets read or at least browsed through alot by my visiting friends. Kids love the pictures. I highly recommend it for anyone from beginner to advanced. You can find higher priced books but non better. It's great buy at twice the price.



4. I have positively oodles of books on fish behavior, diversity and ecology. When I brought this book home the wife asked "why do you need another fish book?" I will tell you like I told her.

   This is the best book I have seen on the fishes commonly found in the aquarium industry. The fishes are arranged according to systematic (evolutionary) relationships, so it is in a format that is familiar to me, and more useful to people that are not already familiar with fish groups. Organization, however, is a minor part of a book. But the information in this book is also top notch. There is important information on hundreds of species referencing, feeding, care, availability and compatibility that is important when considering an addition to your salt water aquarium. There are also excellent sections on general aquarium keeping and reef inverts. This makes this a must have for any hobbyist. Lastly this is also a VERY attractive book, it now gets to be in the living room (near the aquarium where it should be) instead of in my library.

   I didn't use those exact words with the wife, but you get the picture. If you're looking for a book on salt water aquarium fishes this is a great choice. Hopefully amazon will begin carrying it soon.

5 comments about Advanced Marine Aquarium Techniques: Guide to Successful Professional Marine Aquarium Systems.

1. What can I say, it contains information which I think a little bit unstructured. It has interesting concepts but I personally think a book of this price should have something special in it, which this one is lacking of. But overall, it's quite an interesting book to read.



2. This text in my view is directed between marine fish only tanks and reef keeping. Many of the tropical fish listed are from the Australian tropical regions. It also appears the author does not follow Sprung or other cohorts in that he uses equipment that is currently not in fashion for maintaining reefs.
   
   I do agree that a well set up ozone reactor run with the dpd chlorine method is a superior way than ORP control and useful today despite its unpopularity. There are other texts available on this subject but this is an interesting point of view. He appears to adopt established public aquarium techniques to large private marine aquariums. However, I must admit many private aquariums are far superior to many public displays I have encountered, especially concerning sps corals. So I highly recommend the book but do not consider it an exhaustive reference on husbandry techniques, but more of an introduction to well established techniques.



3. Jay Hemdal's Advanced Marine Aquarium Techniques picks up where most aquarium literature leaves off. Once you've gained a basic understanding of marine aquarium husbandry, reading this book is one of the next steps you should take. I've kept aquariums for well over 20 years, and I find that I keep referring back to this book for answers and solutions I can't seem to find anywhere else.
   I really appreciate the fact that, even though this book targets advanced hobbyists and offers in-depth explanations, it's written in easy-to-understand language. You won't find yourself swimming in technical jargon. Also, Hemdal doesn't simply parrot what has been written by others. His conclusions are clearly based on his own extensive professional experience, and he's not afraid to challenge conventional wisdom when necessary.
   If you buy this book, be prepared to learn something!



4. This is a good book and terrible in others. I would ONLY recommend it for a well read, very advanced aquarist that has a good handle on the hobby already. Some of the advice is WRONG and will harm your system. However, there are also is some good info/ideas that are not available online or in other books (still in print). This is well worth the price _if_ you can sift through the junk to get to them.
   
   The author also needs to get an editor to read the book and fix things like parts of paragraphs that are missing and basic grammer/spelling errors.



5. Of the 70 or so marine aquarium books I have this is certainly in the top five. There is information here that is simply not easily available from other sources and the book itself is very well written and illustrated. This is not a book for beginers because it assumes a basic level of knowledge and, thankfully, skips over such discussions as the nitrogen cycle, etc. There are few books written in this field that I would read cover to cover, yet this book is compelling and highly informative. I am surprised by how much I've learned from Hemdal's writing and how relevant it all is to my level of interest. Highly recommended!

4 comments about Freshwater Aquariums For Dummies (For Dummies (Pets)).

1. This book is exactly as it should be. A beginners aquarium book. it tells you, step by step, how to set-up an aquarium. It isn't great for an expert, but that's not who it was designed for. I'd recommend it to anyone just starting out in the hobby or who would just like to have a finned friend. If you've purchased any of the other boks in this series, you won't be disappointed. It's in the same style, with pictures, and safety tips, and must knows, to get your hands wet in short enough time.



2. I am very disappointed in this book. It has mistakes and much of the information is out of date. For example, in a discussion of the nitrate cycle, a complex topic for many, the authors have confused nitrate and nitrite. This makes the discussion worthless. The discussion on classification is out of date as DNA studies have caused many changes to the whole sytem.



3. This book isn't too bad, but there's definately better out there. The humor is kind of lame, as it is in all dummy books, but overall the information is sound. However, there are a few exceptions, like who still uses undergravel filters? or even still has a film camera anymore...thats right there's a whole chapter dedicated to photographing your fish. Not to mention there are also a ton of typos in this book, which is kind of ridiculuous for a second edition. Overall it covers just about everything, but not in any great detail....you'd do better to find something else.



4. This is one of the many books I read after "inheriting" a fish. This was a very easy to read and understand while not insulting me for being a rank beginner. I followed many of this book's recommendations and my fish are very happy.

1 comments about The New Encyclopedia of the Saltwater Aquarium.

1. I expected way more pictures enabling us to find what we had in our tank.

5 comments about The Complete Guide to Dwarf Seahorses in the Aquarium (Complete Guide).

1. I bought this book as a resource to address whether I wanted to keep a seahorse aquarium. The book is neatly organized and the pictures are glossy and bright. They are really the highlight of the book. The material is presented with simple language that appeals to those just starting this hobby. There is very little technical information: Aquarium design, filtration, or ecological considerations, so that is why I gave it an average rating. This book provides a nice overview of seahorses but you will need to consult more comprehensive sources if this is to become a serious hobby. Respectfully submitted, K.



2. This book was amazing! I have purchased many books on seahorses and yours was the most knowledgeable and understanding with great tips. Thank you so much!



3. This book is a nice, thorough, easy to understand, reference for the beginner. Short, well-organized with pictures. Not very detailed for the experienced marine aquariest.



4. I'm so glad this book is available and it will be a regularly referenced book in my library. I missed having an illustration that showed the anatomy of seahorses, however, when I was looking at one of my new dwarf seahorses anal fin yesterday, thinking it was a parasite (doh). I had to get on the internet to see an anatomy illustration. There are lots of photos of healthy seahorses, but none of what diseases look like, etc. (Although there is one of hydroids). There are no photos of tank set-ups either. I guess mainly it's the illustrations that are lacking in my opinion. But, lots of kudos & thanks to Alisa Abbott for her research and for sharing it with us, saving us from the things she learned the hard way.



5. This touches all the bases. Very informational, but easy to read. If you want to own dwarf seahorses, get and read this book BEFORE you buy them! I wish I had!

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

1. 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.



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. 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.



4. Not much to add to the title. The book is written by experts and has more information than any other book I've read on Goldfish. The author also has a website with even more information. The illustrations are beautiful. If you intend to raise or just have pet Goldfish, this is the only book you will need.



5. I pretty much agree with everyone else, this is a very good resource for the experienced or newbie goldfish parent. There's probably more info here than I'll ever need (I don't plan on performing biopsies or even buying a microscope any time soon), but it's well-written and interesting stuff. The basics are covered just as thoroughly, and most of the questions I came up with were answered within a few paragraphs. The photography and production are amazing. An index would have been nice, but it's not necessary as the layout is straight-forward and everything is where you would expect it to be. I don't think I'll ever buy another goldfish book!

3 comments about Aquarium Care of Cichlids (Animal Planet Pet Care Library).

1. From a Teacher. . .
   
   Claudia Dickinson's new book, the "Aquarium Care of Cichlids" is a great fish and learning resource for any new or veteran teacher, or simply for a student of cichlids, not only because it is so accurate and informative, but because of how it is written. The book understands teaching in that the pages are "interactive" and the chapters reflect an important teaching flow.
   The pages are "interactive" in design as they are filled with engaging images framed with different geometric shapes that captures the eye and draws you into the critical information provided in a short format and then expanded on throughout the chapter's pages. The engagement goes further by providing the reader, both young and old, with expert knowledge and summary pages for emphasis and clarity.
   The book is ideal for learning because of its logical flow that builds upon itself. First, the books starts with the critical question, "Why Cichlids," and then advances the reader Chapter by Chapter through background information, preparations to be accomplished, and then a number of critical care chapters. This emphasis on learning as you read and then putting the animals first is thoroughly reinforced next through a new important but action oriented question, "Which Cichlid is Best for Me?" The final chapter provides the "real" world connections that can be used by a veteran or newcomer to take their new-found knowledge to ever increasing levels of understanding. For me, as well as for my students, the book is as much a resource as a guide for thinking about the "Aquarium Care of Cichlids." If you have a cichlid tank at home, or in a classroom, this book should be close by for all to be taught about what they are seeing each day in their designed aquatic habitat. The book puts fish and learning first, and this fact makes the book invaluable. I recommend this book highly and without reservation based on my 35 years of teaching experience, work with teachers as a professor at Johns Hopkins University and the co-author of a number of curriculums.



2. This book is written by the consumate enthusiast. There is not a chapter that does not contain valuable and practical information on this outstanding family of fishes. Not only does the author enlighten you, she inspires you, or perhaps I should say she allows these fascinating fishes to inspire you. Cichlids are freshwater fish known for their intelligence and the wonderful parental care of their fry. No one has ever conveyed their amazing qualities better than Claudia Dickinson. I have been keeping aquarium fish for over 40 years, and have read many aquarium books (well over a hundred). I can assure potential buyers that this is must read for anyone interested in cichlids. It has a permanent place in my collection.



3. Those of us in-the-know have been anxiously awaiting the debut of Aquarium Care of Cichlids, by Claudia Dickinson. It has fulfilled our expectations, and then some! The author is an extremely experienced and knowledgeable aquarist. She shares all of that with her readers, along with her effervescent enthusiasm. On one page she becomes an historian, on another a scientist, and on many others she is a hobbyist just like you or me. Her writing style is friendly without being flippant!
   There are eight chapters simply overflowing with advice and information. It is published by T.F.H., and it is also part of the Animal Planet Pet Care Library; "Expertly written, these user-friendly guides are bound to delight the entire family."
   Even though this is Ms. Dickinson's first book, she is far from a beginning author. She has won multiple awards for the countless articles she has written for such publications as Tropical Fish Hobbyist, Cichlid News, Buntbarsche Bulletin, and Modern Aquarium, to name but a few.
   To quote Ms. Dickinson: "If reading this book sets you on the road to success with your first cichlid aquarium, these pages will have served their purpose well." Ultimately, YOUR review will be the most telling!
   (Submitted by the book review columnist for Modern Aquarium magazine.)

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

1. 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.



2. 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



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



5. 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.