1 comments about The Tanganyika Cichlid Aquarium.

1. This is a good book for learning about Tanganyikans...

   It has alot of useful information for such a small book. For someone unfamiliar with the habits of Shell-Dwellers this is very informative. It gives you recommended tank sizes for most of the popular Tangs (Neolamps, Frontosa, Calvus, Lamps) as well as a limited compatability between certain species.

   There is a section about which plants can survive in an African tank... this is hard info to find.

   The only think that I found lacking was a complete section of photos, descriptions, specs and stats of each species. This would've added alot to the book and made it into a true reference guide.

   In any case it is a very fun book to look at from time to time. There's always stuff in there to learn about.

5 comments about Koi: Living Jewels of the Orient.

1. This is a good reference book for people new to the hobby. I especially like the section on the different varieties of koi.



2. Very informative. The best Koi book we have yet to buy.



3. This book has received such glowing reviews I felt the need to add a sour note. It is full of beautiful pictures and has lots of useful information, but it is not as exhaustive a reference as it would seem from its size. The chapters are divided between four authors, with uneven results. The water quality chapter wastes entire pages on step-by-step instructions on how to use a particular brand of water test (they come with instructions,we don't need this in a book). The filtration chapter is devoted almost exclusively to a particular filtration system that chapter's author designs and sells. On the other hand, most of the other chapters are at least adequate, and the koi varieties section is outstanding, with the clearest delineation of the many koi types I have ever read--anyone can tell a showa from a sanke after looking at the side-by-side comparison. This section alone makes the book worth buying.



4. There are not many Koi books in the market. I think this book is the best I ever read. It is very up todate information (technology) especially pond and filtration system. The pictures and diagrams are beautiful and easy to understand.



5. This beautiful, hard cover book has much to offer any person who is interested in caring for KOI>
   I bought the book as a Christmas gift for my husband's folks...
   They just installed a 16 X 33 foot Koi pond in their back yard.
   They have three little waterfalls the aerate the water, and are in the process of adding appropriate plants.
   They really do not know a thing about KOI.
   But I guess it's a new hobby for them....they're retired and
   perhaps need a new direction in life.
   I hope they read this book before they lose too many of those expensive, shiny fishies!
   I read the book prior to giving it to them, and it details the many names and types of KOI, (which means CARP in Japanese.)
   The book explains how one would proplery build an in-ground Koi pond, and shows many examples of how to go about this.
   It's facinating...did you know that KOI require a high protien diet for their health, and to maintain their beautiful, bright colorings? There is quite a variety of food available to give them.
   There is a ton of useful information in this book about KOI,
   and it makes a very nice gift for the Holidays.
   MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL!

5 comments about Bearded Dragons (Reptile Basics).

1. This book is by no means complete. It gives a very brief overview of the animal and where it came from. It didn't really include anything about how to properly care for the dragon.



2. This book had no information about what to feed bearded dragons. It was not specific. Just said vegetables. Did not say what kind, how much. It had no information about the proper habitat. I would not recommend this book to anyone. It was not very informative. I would appreciate a refund.



3. The book was easy to read and concise. It offered the information one needs to maintain these animals and keep them healthy, without launching into the seemingly mandatory 45 page narrative about the state of the global ecology and what you or I can do to help. I have seen the infomercials,... I don't need to get lectured in a book which I paid for.
   
   The information seems in line with all the other literature I have collected on these animals,... however to be frank the majority of information contained is also readily available for free on the internet. Having said that, the author does go beyond the precursory information one finds online to further explain the ins and outs. It is nice to get the "how and why" as well.
   
   This should be the only source a beginner will need to properly set up a habitat for, maintain, and breed bearded dragons.



4. This is a wonderful book for anyone who has recently acquired or are thinking of acquiring a bearded dragon. Whatever your questions are...this book has the answers. I recommend that this be the first book you purchase.



5. I happened across this gem in my local pet store the other week and have really taken a shine to it. The quality of the photographs is first class and the information is presented in a really easy to follow manner (as well as being very thorough). Although there are no earth-shattering revelations to be found between the covers, I heartily recommend this book to all Bearded Dragon owners- it's a definite 'keeper'!

   Bill Mears, BorderView Bearded Dragons

2 comments about Biology, Husbandry, and Medicine of the Green Iguana.

1. This is for the advanced Iguana owner, or someone who wants to become advanced. Basically this book is a series of scientific studies collected in one book, along with information on diagnosing various Iguana diseases and injury. There are color plates showing how to operate on Iguanas for vets. Basically this is a vet textbook, but anyone with a slight background in anatomy, or a pocket medical dictionary, should be able to read this book easily and find it informative. If you want to feel a bit more empowered and be able to discuss Ig problems with your vet, this is a good book.
   
   If not, buy Iguanas for Dummies and James Hatfields Green Iguana book. I have all 3 plus "Understanding Reptile Parasites" by Roger J. Klingenberg, which is unfortunately not available from Amazon.



2. Compiled and edited by Elliot R. Jacobson, Biology, Husbandry, And Medicine Of The Green Iguana is a scholarly and detailed referenced packed from cover to cover with virtually everything there is to know about this remarkable reptile. An extensive college-level study, illustrated with an inset selection of color plates, Biology, Husbandry, And Medicine Of The Green Iguana is a welcome contribution to zoology reference shelves and a fascinating resource for iguana enthusiasts to simply read through.

2 comments about Keeping and Breeding Amphibians : Caecilians, Newts, Salamanders, Frogs and Toads.

1. I think it's a good book, however, I was disappointed with the great lack of information provided on the care of salamanders, newts, and caecilians. There is though, a lot of good information on the care of frogs and toads.



2. Amphibians are creatures which live their lives partly in water and partly on land, generally with a larval aquatic phase and an adult life on land. This can pose particular problems when it comes to their care in captivity. Compared to other branches of animal husbandry, the keeping of amphibians is still in its infancy and there is a vital need for more information - for the beginner and advanced enthusiast.

   In Keeping and Breeding Amphibians, noted herpetologist Chris Mattison provides expert guidance on the care and breeding of newts, salamanders, frogs, toads and caecilians. Much of the information is available for the first time in this ground-breaking book which is an essential guide for both the amateur and the professional.

   The first section of the book deals with general principles of biology, accom- modation, equipment, environment control, indoor and outdoor vivaria, food, breeding and general care and health. Then each of the three amphibian orders is dealt with in detail, with a chapter on each of the eighteen main families of species suitable for keeping in captivity. The text is illustrated throughout with superb colour photographs taken by the author.

   The need for a responsible attitude to keeping amphibians in captivity underlies the wealth of information in Keeping and Breeding Amphibians. With many species under threat in their natural habitats, this book is a major step towards ensuring that the pet trade may eventually be able to be based upon captive-bred species, so that no species need be taken from the wild.

5 comments about 277 Secrets Your Snake and Lizard Wants you to Know Unusual and useful Information for Snake Owners & Snake Lovers.

1. I did totally love this book, and had trouble putting it down. That being said - this is not a care guide, and is basically just a book of "fun facts". A lot if the information is common knowlege to anyone who has kept snakes for any length of time, and I didn't learn anything of real particular use in it, but it was fun to read. But then again, I wasn't really looking to find "that gerat lost secret that nobody else has ever known". If you are very new to snakes, or are interested in learning about snakes, or interested in someday purchasing your first snake it would probably be more informative - but is still basically just a fun read, and just has fun facts and tidbits.



2. While the format is cute, and it contains some interesting (but questionable) anecdotes, I feel that the author should have enlisted someone in the herp field to help her write this book. The "secrets" aren't really "secret" to many of us who have been keeping snakes for even a little while. The insertion of lizard material just makes it all the more random and disjointed.
   
   Such basic information is better written in a more organized and instructional format to teach the beginner.



3. If you want a cute book to read for entertainment and/or trivia this book is pretty good. If you are looking for a cae guide for your herps, this is not the book. I enjoyed parts of it but was expecting more health tips.



4. This book isn't going to help you if you have problems. It won't reveal anything vitally important about the care and maintenance of your herp. But, it is a cute little book, and fun to page through if you're looking for esoteric knowledge. From the title, I really was expecting something more ... useful to a keeper, but for a collection of reptile trivia, it's pretty good.



5. I own the Book "277 Secrets Your Snake (and Lizard) Wants You to Know. Unusual and Useful Information for Snake Owners and Snake Lovers." by Paulette Cooper. It is by far the best book I have ever read. I have gotten to understand much much more of the snake world just by reading the first 100 pages out of 181 pages. Its not your regular factual/formal book it isn't that formal at all, it is clearly stated in the book. There are interesting facts, stories that you'll have to read to believe, and extremely useful information for snake owners all over the globe.
   So instead of doing hours of research online just to find a simple answer to a simple question, just order the book, check the index and find what your looking for. This wonderful book has helped me in ways I can't even try to explain, all I know is that ever since I read the first page of that book, my pet corn snake (Buddy) and hognose snake (Cobra) have been living the good life.

1 comments about Quick & Easy Horned Frog Care (Quick & Easy).

1. If you are interested in a horned frog, this book will point any newbie in the right direction. Well-written with good fundamental instructions that will help you with keeping one of the most entertaining and low maintenance pets on the market. What to feed, where to house them, how to breed them, all right here.

2 comments about The Guide to Owning Angelfish: Disease, Varieties, Care, Species, Breeding (Aquatic).

1. I'm still on the hunt for a good all-around book to describe more about taking CARE of angelfish, in regard to feeding, personalities, water chemistry/temperature, what they like/dislike, yadda yadda. But lots of good pictures, and I thought a lot was devoted to the different varieties of angelfish (although I'm sure there are so many that it would be difficult to show them all)



2. This is a good first angelfish book. I was a little disapointed though because I would like to see them show more varities of angelfish. They only showed a select few. They don't have much information on genetics either.

   Over all I did learn some from this book and the pictures they did have are really good. So if you aren't looking for a book on all varieties of angelfish with lots of information this book is a good start for your collection of books. I refer to it quite a bit.

1 comments about The Pet Owner's Guide to the Bearded Dragon (Pet Owner's Guide S.).

1. This book has been and will continue to be very helpful to my son (10) in the care of his new bearded dragon. The language is simple and complete. I highly recommend this book.

1 comments about Turtles: How to Take Care of Them and Understand Them (A Complete Pet Owner's Manual).

1. This little book has plenty of excellent information and a stunning collection of pictures. I did see some small errors; for instance the identification captions for the pictures of the Yellow-margined box turtle and Malayan box turtle are reversed (pp. 56-57.) Overall, a fine addition to your collection of turtle books.