Reviews (18)

Great information and photos but not a good reference.....
This book does a great job of helping the beginner set up and maintain their first cichlid aquarium and is an excellent resource for learning about cichlid behaviors. The main drawback is with the lack of good index. It is nearly impossible to look-up any specific fish because they are not listed in the back of the book. Nice to have in your Cichlid library but you'll need more books to look up specific fish and their specific requiriements.

I good book for the advanced cichlid keeper.
This book is definetely not for the beginner cichlid keeper. Although it provides some basic information on tank setup etc, it is geared toward the advanced aquarist.

As is typical from Loiselle the information is concise and in depth.

Only the lack of a decent index mars this otherwise excellent book.

good buy
definitely one of the better cichlid books on the market. lot's of information on a wide variety of cichlids from mating behavior to habitat. ...

Not a good money's worth
This book was a little bit of an disappointment for me. It has good guidlines on how your cichlid aquarium should be and how to maintain it. But it doesn't tell you alot about the fish and lacks information about them such as habits, size, diet etc.
I would not recomend this to a hobbyist who wants to learn more about the fish themselves.

V. Good book but Index is not available making things hard
Very interesting book. Gives a lot of information byt if you want specific information on your fish it does not give. It doesnt have an index making things very hard when you want to find specific info. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Very Good Cichlid Info
This Book is great for the novice to intermediate hobbyist. Very good info on all the Cichlids, good pics, and pretty good all around general Aquarium info (i.e. Tank set-up, etc...). Good Buy, and great addition to any Cichlid or Tropical Fish Library! ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Excellent
This is a great book for Salamander lovers, like myself. Petranka provides well gathered information and writes it out on paper well. I would not change a thing. I am a student and have used this on all my papers and Reports. i has given me well grades and it provides excellent information. i Rate it 5 stars. So give it a try! Then go out and turn over a few logs youll love what you see!

Essential reference for serious herpetologists
Petranka provides a masterful summary of our current state of knowledge about the taxonomy, natural history, ecology, and behavior of North American salamanders. No other work comes close to matching the depth of coverage of this book. It is no surprise that this work received the Wildlife Society's prestigious Book of the Year Award.

Not a well done book
Good photographs and maps. Text okay. Taxonomy is completely out of date and common names are the tongue-twisters used earlier in the last century (instead of standardized common names, which have been adopted nationwide since 1978). These errors make the book difficult to use. Publishers should have sent it out for review by a younger generation of herpetologists before approving it. Not recommended.

The most complete work on ecology of USA Caudata so far
As a keeper and breeder of rare Asian and American salamanders I'm very happy with the arrival of this book. It's so far the most comprehensive & complete work on life environments & ecology of American Urodela species I read. It truly helps us/me overhere to install the animals in a natural urodarium, keeping them as close to nature as possible. A similar older standard book by E. R. Dunn was more of scientifical nature. The only thing that comes close to it concerns Pfingstens book on Ohio Salamanders. I'm sure this book will become a future standardwork in this peticular field. It's already famous in the midst of Belgian, German and Dutch urodela circles. If only this excisted for Asian species too.

Comprehensive, informative and pretty. Almost perfect.
This is destined to become one of the great classics in American Natural History. Dr. Petranka describes every species of salamander in exhaustive detail. His photographs and physical descriptions should enable even a novice to correctly identify every specimen. The accurate range maps make identification even easier. I especially enjoyed the habitat and ecological data provided for each species. Good stuff.

This is a great gift book for birdwatchers. It will broaden their horizons by forcing them to look down for a change.

Comment: The current trend in taxonomy is to split species rather than to lump them. Often this splitting is based on esoteric DNA differentiation. Fifteen years from now, the "lumpers" (me) will regain ascendency and a number of currently valid species will be relegated to varieties. The text follows the current splitting trend, but it does include a discussion of each species taxonomy and its relationships to closely related species.

Minor quibble: The photography is excellent. Beyond excellent. I only wish the editors had allowed for larger images and more of them, but that would have jacked up the price. I guess that sixty bucks is the perceived limit for this type of book. But salamanders are beautiful little animals that deserve better.

Buy this book. Read it. Then go out into the woods and turn over a few logs. Then put them back. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Catfish of the World in one book
This book contains almost all families of "cats" including Asian, African, European and North and (of course) South American. There were equal pages\pictures devoted to all species not just the most popular "cory" catfish. There are a lot of full color pics for id but most pics are not fully identified (i.e. synodontus sp.). There is also text on keeping the different families of fish including pH, temp, hardness etc.. Overall this is one of the most complete catfish books on the market although it could use some revision and additional info, but I still concider it in the top 5% of all fish books I have read. ... Read more

Book Description

Over the last two decades there has been increasing recognition that problems in Oceanography and Fisheries Sciences and related marine areas are nearly all manifest in the spatio-temporal domain. Geographical Information Systems (GIS), the natural framework for spatial data handling, are being recognised as a powerful tool with useful applications in marine sciences. This book provides a thorough examination of marine GIS applications that include a high variety of methods and sophisticated approaches in coastal, continental shelf, and deep ocean studies. It presents new innovative approaches of using GIS in the examination of the dynamic relations that characterize the marine world, including marine GIS macro routines for the development of Oceanography and Fisheries GIS tools and applications.
Some application examples include: the mapping of fish production data (catch and landings); the identification of essential fish habitats; and the mapping of species migration corridors. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Been waiting for this one!
If the previous "Reef Fish Identification" edition (Florida, Caribbean, Bahamas) is an indicator of this book's quality, I'm all for it! I used to dive in the south Atlantic and used that edition exclusively (after checking out several others) because of the quality of photographs, information, and species coverage. I now dive the south Pacific and have not been satisfied with the current coverage. This book provides a great addition to the Tropical Pacific diver! ... Read more

Book Description

Reviews (3)

The perfect reference for saltwater anglers !
This book has been a constant companion on nearly all of my fishing trips, regardless of location. I am currently on my second copy- the first was worn out from repeated use ! When a question arises about habitat,water preference, etc., we whip out the ole' McClanes to settle the argument.The pictures offer a true rendition of the fish which aides in rapid identification.The descriptions give vital information, while remaining brief enough to allow the book to function as a true "field" guide.I highly recommend this book to any angler or saltwater fish enthusiasts in need of a pocket guide.

Complete and Comprehensive
This book is very useful in every facet of salt water fishing, from fish physiology and habits to tackle selection. A must for every salt water fisherman.

No saltwater tacklebox is complete without it
McClane's saltwater fish identification guide is a must for every angler -- sunburned beginner or salty old pro -- who casts a line into our bays and oceans. The most outstanding among this guide's many strengths are its clear, concise writing in the description of each fish, and the strikingly life-like, full-color artistic renditions of most of the fish. The fish are organized by family; so where there are related species on the Atlantic and Pacific sides (e.g., among sea bass), the book does jump somewhat to and fro. However, with its thorough index and vivid illustrations, any saltwater angler should be able to locate that "mystery fish" in McClane's within less than a minute. This book accompanied me on every fishing trip in my years of angling in South Florida and the Keys; and many an unknown fish was revealed through McClane's pages. With this book, the difference between sheepshead and spadefish (for example) is obvious -- in feeding habits, location, water preferences and any characteristic of appearance. Whether you catch a Spanish mackeral, ladyfish, jack crevalle or even the ugly (but tasty!) guitarfish, McClanes can teach you all the important information about it, quickly. It's the perfect size for the tacklebox; but be sure to put it in a freezer bag to keep it dry. ... Read more

Amazon.com

In 1938, an alert young South African museum curator named Marjorie Courtenay-Latimer came upon a curious specimen in a fisherman's nets: a fish with "four limb-like fins and a strange little puppy dog tail," one that she thought resembled not a living being so much as a china ornament. When she could turn up no written descriptions of the find, she turned to other scientists for help, touching off a worldwide wave of interest in the creature that would come to be called the "coelacanth," long thought to be extinct, and now celebrated as one of the world's oldest species.

That interest took many forms, writes journalist Samantha Weinberg in her entertaining and instructive case study in scientific detective work. It spurred the development of new deep-sea craft to explore the farthest reaches of the ocean; it touched off more than one controversy over the coelacanth's lineage, and even over which nation claimed sovereignty over its oceanic haunts; and it launched or advanced the careers of dozens of researchers. The coelacanth continues to make news. In 1998, a young American scholar found a specimen in Indonesia, far from the western Indian Ocean waters where the coelacanth was thought to dwell. Although some scientists decried the discovery as a hoax at worst and an aberration at best, the find showed that the creature's range was widespread. It demonstrated, too, that international cooperation was necessary if the coelacanth were to be protected in the future, "continuing to exist," as Weinberg writes, "after this extraordinary duration of time." --Gregory McNamee ... Read more

Reviews (21)

It kind of makes you wonder.
I had read an account a few years back about the initial discovery of the coelacanth off the coast of South Africa and the tracking down of its habitat to the waters around Madagascar. It captured my imagination.

It was great to find out that the story didn't end with the Madagascar discovery. Upon reading this book, I was thrilled to hear about the confirmation of coelacanths living off Indonesia. The theory put forth in the book that there might be populations in the Philippines or even off the Atlantic coast of the United States stirs the imagination as well.

The book is very easy to get thru. It gives you just the right amount of scientific information and includes more human elements, namely the stories of the people involved in discovering, studying and protecting the coelacanth.

Something like this definitely makes you wonder. I mean, if a fish that was thought to be extinct for millions of years escaped detection by humanity till the beginning of the twentieth century, what else might still be out there?

A Fish Caught In Time
Samantha Weinberg has written a wonderful book outlining the history of the coelacanth. This "living fossil" fish, which predates the dinosaurs, was believed to have been extinct for millions of years until one was pulled from the sea in 1938. This incredible discovery has been referred to as the "number one zoological find of the twentieth century." The coelacanth, with it's primitive limbs, is a fascinating member of our evolutionary past. Much more than just a fish story, A FISH CAUGHT IN TIME tells an exciting tale of the many individuals involved in expanding our knowledge of the coelacanth--and hopefully preventing it's extinction as we enter the twenty-first century.

This is one of those special books that was hard to put down and ended far too soon!

A wonderful book
This is a wonderfully written book, which blends science with excellent character development and story telling. If you enjoy books that teach you about science, but read like a good novel, then this is a perfect book for you.

It is the story of a serendipitous discovery, and how the passion and perseverance of a few overcame politics, personal egos, and various challenges to preserve a fish. Weinberg wrote a wonderful book; I learned a great deal, and I cannot wait to read her next book.

Behold a Living Dinosaur!
Hairy Hominoids and Big Foot, Giant Fish and Loch Ness Monsters, Gigantic Birds and other strange creatures - Science Screams "Neigh!!, Evolution has made them extinct!" but this book is what proves science wrong. In fact Darwin once believed that in order for evolution to work these relics of the past should be with us today, but he never could prove it. Then in 1938, Marjorie Courtney-Latimer, a museum curator, discovered an odd looking fish on board a trawling boat in South Africa... a fish that was thought extinct for 400 MILLION YEARS!

Could it be that this Coelacanth was nothing more than an artefact of evolution fished up from the depths of some frozen suspended animation? When science searched for populations of this fish it suddenly appeared in the Comoros and then later on near Java. Not only had they found a living fossil but they had also found what could prove to be the missing link.

The Coelacanth, because of its structure is a very good candidate for a fish that could eventually walk on land. Its fins even look like legs. Not only was the Coelacanth a good candidate for reptiles and mammals but as the precursor to mankind and here man holds the Coelacanth in his arms!

The book however is not really about crytozoology. It is all about the Coelacanth, its discovery by Marjorie Courtney-Latimer in 1938, the science and pursuit of the fish that followed as Professor J.L.B Smith sought to find more specimens. The politics of international law and science trying to find and acquire the first live Coelacanth and the subsequent analysis of the Coelacanth underwater in late 20th century by new wave submersibles.

"A Fish Caught in Time" reads like a great adventure story and is a must for anybody looking for a very interesting topic with some red hot escapades to boot. The characters in the search span some 60 years and are all fully fleshed out. It is Coelacanths, Coelacanths and more Coelacanths along the way.

This is a mandatory read for anyone even remotely interested in evolution. It speaks volumes about what science has yet to learn and how many of its 20th century evolutionary claims are in fact clearly wrong and the real scientists are those who the extra mile in the face of blunt reason and logic.

A wonderful book! A wonderful, wonderful book!

Race for a Fish
In a South African town, Marjorie Courtenay-Latimer, a museum curator, finds a strange fish with unique fins. J.L.B Smith identifies the fish as a coelacanth, which originated from 400 million years ago and thought to become extinct with the dinosaurs. Samantha Weinberg describes how the 'scientific find of the century' triggered debates over evolution. The race for the ancient animal is portrayed with firsthand accounts and entrancing detail in A Fish Caught in Time.

After the scientific world reached word about the coelacanth, expeditions and searches were initiated in hopes of claiming it for themselves. Smith traces the origin to the Comoros Islands in the Indian Ocean, and generous awards were set up, alerting fishermen of the great creature. Despite a fight between France and South Africa, one and soon several more were discovered through techniques, some derived from a couple amazing inventions by Hans Fricke and others. However, the question of evolution remains: did the coelacanth evolve from the sea to be the first creature to walk on land?

The portrayal of many such questions leads the readers diving through the pages, informed of many new facts but through the element of a story. In fact, the reader can relate to the work as a thriller, pondering, 'what will happen next?' Weinberg clearly displays a love and fascination of the living fossil, using her talent as a British reporter who writes for American, African, and European periodicals and newspapers. From the eyes of renowned people involved with the search of the coelacanth, she shows the arduous process that goes along with a new scientific discovery'having to piece together the facts, finding the money for research funding, and convincing and competing against others. Marjorie Courtenay-Latimer states a problem dealing with the coelacanth, 'It really is a remarkable creature, and I hope that the new interest in it will prompt us to find a way to save it, once and for all.'

On the other hand, the book's chapters are somewhat disconnected from each other, making each seem like a separate narrative. The reader may find that the chapters are too long, the format of the book uncomfortable, and the illustrations do not effectively depict the points attempted to be conveyed.

However, the criticism is minor, and Weinberg does a great job informing the public of the search and discovery of the ancient fish. It is evident that she spent much time on the topic, not even being a scientist. Besides the information scattered across the story, the appendix at the end gives more background information of the coelacanth. In addition, the tale makes me wonder'if a 400 million year old fish had survived all this time, what else is hiding out there? ... Read more

Reviews (6)

KOI KICHI is an excellent reference book
I recently purchased the book KOI KICHI. I cannot compare it to others, but I have found it very informative. It goes into detail about pond construction, koi care, koi types, and is full of background information and stories.

The thing that may make this book less useful to the DIY person is that Waddington(author) is talking about what he calls a 'proper' system which excludes a lot of what poeple who like to do it themselves consider staple. For example, he leaves out many details about pond construction because he believes it should be made from concrete, and should be left to a professional along with electrical wiring, surveying, and landscaping.

As far as a reference book on koi, I found it to be excellent, and it certainly gives a different perspective on pond setups.

"Koi Kichi" is a must book for any serious Koi enthusiast.
"Koi Kichi" contains many areas of information notusually found in other books. Most importantly it has a lot of commonsense answers based on 20 years of Koi experience.

His chapter on parasites, bacterial, viral, and fungal diseases is authoritative, detailed, and complete. It is just what will save the novice Koi keeper from poor advice from uniformed sources. The specific remedies he recommends have already saved enough of our Koi from death that we have more than recovered the cost of the book.

The author goes into detail on pond planning, design, construction, and the whys, whynots, and how-to's of water treatment. He also includes specific recommendations on water pumps, air pumps, plumbing equipment, biofilter material and pond materials.

His chapter on filtration is incredibly good. His knowledge is exactly what any Koi pond builder or keeper needs.

Peter Waddington is a typically British author with understated wit and humor liberally sprinkled about to keep us smiling.

His frequent and detailed trips to Japan's Koi breeding area acquaint us with the most famous Koi breeders for each Koi variety.

His pictures are beautiful, numerous, and show each of the Koi varieties.

Simply the best KOI book
KOI Kichi is simply the best KOI book that I have ever seen. It is so complete. It is a must for KOI beginer and also a very good reference book for the experienced.

The book describe in detail about KOI type, KOI selection, how to build a good KOI pond, KOI disease and treatment, KOI breeders in Japan and almost every other single thing about KOI. I guess that the book is so good as it is written by an author who is a KOI Kichi (Crazy about KOI)

If you a serious KOI lover, you should buy this book.

the koi book
koi kichi is with beond a doubt the best Koi book available that covers all topics in a realistic view advice from Peter leaves the reader aware and full of info about the fish they adore Koi

Warning! This book is it. The true koi keepers bible.
The worlds Koi hobbyist were unknowingly waiting for this book. It shows and tells the Koi world as it has never been shown before. If anyone that has an interest into koi is not presently Koi Kichi, (crazy) in Japanese, they will be after reading Waddy's words as only he could describe the Koi kingdom. I was driven so Kichi, I spent November in Japan following the books description as I went from pond to pond and breeder to breeder. Having read the book, from cover to cover, made every place visited seem like I had been there before. A must for all Koi keepers. ... Read more

Book Description

This book examines the application of fish community characteristics to evaluate the sustainability and biological integrity of freshwaters. Topics include perspectives on use of fish communities as environmental indicators in program development, collaboration, and partnership forming; influence of specific taxa on assessment of the IBI; regional applications for areas where the IBI had not previously been developed; and specific applications of the IBI developed for coldwater streams, inland lakes, Great Lakes, reservoirs, and tailwaters. ... Read more

Book Description

An encyclopedic reference for setting up, stocking, and maintaining a saltwater aquarium.

Nothing rivals the color and appeal of a saltwater aquarium. The Complete Encyclopedia of the Saltwater Aquarium simplifies the complexities of setting-up and maintaining a successful saltwater aquarium.

The book illustrates and explains: - Specific characteristics of invertebrates and marine fish- Important differences between tropical and freshwater fish - Choosing a tank: advantages and disadvantages of glass and acrylic, different shapes, and critical construction details - Accessories such as aquarium heaters, lights, and filters - Water testing and maintaining the correct chemical balance

More than half of the book is a directory that covers species from 34 fish families. Details include their characteristics, natural environment, diet and feeding, size range, and aquarium behavior.

Coldwater aquariums are covered in a separate section that shows how to establish an artificial habitat for fish requiring temperate saltwater.

This full-color reference will appeal to saltwater tropical fish enthusiasts at any level. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Good book for someone starting the hobby
This is a very good book for saltwater beginners and experts alike. The information on saltwater fish and invertebrates is very accurate and is essential to the success of a reef aquarium. The book also describes the steps of setting up a reef tank, along with maintenance and testing water parameters. I would highly recommend this book. ... Read more

Book Description

More than 600 species are described in detail, with more than 525 illustrations. This is the guide for quick, reliable identification of fishes that you'll encounter while fishing, snorkeling, diving, or even strolling along a Pacific Coast beach. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Peterson solid installment.
This Peterson's Guide to Pacific Coast Fishes is extremely concise and contains countless family, genus, and species entries. Also, this is one of the very few field guides that adds deepsea and pelagic fishes to their list. This section is enough for the price right there! The deep ocean fishes illustrated are stunning, and inspire the reader to explore the deep domain sometime in the future. An example of a deep sea fish is the Daggertooth: a bizarre, 20 inch rodlike fish with a mouth full of razor sharp, daggerlike teeth. This is only a single of the many deep sea families listed.
Another completely amazing but unknown fish family listed are the Poachers. These fish are difficult to describe, but have a few traits of an alligator, to put it simply.
There are dozens more stunning species to be found here, but you will have to read it to find the most mysterious and exhilarating ones. Also, this ocean field guide uses the best identification tool, drawings. Whether for the interested fish worshipper, or the expert marine biologist, this book will please all fascinated by the ocean.

Another great guide from Peterson
I bought this book in anticipation of a SCUBA trip down the west coast next year. Why? Because I have good luck with Peterson guides and know that they are concise, well written and all inclusive. So far, as I try to gain some familiarity with the fishes of the west coast before I go I have not been disappointed. I'm sure that this book is to the west coast what the Atlantic guide is to the east and gulf coast. I'll write another review after I finish my trip.

Peterson Field Guides Pacific Coast Fishes
This is a well-written, well-organized field guide, like all other Peterson Field Guides. The book is divided into five parts: 1. About This Book, a very brief introduction of the book; 2. Collectin and Observing Fishes, again, a brief chapter, but very useful. The next three chapters are divided into: 3. Jawless Fishes; 4. Sharks, Rays and Chimaeras and 5. Bony fishes, which is where the bulk of the book is about. The book also contained an excellent glossary, and a limited number of references. Particularly useful are the detailed habitat information of each fish described, ways to identify them, and of course, the 48 pages of color and black and white drawings of the fishes. The book is an invaluable sources of information not only to ichthyologist, naturalist, but also to the comercial fisherman, professional anglers and recreational angler. The only complaint I had is that this field guide uses artists' drawing for the fishes instead of the actual picture of the fish. With the actual picture of the fish, it will make the identification of an unknown fishe much easier for the amateurs and weekend angler. Overall, an excellent book. ... Read more

Book Description

This dictionary lists the English, German, French and Italian names of amphibians occurring in Europe, North America, Canada, Central and Southern Africa, Australia and New Zealand,the Indian Subcontinent, South East Asia, Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico and the islands of the West Indies. It lists 5,367 scientific names of orders, families, genera, species and subspecies. The relevant order and family are shown for each term. The taxonomy is that used by the different authors of the sources. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

A Great Book
This is simply the most comprehensive book on lake trout written. The authors approach the topic from a scientific view. However the practical points (i.e., tackle) about catching the fish along with a entertaining sidelights (epic battles by record-holders) make this book a "must read" for serious fisherman. I feel that something more could have been written about the "Niagara Bar", the Great Lakes and some other Canadian Lakes (i.e. Reindeer Lake)as lake trout fisheries but this does little if anything to detract from what has been presented.

The definitive book on lake trout fishing
A "must own" volume for anyone who pursues - or has an interest in - lake trout (which Shickler and Eveland term "North America's Greatest Gamefish").
Chapters trace the history of trout and trout fishing. Methodology, tackle, and locations are covered. Perhaps the most enjoyable aspect of the book is the authors' style of interweaving tales of trout fishing and the great outdoors. Merely reading the account of Lloyd Bull's record 72 pound moster will have you booking your next trip!
Reading LAKE TROUT is like taking a mini fly-in trip for yourself: You'll become absorbed in the material, insulated from your everyday world, and yearning to head out and wet a line... ... Read more

Book Description

The striped bass sustained American colonists through the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries and went west with nineteenth-century pioneers. During the past one hundred years, however, Atlantic coastal stocks have been over-fished three times to the brink of recreational extinction. Today, the stripers are back in such numbers they're the center of a saltwater fly-fishing revival. George Reiger recounts his own relationship to the striped bass and traces the history of the great sportfish through such angling writers as Henry William Herbert and Robert Barnwell Roosevelt in the nineteenth century to Joe Brooks and Lefty Kreh in more recent decades. The book also demonstrates that the striper is heading for another collapse unless prevailing fisheries turn to better conservation policies. The Striped Bass Chronicles is a paean to a remarkable fish - and a prayer for its future. (61/4 X 91/4, 212 pages, illustrations) ... Read more

Reviews (1)

An addictive book about a noble fish
I found this book by chance, and as soon as I started reading it I couldn't put it down. By the time I was finished, I agreed that maybe the STRIPED BASS should be our national symbol, not the bald eagle. It's a fascinating fish, and an unknown player in American history and politics. It's also HUGE. Who knew that 150 pound monsters lurked in the East River? Reiger is a great writer, period. And he makes a compelling case for the gentlemanly art of catch and release fishing. ... Read more

Book Description

Myron Arms, author of the best-selling Riddle of the Ice, is a sailor and environmentalist. This book, ten years in the making, describes an environmental crisis in minute detail, through the eyes of Newfoundland's fishermen, politicians, and scientists. It is gripping reading, and a cautionary tale that demonstrates how vulnerable our environment is to even the best-intentioned human activity. ... Read more