Reviews (5)

Pretty book, but has some weakenesses
I love reading this book, for the tons of photos of different strains of koi. It also has a surprising amount of information on designing and building koi ponds, pond plants, anatomy/physiology, history, breeding, etc. But it does lack detailed information on some topics such as diseases and water chemistry. Statements such as "koi thrive between a pH of 6.5 and 8.0" are a good start, but a bit simplistic for the serious koi keeper.

This is no book for the Professional.
The Professional's Book of Koi is little more than a beginner's book with inferior photography. Anyone who has cared for koi for more than a few weeks will very little that is not available in dozens of other beginners books. That this might be a book useful for even the serious amateur is laughable. It was a waste of my money and anyone else's foolish enough to purchase it.

The Professional's Book of Koi
I am totally thrilled with this book! I wouldn't trade it
for "all" of the Koi books that I have seen in the pet stores.
Both the information and the photos are "top notch"!
This book has high quality "thick" pages with loads of color and
is in an "easy" and "fun to read format".
Just think, for the price of two Koi magazines,
you can have this great "Hardbound" book.
I'm sure you will both "treasure" and "enjoy" it!

Enhanced with over 150 photographs and drawings
Compiled by Koi expert Anmaire Barrie, The Professional's Book Of Koi is a superbly presented full-color guide to the art of raising colorful Japanese carp. Over 150 photographs and drawings illustrate an informative and seminal volume that is as practical as it is fascinating. Individual chapters address proper aeration and filtration of Koi ponds, steps to ensure proper nutrition and health, koi breeding and exhibitions, and much more. The Professional's Book Of Koi is a truly first-class reference for anyone with an interest in learning about and raising koi.

Koi, the beauty of it all
I found this book to be quite informative, had found a copy in the library and wanted one of my own. For the Koi enthusiast, or beginning breeder of same, this book is a must have, the photos are fantastic, it's another great book to add to my collection of similar books on Koi. ... Read more

Book Description

The genetic improvement of fish for aquaculture and related fisheries is a field of research that has seen immense advances in recent years. Yet there is no book which provides an accessible overview of the subject. This book aims to fill this gap and will be suitable for advanced students and researchers in animal genetics, fish biology and aquaculture. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

EKREM AYNA :AN EXCELLENT SOURCE FOR FISHERIES MANAGEMENT
The aim of this book is to start a new era in fisheries.It includes recent advantages but less application. This is a must for eugenetics, molecular biology and fisheries. ... Read more

Book Description

Some sharks can bite 300 times harder than a person and can hear prey in the water from 3,000 feet away. Find out more about these impressive hunters, from the tiny pygmy shark to the giant whale shark. ... Read more

Book Description

Compared with other salmonids, brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) prefer their water colder, cleaner, wilder. Perhaps that's why no other fish so fascinates anglers. In this, the first book on the species in a century, Nick Karas explores America's four-hundred-year love affair with brook trout.

Karas first unravels the controversies surrounding the two largest brook trout ever taken; then, through the eyes of a trained ichthyologist, he explores the brook trout's biology and the events that led to its evolution and distribution. But the core of this book is the fishery: its past status, current condition, and future. And because the history of brook-trout fishing is inseparable from the history of American fly fishing, Karas follows the development of the rods, reels, lines, and flies that evolved as anglers continued their fascination with this most beautiful of all freshwater game fish. (6 x 9 1/4, 388 pages, color and b&w illustrations)

Nick Karas is the author of a half dozen books for sportsmen, including The Striped Bass, and is the longtime outdoor columnist for New York Newsday. He lives in St. James, New York. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

A Must Have for Brookie Lovers
Brook trout are my favorite trout (or Char, as the author corrects us) and there's a lot more to this book than the fish itself. It describes the history of the fish from a regional perspective, explaining why, for example, the fishing in New York is the way it is and how amazing America's brookie rivers once were. After reading it, I had a new perspective on American history.

Karas provides ample attention to how environmental problems have damaged the quality of brookie rivers as well.

One thing a reader should be aware of, however, is that the book is light on tactics for actually catching brookies. It's much more about why the fish is in the state it's in and what it used to be before man ruined the brookie's habitat.

Nevertheless, I was so engrossed in the history provided and the beautiful photos that I didn't mind not getting out of the book what originally inspired me to buy it--how to catch brookies. I've read the book twice and enjoyed it each time.

Best written book ever on Brook trout....a brookie addict
I have fished brook trout for 25 years both in lakes and streams, and this book BROOK TROUT is right on the mark. Full of informative information that was not obtained over a short duration. The author of this book gives the brookies the credit it deserves. Rich in history and sad at times, this book tells why the brook trout should be American proud symbol for all fishermen.

This book is a must read for anyone interested in brooktrout
Brook Trout by Nick Karas is among other things a life history of America's great trout species. The book spans millions of years of evolution and the ice age telling the species story. The science is well researched and written in a manner that may be understood easily.The book also presents information about the decline of Brook Trout populations over the last century and a half and the prospects for the species future. Brook Trout according to Karas were first pursued by early settlers soon after their arrival in the new world. That pursuit among other things was responsible for much of the species decline. Brook Trout are rebounding in many areas of its range and its prospects for survival are good. Many anglers are interested in restoring habitat and seeing the species recover and this book presents some ideas to facilitate a recovery plan. This book is a must read for everyone interested in the species recovery or angling opportunities and is well written and informative. Included in the book are some great photographs of Karras and trout. If you fish for brook trout, don't miss reading this book. ... Read more

Book Description

Offers a groundbreaking ecological view of the Amazon as seen through the large predatory catfish that dominate the river channels and estuary. Bartham and Goulding detail the various methods employed by small-scale and commercial fishing operations in their exploitation of the commercially valuable resource and propose the first realistic measures for the management of the commercial fisheries based on the large catfish. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

This is a fascinating read
This is a very slim book for the price, but it is packed with data and insight gained over years of research into the natural history of the large predatory catfish in the Amazon basin. This is frontier fisheries biology.Some of the discoveries revealed in this book say as much about the Amazonas it does about the fish themselves.

I would have preferred that theyhad eschewed the use of the local common names in favor of the scientificnames as it can be confusing. For example when they refer to Sorubim, theydon't mean Sorubim lima nor do they mean Sorubimichthys planiceps or evenHemisorubim platyrhynchus. They are referring to what American aquaristscall the Tiger Shovelnose: Pseudoplatystoma fasciatum. There is a chaptercovering the names and information about each fish to help out when suchconfusion arises. The chapter includes some great photographs of some ofthe largest specimens compared to the size of people, but it is unfortunatethat all the photos are in black and white. It would have been particularlynice to have had color photos of the specimens of Merodontodus tigrinus andBrachyplatystoma juruense shown in the black and white photos.

One of thesurprising revelations in this book is that while these catfish eat justabout anything that moves, they seem to have a preference for Prochilodins.It seems that there are other very similar prey items (such as Leporinusspp.) that would serve just as well as Prochilodins.

This book wouldhave been very helpful to me when I was majoring in fisheries biology andwas primarily interested in aquaculture and viewing with disdain theput-and-take approach to fisheries required of the local government tomaintain fishing sites for the "sportsmen". I'd have been muchmore interested in the wildlife aspect of the discipline if I'd had thisbook.

Overall this was an incredibly fascinating book for the little gemsof knowledge that are revealed by the data that the authors collected. ... Read more

Book Description

The Gulf of Mexico is the ninth largest body of water in the world and contains over 15 percent of all known species of marine fishes. This diverse fish fauna has been the subject of many publications, but, until now, no work has ever surveyed all known species, including the deep sea fishes and those of the southern Gulf.This book is the first of two volumes that will cover the entire fish fauna of the Gulf of Mexico. An introductory section that outlines the Gulf's geographical setting, geological origin, current patterns, tides, sediments, meteorology, ecology, and biological exploration is followed by a key for the forty-four orders of fishes known from the Gulf. Keys and descriptions are provided for families, which are arranged phylogenetically, and for the species, which are arranged alphabetically, described, and distinguished from similar species. All but a few species are illustrated. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Excellent publication
The Fishes of the Gulf of Mexico is the first of a planned two-volume set. Volume 1 covers the orders Myxiformes to Gasterosteiformes (40 orders). Volume 2 will cover the remaining 4 orders; Scorpaeniformes, Perciformes, Pleuronectiformes, and Tetraodontiformes. This book is intended to be a single source for identification and description of fishes that are known to occur in the Gulf of Mexico. It is comprehensive and scholarly in nature and would be of great use to researchers and students.

The book is arranged phylogenetically and includes a dichotomous key to the 44 orders of fishes, which occur in the Gulf of Mexico. For each order there is a key to families and then a key to species within each family. The species entries describe each fish and distinguish it from other species within the family. Nearly all entries include an illustration, most drawn from museum specimens. The distribution of each species within the Gulf and worldwide is provided. All entries include references for further study. The authors have gone to great depth in describing the families and species in the hopes that the book will be self-contained. The book also includes a glossary of terms, a bibliography of references cited and an index to scientific names.

The Fishes of the Gulf of Mexico is an excellent publication and belongs in libraries with an interest in either this geographical region or area of research. It would also be appropriate for researchers, naturalists, and students working in this area.

Excellent!
In every field of study there is a book that is regarded as "the bible". For the identification and description of the fish fauna of the Gulf of Mexico this two-volume book will certainly be it. It distills into one reference work the information that was (until now) scattered in a wide body of literature dealing with various parts of the Gulf. Volume 1 begins with a key to the 44 orders that are known to occur in the region, and then proceeds to describe the families and species in 40 of those orders (Volume 2 will deal with the remaining 4). The physical descriptions are very precise and detailed, accompanied by outstanding gray-scale illustrations, and supported by numerous references. Very much in the style of Bohlke and Chaplin's classic, "Fishes of the Bahamas and Adjacent Tropical Waters", its scope and content will appeal primarily to scientists, ichthyology students, professional fishermen, and others (fishwatchers, underwater photographers,...) with a strong interest in learning about and identifying the species of this region. Its massive size (1112 pages), however, makes it a rather unlikely take-along for your next scuba vacation. But you'll certainly want to use it when you get back. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Fish are Funny!
Without a doubt, the funniest taxonomic work on Ichthyology you will ever come across- and extremely and extensively informative to boot. Even the preface is a delight to read, where Love discusses the intelligence of fish (stupider than the stupidest mouse to ever live), if fish sleep, how their names relate to Communism, if they will harm us emotionally, and Love's relative intelligence when compared to other marine biologists. Then he goes through, fish by fish, all the main species off the Pacific Coast, from BC to SoCal. (If you're looking for fish from the Gulf of Alaska, you will be disappointed.) He begins with Myxini and Petromyzone, moves to Chondrichthyes, and then onto Osteichthyes. (Hagfish, Lampreys, Sharks and Rays, and Bony Fish- for fish are actually four different creatures, as separate from each other as Amphibians, Reptiles, Birds, and Mammals are from each other.) Each section looks at the identifying characteristics, distribution, anatomy, commercial fishery, and extra tidbits, still with that trademark humor. And then there's a bit of the parasitic at the tail end of the book. Perhaps my favorite line: 'Your average hagfish can take a bucket full of water and almost solidify it with slime in a few minutes. (I don't know about you, but that makes me proud to be American.)'

Buy this book.
If you have any interest at all in the fishes of the Pacific Coast, this is THE book. I recommend it to the students in my Marine Biology class as one of the most accurate and fun (!) works they will find. The information is up there with the classics by David Starr Jordan, whose books are now collectables. Dr. Love, who is legendary in the world of Fisheries for his research and publications, has added his distinct sense of humor to the usually dry descriptions of fishes. If you are interested in Marine Biology of Fishes you need this book. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

South Texas
Good text book for classifing any fish found in the Gulf of Mexico by families, but not a quick picture reference book for identifying your catch. ... If the pictures had been better in "Fishes of the Gulf of Mexico". I would have given it a five stars rateing.

Disappointing
Yes, disappointing is the word. More of an encyclopedic book that one that provides an interesting naarative on the fish or even better, information useful for catching them (habitat, preferred bait).

Houston Chronicle writers raved about this. I disagreed. Would have returned it if it wasn't so much trouble to ship it back. Wish I'd have bought it from a local store, could have returned it right away!

Fishes of the gulf of Mexico
This book is literaly THE FISH BIBLE. It is not for a novice but for fishing it is the BEST money can by. I know alot of marine biologist that swear by it. IT IS GREAT FOR TEXAS COAST.

For the biologist
This book IS NOT a fun book about the fishes you are going to see while fishing or SCUBA diving. If you want that for this area try Peterson's Field Guide or Dr. Bob Shipp's Guide. It IS the definitive treatise on the systematics and identification of all fish one can find in the described area (Texas, Louisiana and adjacent waters). While I give five stars to this book I would not recommend it to any but the most serious of amateurs (professionals already know about it). Before you open it you need to know what a dichotomous key is and how to use it. The pictures are there for confirmation, not identification. It is laid out with an excellent introduction that explains all of the necessary terminology then jumps into how to identify any fish caught to the family level. After identification of the family it gives a key to that family and a brief (it has to be, there are several hundred fish mentioned) description of each species. That is what a field guide does Within it's scope this is the best one available.

Good for sleep
Good information, but laid out in a boring text book style. Probably more suited to fisherman than divers. Pictures in one chapter with description and information in another chapter. Most of the pictures are of dead fish laying on the dock rather than in the water. ... Read more

Book Description

When populations of striped bass began plummeting in the early 1980s, author and fisherman Dick Russell was there to lead an Atlantic coast conservation campaign that resulted in one of the most remarkable wildlife comebacks in the history of fisheries. As any avid fisherman will tell you, the striped bass has long been a favorite at the American dinner table; in fact, we've been feasting on the fish from the time of the Pilgrims. By 1980 that feasting had turned to overfishing by commercial fishing interests. Striper Wars is Dick Russell's inspiring account of the people and events responsible for the successful preservation of one of America's favorite fish and of what has happened since.

Striper Wars is a tale replete with heroes--and some villains--as the struggle to save the striper migrated down the coast from Massachusetts to Maryland. Russell introduces us to a postman at arms against a burly trap-net fisherman, a renowned state governor caving to special interests, and a fishing-tackle maker fighting alongside marine biologists. And he describes how champions of this singular fish blocked power plants and New York's Westway Project that would otherwise compromise its habitat. Unfortunately, those who cheered the triumphant ending to the campaign, as the coastal states enacted measures that enabled the striped bass to make its comeback, have found the peace transitory--there is now a new enemy emerging on the front.

In recent years a chronic bacterial disease has struck more than seventy percent of the striped bass population in the primary spawning waters of the Chesapeake Bay. Malnutrition seems to be a significant factor, brought on by the same overfishing that plagued the bass in the first battle--only this time, the overfishing is devastating menhaden, the silvery little fish upon which the bass feed. Lessons learned during the first conservation battle are being applied here, highlighting a need for a whole new ecosystem-based approach to conserving species.

Book Description

Watching killer whales in the wild in British Columbia and Washington is a popular recreational activity. Nothing quite matches the thrill of witnessing a pod of these immense creatures cutting through the waters of Johnstone Strait or listening to their strident underwater calls to each other in their own dialect.

This new edition of this best-selling book presents updated results of over twenty-five years of killer whale research in British Columbia and Washington. Intended for both whale enthusiasts and researchers, it contains the latest information on killer whale natural history and presents a catalogue of close to 300 photographs of "resident" killer whales as well as a genealogical registry that enables readers to identify individual killer whales and their family groups. The technique of photographing the dorsal fin and grey saddle patch of whales has revolutionized the study of killer whales, allowing researchers to follow individuals over the course of many years.

Also new in this edition is the latest information on the status and future prospects of west coast killer whales -- how they may be affected by declining salmon stocks, high levels of toxic chemicals in their tissue, and increasing vessel traffic and underwater noise. Whale watchers will particularly appreciate revised suggestions and guidelines on how to view whales in the wild without disturbing them. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

If you need to know about orcas...
This is an excellent book for anyone who is interested in orca whales. It has mass amounts of great information, it's easy to read, there are great photographs, and the ID catalogue of orcas is nothing but the best. This book is a must have for any whale-lover, researcher, or someone with just a general interest.

Orca Researcher's Bible
May I first say I have never encountered a better identification book then Killer Whales and Transients. Both books are written by THE wild orca authority in the Pacific Northwest. Catalouged pictures and organized information of each individual in every pod along the coast from WA to northern BC along with accurate info on feeding, behavioral and other habits of the pods in Puget Sound and British Columbia. Truly a great book, and as I plan on researching these animals in my adulthood, it has been a great boost to my knowledge on them.

Wonderful refrenece book
I just returned from a kayaking trip in the Johnston Straight just East of North Vancouver Island known as the inside passage. We had first hand views of the Orcas. This book was used as a reference manual to identify some of the whales. It has wonderful reference pictures of the known pods (families) in the area. It goes into great detail on their eating habits, language, and family history. It also explains their social behavior, and the differences between the pods. It is a wonderful book full of pictures, and details.

For anyone who loves whales.
This book, the second edition for Ellis, Balcomb and Ford, is a beautiful book for anyone interested in whales, their habitat and their behaviour. Focusing on the Orcas of the Pacific Northwest, this book details their lives from what they eat, to their social habits. It includes a wonderful photo chart of all the Northwest Orcas still alive when this book was published. It is a bit heavy reading, with many complex scientific terms. I would not reccommend for children, but if you know anyone with a facination with whales, this book will it into an obsession. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

A comprehensive and informative guide to Hawaiian fishes.
Shore Fishes of Hawai'i by Johne E. Randall serves as a valuable resource tool from snorkelers to ichthyological enthusiasts. The introduction gives a brief overview of the Hawaiian history of fishes, biogeographic theories of distribution as it pertains to Hawaiian fishes, and basic information on fish taxonomy. The balance of the book seperates in to sections on each family in a phylogenetic order. Each family section has a brief description of characters, life history, and observational notes. This is followed by a photograph of the species most likely to be seen by snorkelers, divers, and fishermen. Each photograph is captioned with information regarding characters to identify it, distribution and depth where it may be encountered, attainable size, diet, and other miscellaneous information. Each photo is labled with both common name and scientific binomial, as well as author and date of original (or valid) description of the species. Many of the species have photographs of multiple adult phases and juveniles. A glossary of terms follows the last family entry. An index by scientific name, family, common name, and Hawaiian name concludes the book. This book would complement the library of anyone comptemplating visiting Hawaii with an interest in the fishes, anyone with an interest in aquarium fishes, or to divers and ichthyologists seeking a good identification and reference guide. ... Read more

Book Description

This series of complete and compact laboratory manuals leads students through every stage of the dissection process for rats, rabbits, frogs, and dogfish. Each of the manuals, corresponding to specimens most often used in high-school and undergraduate courses in general biology, zoology, physiology, and comparitive anatomy, guides the student through a complete dissection with easy-to-follow directions and accurate, clearly labeled illustrations. Anatomical structures appear in the sequence encountered during an actual dissection: First the external anatomy, then the skeletal, muscular, digestive, respiratory, circulatory, urogenital, and nervous systems.

Reviews (1)

anatomy of the dogfish
A very detailed and easy to follow guid to the dissection of a dog fish. Fantastic for any degree that needs to know its way around the internal organs of the dogfish. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

A very good book.
A very well writen book.The book does not give enough information on breeding.A very good book.

Concise, informative and practical.
A straight to the point aquarium fish breeding reference book which I found concise, informative and practical.

Well organized and presented.

Breeding instructions of more aquarium fish would be desirable.

Not wasted my time and money. A very good book! ... Read more

Book Description

This delightful, hilarious "fish chant" will have fish lovers laughing at the antics this author and illustrator imagine underwater. The jaunting text begs to be "chanted" out loud--if you can get through it without giggling! Wacky, bold illustrations add even more humor, yet accurately depict dozens of freshwater fish. TROUT, TROUT, TROUT! is an ideal collaboration of science and entertainment. Whether young readers enjoy fish in their own fish bowls, up at the lake, or on the end of their fishing poles, they'll get a kick out of chanting, "Trout, Trout, Trout!"

• The interactive chant and repetition of words is perfect for younger classrooms and storytime read-alouds.
• The humor will appeal to all ages, making this a great picture book for children and a whimsical gift for adult freshwater enthusiasts.
• Freshwater fishing is an extremely popular sport and something that parents and grandparents can enjoy with children.

Reviews (1)

Amazing Artwork
An incredibly fun-to-view book, and even more fun to read out loud. The art is stunning and ridiculously funny. ... Read more

Book Description

Bright Waters, two hundred pages of splendid color, takes divers and non-divers alike into the water to visit the creatures who inhabit the ocean. From the stately sixty foot humpback whale tendingher baby to the timid half inch goby hiding in the coral, from the majestic fifteen foot manta ray to the gaudy inch long nudlbranch, it is a trip well worth taking. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Window to the sea
Bright Waters is a wonderful resource to use when somebody asks - "What kind of things do you see when you are diving?
The book provides an insight into a beautiful and fascinating world that is so often misunderstood and feared. The pictures are clear and well crafted and the author has provided a wonderful window into the underwater world.

Great Pictures
A wonderful coffee-table addition. The two hundred photos of fish, whales, shipwrecks, octopi, and other colorful sea creatures are a delight. Many of the pictures come with accompanying brief text that helps the reader to understand the photo. The book is even more impressive when one understands that the author/photographer is currently 78 years young and took many of these pictures at an age when many of us were just thinking about the La-Z Boy and the television. The book makes me want to get back to scuba diving.

Bright Waters by Nancy Ferguson
A welcome new volume for collectors of top-flight underwater photo books. And a wonderful pictorial introduction to undersea life for the future scuba diver. Amazing shots, representing countless hours of quiet stalking, interspersed with startling chance encounters captured on film.

Bright Waters is, quite simply, magnificent!
"Bright Waters" is an incredible journey to the depths of the ocean that only a scant few ever witness.
From the darkest, most obscure places--lightened only by the color provided by the nature of the underwater species--the author and artist, Nancy Ferguson, shows an uncanny skill with her camera.
Highlights include the perception of an "angel" on the wing of a stingray, a scorpionfish "lollygagging" comfortably on his ocean "lawn," dazzling, living floral arrangements ready to retreat at any second if disturbed and the graceful eel that appears to have snowflakes--living snowflakes--brightening the moment.
This masterpiece has everything from cup corals and angelfish to fish that have put on their clown makeup to further amaze the senses.
You'll see undersea parrots, kissing fish and the bluest of blue on the banner fish.
And, yes, for you jazz fans, there is the unique trumpet fish...but this one looks like a clarinet!
It's an amazing 200 pages!
This creation...this work of art...this opus...deserves five stars...and more!

Too good to pass up
I have the book. I was wowed by the bright colors and informed by the descriptions. I think that this book has tables all over the world with it's name on it. ... Read more

Book Description

Sharks are one of the most ancient species, are found in all of the world's oceans, and are a subject of fascination for children. In lush watercolors and simple text, Jim Arnosky shows sharks in relative size, explains how they hunt, and shows close-ups of their eyes, teeth, and fins.Children will discover that sharks do not naturally prey on humans and learn simple, clear swimming safety tips. Jim Arnosky conveys the magnificence of sharks and their place in the life of the sea. This is the 8th title in the acclaimed All About series. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

terrors of the deep! or are they?
Have you ever wondered about sharks? Did you know that there are more that 250 species of sharks? Did you know sharks don't have bones? This book will teach you these facts and lots more. It even includes some shark safety tips.

All About Sharks is a very informative book. This book will help children understand these creatures of the deep better. I enjoyed looking all the pictures the book had of all types of sharks.

We recommend this book to children ages 5-8. Kids are curious about sea life and this is great book for them to read to learn more about sharks. The book would be a great reas aloud to science classes as well. ... Read more

Book Description

A comprehensive guide for fish hobbyists.

A healthy environment is crucial for all aquariums. It is often a challenge to understand what fish need to survive apart from a tank of water and a daily sprinkle of fish food.

The Manual of Fish Health is a fully illustrated and highly informative guide covering: - Maintaining a healthy aquatic environment - Recognizing and coping with pests, diseases, parasites and bacteria - Water chemistry and how to achieve the correct balance for your fish

This book explores vital aspects of health care for all types of fish including freshwater and saltwater, tropical and temperate, and pond and aquarium.

The clear and concise text is abundantly illustrated with underwater photography, charts, and diagrams. ... Read more

Reviews (8)

For those who keep fish as pets
The fish hobby is made up of two different types of people. Some hobbyists do not really bother to understand their fish, they simply buy replacements when the current ones die. The second type of fish-keeper wants to know as much information as he or she can on the types of fishes they keep. This book would be of most value to the second type.

Sometimes, we mistakenly assume that fish are fragile and that there is simply no way to maintain them at optimum health. But that is not the case. Most fish are quite hardy. They can easily be maintained in the home aquarium if attention is given to their particular needs. Even so, from time to time, our fishes do get sick despite of our care. This book will help you diagnose some of the more common diseases that afflict fishes, as well as some possible remedies.

Some of the procedures in the textbook are simply not feasible for the average aquarists. Most of us do not have access to a laboratory. However, there is enough solutions in the book that are easy enough to follow. I highly recommend this book.

All aspects of health care for all types of fishes
Dr. Chris Andrews, et.al.'s Manual Of Fish Health is a basic guide to providing a healthy aquarium environment and should be a part of any fish owner's home collection. It covers all aspects of health care for all types of fishes, both freshwater and marine, and cover pond as well as aquarium environments. Add plenty of charts and color photos and you have a truly comprehensive reference.

A must-have for all fish keepers
I have dozens of books on fish and this is one I can't live without. It's an encyclopedia of fish illnesses and treatments that includes wonderful illustrations and photos. It's simple to understand and yet useful for us advanced aquarists. I answer hundreds of e-mails from my web site every year about fish illness and often refer people to this book. It's interesting enough that sometimes I look it over again!

Excellent diagnosis
One of my gouramis fell ill and a day later pop-eye set in. After trying to diagnose the illness(es) through various fish-related web sites- with no luck- I dosed with both gram-negative and gram-positive antibiotics. Two days later the gourami died, and the other was getting worse. Then, I got this book. In less than a minute I was able to diagnose the remaining sick gourami. In fact, page 162 has a picture of him! Very cool. Now I know what to do to save him (and protect the other fish, too).

This book has excellent discussions on all the important things: water pH, hardness, temperature, the biological filtration cycle, and more. Plus, the photos are real-life, not stupid inaccurate line drawings. I just wish I had bought it two years ago when I started the hobby. It would've saved me a lot of money, both in fish and equipment! The book at first seems pricey, but considering the amount of money you'll save with the information in it, it's cheap! I suggest getting it- and reading it- before buying any fish. But if you already have fish, it's a god-send.

An absolute must have book for the fish keeper!
This was one of the first books I bought when I started keeping fish and 12 years later it's still a wonderful book. This book takes you through how to keep your fish healthy, but more importantly it helps you through the inevitable times when you have sick fish.

With a chapter on recognizing your sick fish, to a chapter on the most common diseases and parasites this book will help you figure out what's wrong with your fish.

Finally there is a chapter on how to treat each type of illness so you don't have to guess on what to do.

This is definitely a book that every fish keeper should have. ... Read more

Book Description

Among fly fishers Alberta is fast becoming recognized as a special place where anglers can find a lifetime of sport. Veteran angler Jim McLennan examines the province river system by river system, focusing on the best opportunities that each provides—from wilderness cutthroat and grayling streams to intimate brown trout creeks to internationally acclaimed rainbow rivers. He draws on 30 years of experience to make sound recommendations on tackle, technique and fly patterns. Enhanced by detailed access and drainage maps, color and black and white illustrations, hatch charts and trout species profiles. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Well worth the money.
The book reads like a novel. First book I have encountered that explains the "why" of using a certain fly. If you never fish an Alberta stream, the Chapter on a trout's lifecycle is worth the cost of the book alone. If you pursue trout, this book is for you! ... Read more