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Here
is a list of some books (and not only) that I acquired recently.
10. AD
KONINGS "BACK TO NATURE MALAWI
CICHLIDS" by CICHLID PRESS
Publications. A relatively small book which covers
the basics on Malawi cichlids. The photographs are nice but the
information contained is inadequate even for the late beginner
stage. Clearly it can't be your reference book. It combines
(unfortunately in brief) some parts from Konings' other books
(listed in this section) but I would rather buy the other titles
(namely # 1, 5 and 11). After reading both # 10 and #11 in this list
I was left with the impression that this particular book is a
downscale and relatively expensive version of the next book, which
tells much more on the same fields. Not really recommended, unless
you are after a general Malawi guide.
11. AD
KONINGS "MALAWI CICHLIDS IN
THEIR NATURAL HABITAT" by
CICHLID PRESS Publications. This is the full version
of Book # 10. Lots of photos and a wealth of information this book
is also a downscale version of Book # 1. It is much cheaper than the
Atlas and contains many photos. My recommendation is (referring to
Ad Konings' books) to buy this book along with #5 and later, once
you are familiar with Malawi Cichlids make a Christmas present to
yourself and get Book # 1. This particular book will tell you many
things about the natural habitat of Malawi cichlids which will give
you a very good idea of what to expect in your tank, how to set it
up, what the particular species you intent to keep should be fed and
much more. Unfortunately, this book doesn't contain any information
on the behavior of these cichlids in captivity which is usually a
different story. To give an example, all Melanochromis species
(including the "killers" auratus and chipokae) are
referred to as "occasionally territorial" which, in
captivity, is as far from the truth as it can be. Highly recommended
if you want to know how these fish live in their Natural Habitat. Of
limited use (as described earlier) if you need to get information on
how to keep them successfully.
12.
"CICHLIDAE LIVE"
Tape #1, 2 and 3 by CICHLID PRESS If
your plans include a trip to Lake Malawi there is absolutely
no reason to buy these video tapes. However, if you are a fan of
Malawi cichlids there is a lot to learn from these videotapes. Being
an experienced diver, Ad Konings offers this experience in this set
of videotapes and gives a lot of information on their natural
behavior, environmental and dietary needs. If you are interested to
know why your Aulonocara or Cyrtocara moorii behaves the way it
does, these tapes will tell you.
13. ERWIN
SCHRAML "AFRICAN CICHLIDS I -
MALAWI MBUNA"
by AQUALOG. Published in 1998, this
outstanding hardcover book contains 1.400 photos of mbuna cichlids.
What's more it includes both the male and the female, something very
important since these fish show a clear dischromatism, which makes
identification very difficult. Almost every known species is
included. Elementary information for the fish keeper (in the form of
symbols) is also there. The major advantage of Aqualog books is that
they are regularly updated with special sheets, so your reference
book is never outdated. I am sure most of us are sick and tired of
observing our precious books get outdated so this is a welcomed
innovation.
14. HERBERT
R. AXELROD & WARREN E. BURGESS "AFRICAN
CICHLIDS OF LAKES MALAWI AND TANGANYIKA" by
TFH Editions. A small format, hardcover book which
must be one of the oldest books on Africans. First published in 1973
(when Africans were not known to the hobbyists) it has been
regularly updated so this last edition (13th Edition, 1993) has
something for all of us. There are enough photos to satisfy the
African cichlid enthusiast and the text is enough although not well
balanced. Thus, there is a wealth of information on breeding these
cichlids, while there is very little information on diseases (and
even less on medications). It is only recommended if you do not have
an Atlas with African cichlids and a relevant textbook. On the other
hand, it should be noted that such an Atlas and a good textbook will
cost you much more than this book.
15. ANDREAS
SPREINAT "LAKE MALAWI CICHLIDS
FROM TANZANIA" by VERDUIJN
CICHLIDS. A book meant for the Malawi Cichlid lovers.
It contains many photos of the cichlids found in the waters of Lake
Malawi in the Tanzania side. Many morphs of known species are
included, accompanied by an interesting informative text. Of special
interest are the references to the native biotope where these
species live.
16.
CICHLIDAE A
magazine published by the Associazione Italiana Cichlidofili (AIC).
Although this magazine is usually published in Italian, some special
editions are also published in English. I was lucky to be sent their
December 1999 issue, dedicated to the cichlid enthusiast Jean Claude
Nourissat. This magazine is a revelation. Superb text, good quality
photos and a comprehensive text which fully covers the subject. I
really wish this magazine was available in English on a regular
basis, something AIC is currently exploring.
17.GEORGE
F. TURNER "OFFSHORE CICHLIDS OF LAKE
MALAWI" by CICHLID PRESS.
This book represents an effort to classify and describe the offshore
cichlids of Lake Malawi. The Author spent 3 years in the lake and
came back with many useful data. The book is not aimed at the
average fish keeper since there is very little to offer him. I
believe that this book is aimed at the professionals and the
advanced keeper who want to know more about the species he keeps.
There are some photos of species in this book but leaves too much to
be desired. The majority are black and white photos while, even the
ones in color, don't give much info to the viewer. The book doesn't
claim to be another atlas or a beginner's handbook and it definitely
isn't. One of the great advantages of this book is that it gives the
reader a very comprehensive list of the characteristics the
taxonomists take into account when faced with a new species. It
could be very helpful when you are trying to identify your own
cichlids.
18.OLE
SEEHAUSEN "LAKE VICTORIA ROCK
CICHLIDS" by VERDUIJN
CICHLIDS. This is one of the rare books dealing with
Lake Victoria cichlids. Although it contains enough taxonomy data to
make you a professional taxonomist, the book is also a must for
everybody who keeps (or intends to keep) cichlids from this lake.
There is much information, even aquarium set up and notes and many
good quality photos. The species are well described and it makes it
easy for the hobbyist and the professional alike, to distinguish
them. This is extremely important since these cichlids are very
colorful but seem almost "identical". A really impressive
book. In fact I think that this is the only book one would ever need
for Victorian cichlids. 
19.
M.P.SMITH "LAKE MALAWI CICHLIDS - A
COMPLETE PET OWNER'S MANUAL" by BARRON'S EDITIONS,
97 pages, published in 2000. A really small book with the essentials
on keeping the African Cichlids of Lake Malawi. There are good
photos of some species (those most often kept) and the basics on how
to keep them. As we all know it is impossible to give all the
information needed in just 97 pages. However, the book is a good
start but it should be used as that. Which means that after the
beginning, the hobbyist will definitely need a more advanced book
for issues like water parameters, diseases, breeding etc. 
20.
ERWIN SCHRAML "AQUALOG
SPECIAL - FRESHWATER CORAL FISH - Malawi" by
Verlag A.C.S. GmbH (1998, 52 pages, HC). This Aqualog
book also offers a poster showing some of the most common Malawi
Cichlids along with the main core volume. The information included
in the book is accurate but will not satisfy the experienced
fishkeeper while the (good quality) pictures are not enough to give
this book a "fish identification" role. It is also rather
expensive concerning the very few (large format) pages it contains.
Who is this book for ? I can't really tell. If we assume this is the
only book you will ever get, it is clearly insufficient. There are
many better books for you (listed here). If you intend to buy it as
a second or third book, or even a "fish identification"
book for your Malawi cichlids, then you can also find some other
(far better) options in the books reviewed here. Why did I buy it
then ? Because it was the only book on Malawi cichlids which I
didn't have. Perhaps this is a book for people like me ! Definitely
not recommended unless you already own all the other books !! 
21.
AD KONINGS (Editor) "THE
CICHLIDS YEARBOOK - VOLUME 5" by
Cichlid Press (1995, 100 pages, HC). A true gem, this
book is not addressed to the beginner who will be frustrated to see
that there is no info about the species he likes. It is just what
its name implies and it is a very good source of additional
information for the cichlid enthusiast. Many species (or
genera) are covered to a great extend in each of the volumes -
information not likely to find anywhere else. There are also some
first class articles from well renowned authors. In this volume
Martin Geerts' article "Malawi Cichlids : A different
perspective" sheds new light on the taxonomy of those species.
Of special interest is the classification of the Aulonocara genus:
does it belong to the "mbuna" group or not? 
22. AD KONINGS (Editor) "THE
CICHLIDS YEARBOOK - VOLUME 6" by
Cichlid Press (1996, 100 pages, HC). This yearbook
shares the same characteristics of this series (see entry above).
Two very interesting articles in this volume: Stuart Grant's article
"A review of the current exporting operations from the African
Rift Lakes" (with information and photos from his operation in
the Lake) and Martin Geerts article "The age of cichlid
fishes" - would a Pterosaurus eat a cichlid ?.
23. AD
KONINGS "MALAWI CICHLIDS IN
THEIR NATURAL HABITAT"
by CICHLID PRESS
Publications.
Malawi cichlids in their natural habitat, 3rd edition from
Ad Konings
is an excellent book to learn more about your beloved Malawi
cichlids. It's intended for both the beginner as the more advanced
cichlid enthusiast. The latest version of the book is bigger, better
documented than it's predecessors (1400 pics, most of them made in
the lake) and it has up-to-date nomenclature. (at least
for a few years to come). Owners of the 1990 1st edition will be
better off with buying the newest book, but the people who have the
1995 second edition (see book # 10 at the top of this page) don't
need to rush to purchase it. All biotopes with their cichlids are
described very well and every attentive hobbyist should be able to
extract all the right info on how to keep the right cichlids in an
adequately decorated tank. For example, you can discover the
reason for the notorious aggression of the Protomelas taeniolatus 'Namalenje
Island' or 'Red Empress'. In the lake they have food territories
(algae fields) that are fiercely defended against concurrent
cichlids. Some pictures on the other hand make you realize that no
tank is large enough to let these magnificent fish feel really at
home. The impressive nests of sand dwelling cichlids would never fit
in a normal aquarium. Even in a 5000L a Fossorochromis rostratus
won't be able to make a 2.5m nest like he does in the lake. All in
all a very complete reference book to learn the real background on
the cichlids you keep, but at the same time it's a bit disappointing
with a lack of clear basic information how Malawi cichlids should be
kept to prevent or limit aggression and let these beauties thrive. |
