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BOOKS
OF GENERAL INTEREST - part II
9. EDWARD
J. NOGA "FISH
DISEASE : DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT" by
MOSBY Publications. A remarkable wealth of
information, this book covers every single topic from disease
description to post mortem findings and treatment options in detail.
Not very easy to read it is definitely written for the professionals
(vets) and not the hobbyist. If your background in chemistry and
basic fish anatomy is strong then this is the only book on this
subject you will ever need. A bit overpriced, too. This is mainly
because the book is classified as scientific and not for the
hobbyist. Nevertheless a valuable book.
10. TAKASHI
AMANO "NATURE
AQUARIUM WORLD" vol 1, 2 and 3 by
TFH Publications. If you are fascinated by planted
tanks then these books are for you. Takashi Amano is regarded as the
"sensei" in planted aquariums and these books prove it
beyond any doubt. Photos are of exceptional quality. I would like to
make a point here. Exceptional quality means that the sensei uses
large format cameras and film plates almost the size of an A4 page.
People at TFH have gone a long way to ensure that these photos would
print well and the result is fantastic. Detailed shots and
information is also available along with comments, hints and tips by
the master. Every page will add to your knowledge and creativity.
The volumes cover different tank sizes, starting from a 1 liter (!!)
tank to a 5.000 liter monster. Yet, every single tank in these books
will make you wish you were its owner. Saying that these books are
recommended is definitely an understatement. These books should be
part of every fishkeeper's library, even if you do not have (or
intend to have) a planted aquarium.
Before buying these books from
any bookstore check the prices of the online bookstores (Amazon /
Barnes and Noble).
11. DISK
MILLS "THE
INTERPET ENCYCLOPEDIA OF THE MARINE AQUARIUM" by
Salamander Books Limited. Being an African cichlid -
addicted hobbyist means that your library will be loaded with books
on Africans. It also means you like colors and fishes. Well, this
book is meant for every hobbyist who has the same likes. Full color
detailed pictures of almost every fish in the tropical marine hobby.
Sometimes, when I browse this book I think of giving it a try. Every
information is neatly arranged and everything is covered (from
behavior to feeding and tank space). Very useful and detailed
information on how to effectively set up a marine tank - even a non
- tropical one.
12. RUDIE
H. KUITER "GUIDE
TO SEA FISHES OF AUSTRALIA" by
NEW HOLLAND Publications. A small format guide with a
big content. Over 950 species described, every species with a full
color picture, a location map, and the basic information about its
habits. As I said, I am a Malawi fan not a marine one. Yet, I have
spent hours enjoying this book.
13. HERBERT
R. AXELROD & WARREN E. BURGESS "ATLAS
OF FRESHWATER AQUARIUM FISHES" 9TH
EDITION, by TFH Publications. The authors
claim that they have included more than 7.800 fish pictures in this
Atlas and you have to believe them. This hardcover massive book
(1.152 numbered pages) is a lifetime's work but still it leaves much
to be desired. The information on how to keep any species is
insufficient (use of general symbols) and definitely inferior to the
other Atlas (see previous page, book #1). There is no introduction
on fish keeping, no general guidelines, hints or tips. Many species
are seen many times in different places with sometimes contradicting
information. On the positive side, there are far more photos in this
book, many color variations (very important when you want to
identify a species), more species and of course, cichlids from one
particular zone are gathered together (a great plus). The problem
with scientific names (being largely outdated which leads to many
confusions) is present here, too. For the beginner, I would
recommend the other Atlas (book #1). For the advanced hobbyist the
decision is more difficult. For a book published in 1997 the info is
clearly outdated but, as the authors explain in the forward, by the
time the book was printed, many names had already changed.
14. PETER
HUNNAN, ANNABEL MILNE & PETER STEBBING "THE
LIVING AQUARIUM" by GRANGE
BOOKS. This large format, hardcover book was a really
nice surprise. It is the only book among the ones listed which
covers almost every topic the aquarist will ever need as long as he
doesn't specialize in a specific family of fishes. It covers
everything, from setting up an aquarium to plants, diseases,
lighting, even collecting fish in the wild. It expands to marine and
freshwater fishes and even includes a limited atlas with more than
200 species. The hobbyist may later need additional, more
specialized books, but nothing beats it as an introductory book.
15. ALEXANDER
FRANTZIS "MEDITERRANEAN
- AN UNDERWATER COURSE" by
KOAN Editions. Unfortunately this marvelous book is
in Greek. However, this should not stop the advanced hobbyist from
buying it since it is mostly pictorial. Published in 1999, it took
the author 10 years of research to complete it. The outstanding
photos will show everybody that the Mediterranean is full of color,
full of shapes, full of life. If this is what you want, you do not
need to go for the usual tropical marine (or reef) aquarium. Try
something different. Fishes, anemones, invertebrates, all pass
gloriously in front of your eyes. It makes me wonder whether my next
tank should just be a marine "Mediterranean" one. After
all, it is Mare Nostrum (Our Sea). I was recently informed by the
author that the book is also available in English (see below, # 15a).
Please note that the two editions (15 and 15a) are identical (apart
from the language of course).
15a. ALEXANDROS FRANTZIS
"The Meditteranean - Underwater Perspectives"
by KOAN Publishing House
64, Skoufa str. 106 80 Athens Greece, tel: 210-3628 265, fax:
210-3628307, 198 pages, large format, Hardcover. Illustrated with
more than 150 spectacular colour photos, this edition reveals the
incredible richness and beauty of the coastal, underwater
Mediterranean fauna. The highly readable text is addressed to both
the general and the specialist reader and presents a comprehensive
overview of a world, which lies within the first few meters of water
below the surface. A short introduction covers the fascinating
biological and geological history of the Mediterranean Sea and
presents its actual status together with conclusions and thoughts
concerning its conservation. Twelve chapters cover the groups of
sponges, anthozoans, jellyfish, worms, sea slugs, crustaceans, sea
stars and sea urchins, sea squirts and fishes, or discuss biological
phenomena like the camouflage ("The disappearing art"), the use of
colour as a message ("Eccentric messages", "Colorful memories") and
the schooling behaviour ("Fish schools"). The particular biological
stories of the underwater inhabitants of the Mediterranean Sea are
given as short introductions to each chapter or legends accompanying
each photo. Special care has been given to the quality of the whole
edition (e.g. paper, printing and presentation).
16. CHRIS
ANDREWS "A
FISHKEEPER'S GUIDE TO FANCY GOLDFISH" by
TETRA PRESS. An introductory volume which serves the
task of informing people that goldfishes are aquarium and not bowl
animals. The first section covers the basics (and more) while the
second section shows the most known varieties and includes some
fascinating photos. All in all, a very well written and useful book
for anyone interested in goldfishes.
17. BARRY
JAMES "A
FISHKEEPER'S GUIDE TO AQUARIUM PLANTS" by
TETRA PRESS. Contains the basics on growing plants in
an aquarium with many photos. The introduction section has enough
info on the basic elements that will help the novice aquarist to
create his first planted and healthy aquarium. The plant section is
a bit small and many widely used plant species are not included, but
there is enough information for those included.
18. DICK
MILLS "A
POPULAR GUIDE TO TROPICAL AQUARIUM FISHES" by
TETRA PRESS. All the basics about the freshwater
aquarium in an easy to read way. The first chapter covers all the
essentials (tank, plants, diseases, equipment) with many photos and
interesting text. The book contains extensive information on some of
the most common fishes which are divided into six sections. The
African cichlids are largely neglected in this book, something
natural for an "all around" book. All in all a good book
for the novice.
19.CHRIS
ANDREWS "A
FISHKEEPER'S GUIDE TO FISH BREEDING" by
TETRA PRESS. A useful guide to breeding, contains
general information in the first section and species information in
the second section. It should be noted that this book contains the
basics and covers as many species as possible therefore generalities
are to be expected. Some species are absent among them African
cichlids from the Rift Lakes. It may serve its purpose as an
introductory volume but the fish keeper must seek for more
information if he wants to succeed in breeding his fishes.
20.Tropical
Fish Hobbyist (TFH)
magazine. A wealth of information every month. Along with the next
entry, the two magazines recommended to all fish keepers. A great
deal to learn and some good time looking at the superb photos.
21.Freshwater
and Marine Aquarium
Magazine (FAMA).
Another classic. Many more articles, many more subjects but far less
photos.
22.
W. ADEY & K. LOVELAND "DYNAMIC
AQUARIA - BUILDING LIVING ECOSYSTEMS", 2nd Edition,
ACADEMIC PRESS,
500 pages. A
massive volume packed with information. In fact, its greatest
advantage is also its greatest drawback. Despite the sincere size of
this book, the amount of information included should be divided in
two books of that size. Sometimes the information is so packed that
even advanced hobbyists will have a great difficulty to get the
message. On the other hand, it covers almost every single matter we
need to know about and it covers it fully. Although it takes many
days to finish it you will definitely be better informed after
reading it and you will be full of new ideas - to the benefit of
your fish. It should be noted that the kind of information you will
find in this book is not readily available anywhere else (internet
included). The level of the book demands a good knowledge in biology
and chemistry.
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