Product Description
The Simple Guide to Marine Aquariums provides an easy-to-understand look at setting up and maintaining a successful saltwater aquarium. First published in 2002, this all-new second edition is a major revision to this bestselling guide, and features a brand new introduction addressing the rapid evolution in the marine hobby, plus an additional new chapter reviewing unusual and interesting saltwater setups and specimens. Written by two dedicated aquarium hobbyists with more than 80 years of experience between them, the comprehensive and authoritative information will guide new hobbyists to guaranteed success. A brand new design and layout makes the vital content easier than ever to access and understand, while the updated full-color photographs help illustrate the stunning beauty of marine aquaria. New sidebars are loaded with the most up-to-date information available to complement the topics covered throughout the text. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (8)

Good starter book
This is a good starter book for anyone interested in a saltwater (marine) aquarium.It provides some good information on tank set-up, water parameters, equipment, etc.It has a section on fish compatability and even gives a recommended list of fish for a 30 gallon tank.This is a good book to start with and is very easy to read.The author provides some good photos and did a good job separating information into each chapter.The book can be found on Amazon for only a couple of bucks making it well worth the money if you are new to the hobby.I would not recommend this book to those people that consider themselves advanced aquarists because it probably doesn't have the advanced information you might be looking for.However, it is a great book for beginners or those that are fairly new to the hobby.

helpful to a first timer!
read cover to cover! very useful book for a first timer. easy to read good information and photos!!!

Must read if you plan to succeed
Don't be fooled by it's title...the simplicity and well carried chapters allow everyone who reads this easy to follow book to jump start on this captivating hobby.
Many things can go wrong setting up a new acquarium and this book certainly helps avoid a lot of them.
A definite must read!

good basic
I have read countless books on Marine aquariums. while this is not the book for an expert it gives you a great idea on the basics of Marine aquariums. it will get you started. I love this book for things that the more advanced books seem to assume you already know. though there isnt anyting on corals in this book... basicly live rock and the fish... and a glimpse of what it takes for corals. a good read.

Very Complete
I really liked this book it gives you great information that can get you started and help you save money. ... Read more

Product Description
Practical and entertaining, this is a comprehensive, step-by-step guide to setting up and maintaining an aquarium full of healthy, thriving freshwater fish. Presented in the lively, highly readable style of The Complete Idiot's Guide series, it reveals the mysteries of buying aquarium equipment, setting up the tank, choosing the fish, ongoing care, nutrition, sickness and health, breeding and even fish behavior. All the fun fact boxes and cartoons that readers have come to love in The Complete Idiot's Guides will be here. And as a special bonus, the Reference Card will be a four-color fish identification chart. As are all the books in this wildly popular series, this will be the only guide a reader needs. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (35)

Amazing--A Must have for any Novice
This book is absolutely wonderfully, and a must have for any novice.My only regret is not purchasing this book sooner! The author goes into detail about all the basics of owning a fish--from tank selection to setting up the tank to how to establish a routine and keeping your fish healthy.I've kept fish for years, and a few tips that he suggested made my job 10x easier when it came to cleaning the tank and understanding how to troubleshoot various problems.He also includes crucial information on water quality, explaining the chemistry and fish biology in easy to read context without too much scientific jargon, as well as what to do when you have sick fish.He even addresses little things like--"I'm moving..how do I move my fish too?" 5 stars for this book, and I highly recommend if you're wanting a no non-sense, easy to read guide to get you started.

If you only get one book for freshwater aquariums...this is it!
I was kind of a newb when it came to fish and was going by some of the opinions of my room mate, since he had kept some fish successfully in a 20 gallon tank he got for free but my fish kept dying. I did a search on here for aquarium books and found this one. It was definitely a life saver and it has a ton of information on how to successfully keep your fish healthy, happy, and active. There is plenty of actual facts in the book that are not overwhelming but still deliver the information. There are plenty of diagrams and pictures and drawings to explain everything that he is talking about. I would say that the only drawback is not being in color because I could not make out some of the pictures. When i got this book I opened it up and then didnt put it down for 2 days and read it cover to cover. Overall, probably the best investment for keeping freshwater fish.

A must read before you buy your first fish !
This book should be read before you even buy your first aquarium . No person should go into keeping fish with out knowledge and this book has it . Mike Wickham leads you step-by-step from why you should keep fish to choosing the correct aquarium ,proper filtration , heating , lighting and decorations to the proper plants and fish for your new aquarium . He explains in easy to read instructions the process of cycling your new tank , how ammonia , pH , nitrites and nitrates effect your fish and how to test your water . In this book you find the proper instruction in care for your fish and maintenance of your aquarium , from how to properly feed your fish to partial water changes and cleaning . Mike will describe popular fish for beginners and what fish can cohabitate with one another . And so much more .

If this book was read before anyone even purchased their first aquarium , they would find it to be an easy and enjoyable process with little to no fish loss during those first few weeks during the "break in" cycle . After many years of keeping fish I still refer to it when I have questions . Every aquarium hobbyist should have this on their bookshelf .

Superior Service!
Received book within only a few days of purchase. It is a used book, but is in excellent condition, exactly as advertised, with no marks on it. I wouldn't hesitate to use this vendor again, especially for used books!

A Must-Have
Reading this book is like having an aquarium-expert friend to take shopping with you. The author tells you which fish are best for beginners, what fish shouldn't even be sold, what qualities a dealer should have, what equipment you should buy, what equipment is a waste of your money, what products are dangerous, what plants are no good but are sold for aquariums anyway, etc. I finally found answers to a lot of questions that other books didn't cover. The book discusses cleaning schedules, necessary floor strength, and moving concerns. It explains water chemistry as simply as possible. There is list of the author's favorite aquarium books and other info sources. He even tells you how you can reach him.

The reasons why I didn't give this book 5 stars are trivial: Hard to make out black + white photos and substandard proofreading. Still, everyone who has or wants an aquarium needs this book.
... Read more

Product Description
THE BOOK TO BRING HOME BEFORE YOU BRING HOME A SALTWATER AQUARIUM!

This book is a great way to test the waters before you take the plunge. Saltwater aquariums are intriguing, mesmerizing, and relaxing. However, they do require a commitment of time and money. Are you up for the challenge? With this practical, hands-on guide, you'll know what to expect. You'll have information on choosing the aquarium, equipment, and fish; proper setup and maintenance; and more. Information and interactive features include:

WORKSHEETS that help you make informed decisions

QUESTIONS to help you determine if your family is ready for a saltwater aquarium

CHARTS showing the time and money required for setting up and maintaining a 30-gallon tank or larger unit

CHECKLISTS covering how to properly locate the aquarium, supplies needed, and more

AIDS for creating a timetable and a stocking plan

MAINTENANCE CHARTS to keep you organized

RESOURCES to keep in a notebook with your maintenance logs, fish purchasing records, and more

Bring Me Home! Saltwater Aquariums Make a Great Hobby covers feeding fish and invertebrates, common mistakes and how to avoid them, creating a reef habitat, and more. It's a reference you'll rely on again and again if you decide to dive into this rewarding hobby. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Excellent Starting Point for New Aquarists...
I was very impressed with this book. It covers a lot of information starting from what you need to consider while deciding if you and your family are even ready to add an aquarium to your home. Then it goes on to helpful information like whether you want a fish only or mini reef, costs involved, choosing the right tank, choosing a theme, decorations, live rock, how to set up the tank, how to cycle the tank and which tests to perform, info on some of the most popular fish and how to choose the right ones, how to choose a good dealer and what questions to ask them (and they list the answers you should get to tell if the dealer is good or not), and how to keep your fish healthy. And that's only the things I can think of off the top of my head!!

There's just tons of excellent info and some common sense tips that may not have occurred to you along with helpful charts that you can photocopy and use. Very helpful and worded in a way that was very easy for a beginner like myself to understand. Definitely invest in this one if you're just starting out. You won't regret it. ... Read more

Product Description
Planted Aquariums: Creation and Maintenance starts with a discussion of light, soil, and water requirements for keeping plants in aquariums.The next chapter gives the reader guidelines for choosing the right plants for their tanks.The major portion teaches how to plan for, purchase, and install plants in the aquarium.There is a detailed section that is useful for someone who just wants to put a few hardy plants into a small tank as well as for the serious hobbyist aiming to create a show tank.Sections on plant care, water quality, problem solving, and fish in planted aquariums round out the picture.A special section on Dutch and Japanese planted tanks provides a wider perspective."Hands on" information is available for hobbyists who want their tanks to shine.Although the book is comprehensive, the beginner can learn how to create and maintain a simple tank or a more complex one. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (7)

Fine book but can be better.
I had high expectation for this book after reading many favorable reviews. This book is fine but somewhat less than expected. I was unable to find answers to many specific questions such as a general guide line on CO2 dosages, how to control snail, how to deal with tannic acid leached from drift woods, fertilization techniques. There is a helpful chart of all types of plants and it's care requirement. Unfortunately, many of the plants in the list does not have a picture in the book.

Useful information about Aquascaping
It is well-oriented reading book pointing out that the aquarist/aquahorticulturist might be quite successful even if he/she realises the importance of using the basic elements in a correct way, which we couldn't pay attention in a required manner. The author basically refers to the facts on Dutch aquascaping and also highlights the wrong practises and recognitions in world-wide aquascaping. The reader might benefit even further when he/she reads this book by referring to the reference book called "Aquarium Plants" written by the same Author, especially while having hands-on experience.

Great planted aquarium reference
I think this is one of the most useful books I have seen on aquarium plants and the planted aquarium. It is well organized, offers great planting and maintenance advice, and I refer to it frequently. One of the most useful features is an appendixof plants organized by characteristics, size, light requirements, optimal temperature, suggested location, minimum aquarium size and comments, cross referenced to photos in the book. This feature alone is worth the price of the book!

A great read for serious beginners
Christel Kasselmann unfolds the technical steps that beginners need to know in an honest way. A must read BEFORE setting up a plant aquarium.

Fantastic
This book by Christel Kasselmann, is excellent reading material,it is informative and I would recommend this book to beginner to professional. ... Read more

Product Description
Use this as your troubleshooting companion to address a range of both common and infrequent freshwater aquarium needs, from keeping the water balanced and clear and maintaining equipment to plant choices and how to handle lost or missing fish. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Chapters pair color photos with sidebars of at-a-glance information and plenty of easy tips.
Every aquarium will have a problem at some point, so any aquarium owner and many a library catering to them needs Freshwater Aquarium Problem Solver. It provides detailed information on everything from balancing water chemistry and understanding equipment problems to fish health and diseases. Chapters pair color photos with sidebars of at-a-glance information and plenty of easy tips.

Diane C. Donovan
California Bookwatch ... Read more

Product Description

This useful guide helps simplify the setup and care of saltwater aquariums. Featuring easy-to-read charts of compatible tankmates, this book assists in species selection for both the beginner and advanced hobbyist.

... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Great step-by-step guide for beginners
Being a fresh water aquarium hobbist since I was 6 years old, I always wanted to start a marine aquarium but was always afraid, because I always heard about the far higher costs, the "cycling time" that meant that you could insert new fishes only after one month you setup your system, and the far more complicated maintenance. But this book demystified everything for me.

It is a step-by-step guide on how to setup your first salt water aquarium without entering into unecessary explanations. Following this book you can build your own system and have fishes in it in less than a week -- and I am counting here the time for you to visit some stores to research prices and getting acquainted with the products you will have to buy.

The quality of the book is top-notch: excellent paper, excellent design, hard-cover. The problem, though, is that it lacks more illustrations and some are very deceitful. It seems that the author just wrote the text and the publishing house had to insert some pictures to go along. So sometimes there are some boxes alerting the reader on some fishes to avoid and the publisher put a picture of a fish there to illustrate, problem is that it isn't from the fish the author is talking about!

I could setup my first salt water tank following the steps presented in this book but I changed some stuff that the author failed to mention:

1. Filter: he suggests two hang-on wet/dry filters and no word is given to canister filters, which require less maintenance and are quieter. I chose the later.

2. Illumination: he says only to put two lamps without explaining the detials of which kind of lamp you should use. I've done my research and for the kind of system he recommends (fish with live rock a.k.a. Berlin system) you should use one 5500º K or 6500º K lamp plus a blue "Actinic". He also failed to mention that you should buy a timer to automatically turn on and off the lamps (the first one should be turned on for 8 hours/day and the second one should be turned on for 12 hours/day).

3. Electrical connection: failed to mention that you need to have a ground-fault interruptor (a.k.a. GFCI); I bougth mine at Home Depot.

These are the only three things that I changed from what is written on the book. I also bought two other great books for choosing fishes and invertebrates and believe me, all other books are far harder to follow that this little but effective guide.

Another problem with this books is that the author constantly says that he will explain how to do a "fresh water dip" on Chapter 7 and how this is the most important thing for preventing diseases, however in nowhere in the book (including Chapter 7) this procedure is taught. I had to learn how to do this from another book (The Conscientious Marine Aquarist). ... Read more

Product Description
This book simplifies the setup of a freshwater aquarium.Find out the items necessary to maintain an attractive and thriving aquarium, from equipment and décor to the best food choices for your aquatic pets. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

Better books out there for the beginner
25 years ago I kept 12+ aquariums and thought I would buy a couple of books to get back in the swing of things.I bought this book thinking it was going to be refresher...man was I wrong.As soon as I saw the fake color of the fish on the cover I knew I was being hooked by a slick "Animal Planet Book"

This book poorly attempts to instruct the reader by explaining topics only half way.For the "Absolute Uniformed" this will seem like lots of good information, however the key points could be made much more simply and clearly in half the number of pages.

This book completely misses the opportunity to include "How To Pictures" and illustrations to support the text.A picture is worth a thousand words...but I guess that well known clique is missed by the "Animal Planet's" publication staff.

I would strongly recommend as an alternative "Setting Up a Tropical Aquarium Week by Week" by Stuart Thraves.This book has 10 times the information in twice the number of pages and has excellent illustrations to support the text. It is well organized so that it can be used as a reference because undoubtedly the average new enthusiast will need to read sections as issues arise.

Excellent Book
I bougth this book because I am planning to buy an aquarium and I don't have any idea abouth this subject. I really enjoyed reading this book because it is simple, and gave me a very good picture of the things that I need to do to set up an aquarium successfully. It gives a very good introduction if you are not familiar with aquariums. This book is a must if you are getting your first aquarium.

Very good
This book gives a very comprehensive overview of all aspects one would want to explore when keeping a freshwater fish tank.

A useful, attractive and easy manual you have here.
If you're a first-time aquarium owner interested in the basics of setting up a freshwater aquarium, Freshwater Aquariums is the perfect starting point. Envision a simple, easily-followed book packing in colorful photos to illustrate fish care and set-up, tips on species selection and maintenance, and colorful charts and sidebars of fish information and you will realize what a useful, attractive and easy manual you have here.

Diane C. Donovan
California Bookwatch ... Read more

Product Description
The delicate balance of water chemistry and fish care is demystified in this entertaining, comprehensive, and step-by-step guide and reveals the mysteries of buying aquarium equipment and setting up the tank. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (16)

Great, but overpriced
I purchased this book for my husband, who is starting a salt-water tank.He LOVES it and it has been extremely helpful.I was a bit disappointed when I saw on the book that the list price was 16.95 and I paid $24.95 for it.This may be because it is not easily available from other venues - I'm not sure, but I do feel a bit ripped off.

FANTASTIC Book !!!
As a beginner in saltwater aquariums, I have bought numerous books now but this by far is the best!I got it used & cheap from a used bookstore on Amazon and it was so worth it. Its very thick and packed full of information.....information that a beginner can actually understand!And this writer is realllly funny !I have laughed out loud reading this book. He just throws in these little wise-cracks once in awhile and it just makes it that much for fun to read.This is a must for anyone who is just starting in saltwater aquariums or considering it.In fact, buy this book 1st if you can, before you even go get your aquarium. It starts out with picking out an aquarium, what supplies you need, what not to waste your money on, then up the fish to get, what to feed them, and how to keep them healty.

Awesome!
This book was funny and informative.I read his freshwater guide and loved it.He tells lots of useful information with pictures!Read this book!!

Easy read and very informative!
I have read several books, and this one was by far the easiest to read!But don't let that fool you!Despite this, it is full of great information!If you are looking into getting saltwater fish, and don't want a book which sounds like a college chemistry book, this is the one for you!

The Complete Idiots Guide to Setting Up a Saltwater Aquarium
As a novice aquarist, I have to say that this book is GREAT! Ihad read many books on the subject, but this one gave me the courageto actually set up my dream marine aquarium. It has been eight months, and I now have a tank to be proud of. It has inspired several friends and family to start their own. They also have learned a great deal from this book. It is now well worn from use. It continues to be my bible for any questions I may have. ... Read more

Product Description

Customer Reviews (11)

Great
The George books are all awesome!Our 4 year-old son has liked every one, and we've liked them.They're pretty quick and easy reading, takes 3-5 minutes to complete, depending on how long he want's to look at each page after you're done reading them.But they are good, cute stories, just like the shows, he laughs out loud and comments quite a bit as we're reading.If you watch the show and haven't read any of the books before, they are very similar in style and look to each other, as close as a kids book to a kids show can be.No one book has been any better or worse than any of the others, they're all very good.We will probably end up buying them all.

Not a cute classic George story
We like Curious George, but this story seems a little forced. It isn't simple and cute like some of the others we like (Curious George goes to the Zoo, Curious George and the Pizza).It is very wordy and kind of confusing because the pictures don't really match what is happening.I don't usually give books a bad review, but even my son doesn't ask me to read this one that often.

Not Written by the Reys, and It Shows
I love Curious George, but this book is just poorly written. It's written by Anderson, not Margret and H.A. Rey, and the style is disjointed and odd. The pictures are good and my daughter still enjoys it, but we thought it was an original Rey book when we bought it. Not hardly.

George is Great
Along with Clifford and Biscuit books, my 4 yr old grandson loves all the Curious George books, including this one.They are great for him and any children just learning to read.

Curious Geroge at the Aquarium
My 2 year old grandson enjoys the this and other Curious George stories.He would like to have them all. ... Read more

Product Description

Culturing Live Foods is an essential guide for hobbyists who want to feed their aquatic pets a natural diet. It includes up-to- date, authoritative information on the best bacteria, worms, crustaceans, plants, shrimps, insects, and more to offer as nutritious foods for one's fishes, whether they are larvae, juveniles, or full-grown adults. It is also the first book to devote in-depth coverage to recently adopted live foods like rotifers, cyclops, Walter worms, blackworms, Dero worms, Halocardina and Neocardina shrimp, and Mysis shrimp.

This comprehensive guide covers the most popular live foods for home aquaria, reviews their benefits, and gives step-by-step instructions on how to culture and harvest them. And not only does Culturing Live Foods focus on freshwater cultures, but it also includes cultures for saltwater aquaria. Also, some cultures detailed in the book can be used not only by aquarium hobbyists but also by amphibian and reptile hobbyists.

This exclusive one-stop source of culturing information is a welcome innovation to obtaining information that once could only be found on the Internet and in outdated books.

... Read more

Customer Reviews (8)

Great buy
First review that I've ever written and I can't say enough good things about this book.I've kept some live foods before for my fish and have seen how much the fish thrive on them.I've already used the tips for microworms and whiteworms and they've worked great.If you want to keep live foods this is the book to learn from

Great source of information
This is a great resource to get you started in culturing live foods for your fish. I have found some great ideas in this book and have started making fish food for my tilapia (cichlids) using shrimp, vegetables from my garden and some purchased spirulina powder. I have also started grindal worm cultures for my smaller fish a red wiggler culture for my larger fish. I would definitely recommend this book to someone who is just getting started and would like to learn the basics.

Something different for the avid aquarium owner.
If you've ever seen your aquarium fish look hungry for more, then Michael R. Hellweg's Culturing Live Foods: A Step-by-Step Guide for Culturing One's Own Food for the Home Aquarium is for you. It tells how to make happier fish by cultivating live foods they like - plants, multi-celled organisms, crustaceans, mollusks and worms - over 80 such foods in all. Culture methods, materials needed, color sidebars of reference information and more make for discussions of species, care, and what kinds of aquarium fish they can feed. Libraries specializing in aquarium owner's guides will find this offers something different for the avid aquarium owner.

Highly informative, easy to read.
The information contained in this book will prove invaluable to anyone interested in maintaining or breeding just about any species of tropical fish,and it is written in a down to earth style that is very easy to understand.
You can't go wrong with this book.

Fabulous book
This is a terrific, up-to-date resource by Mike Hellweg, a master fish breeder whose success with fish is built on his success in feeding his fish appropriate live foods.

I've been discussing the culture of various live foods with Mike for several years now, and studying a lot of what has been easily available on the internet, and even put together my own web page reviewing the techniques I've used with my own cultures.But this book has already given me new tips and tricks on creatures I thought I knew all about, and given me confidence to try some that I've failed with in the past. The details are just right to enable success with each organism, and there are good sources for more information if you want or need it.

This book is also an excellent primer on spawning fish, because several species are discussed as easily bred feeders for larger fish.Those are tips you can use to propagate those and related species for your own enjoyment even if you don't keep predatory fish.

I can't recommend this highly enough for the aquarist who wants to keep and spawn happy, healthy fish.
... Read more

Product Description
Axelrod..mini atlas of freshwater fish ... Read more

Customer Reviews (23)

Great!
Quick shipping!I bought the book used and it was great.Thanks! I would buy from here again!

I love it
I now have this book in English and in Spanish. This is a great book for identifying freshwater fish. The pictures are amazing. I really love this book. I am a newspaper reporter...when meetings I cover get boring this book provides hours of entertainment for me. I love both of them.
The book in Spanish allows me to brush up on my Spanish. I am so happy that I have them. They are my favorite books of all time. Dr. Axelrod's knowledge of fish is tremendous. I highly recommend Dr. Axelrod's Mini-Atlas of Freshwater Aquarium Fishes to everyone who has at least one aquarium and loves fish.
I was able to identify my Synodontis Petricola catfish because of this book. Pet store employees often don't have the knowledge they need to sell fish. Now that I have this book I can identify fish in a pet store before I buy them. I also learnedhow to make my live plants thrive. My 75 gallon aquarium is beautiful...this book will help me keep it that way.

Sincerly,

Kim Lawrence in Pittsburgh Pa.

Axelrod's Mini-Atlas a real find!
This is an amazing catalogue and description of fresh water aquarium fish. I have kept fish--salt water and fresh water--for over 40 years and still found new informative and interesting information in Axelrod's Atlas. It would have been one step better if the sexes of the fish were better identified in the pictures but thats getting pretty picky and all in all the book is a bargain in price and information.

Tropicle Fish
I find this atlas very fine for getting to realy know about your fish tank.

A usefull tool in the aquarist library
The bulk book is just hundreds of photographs of fish fallowed by basic information about the fish therein. It is organized by fish family as many things are in the aquarium hobby. The book has three Indexes, fish alphabetized by scientific name, fish alphabetized by common name, and an index for the text portion of the book, and I think that is brilliant. The photos are a tiny bit grainy however the photos are taken in such a way that the fish in the picture are very detailed, and you could easily use this book to identify an unknown fish. There is information about many common plants, the book also has short basic sections about health, breeding, maintenance, equipment, the stuff that is in most fish books, etc. My one major complaint is I wish there was more information about each individual fish such as sexual dimorphism, water chemistry, and breeding, also the common names are not with the photos only the scientific names are so they must be cross-referenced in the index. I think many people have given this book a bad review simply because it comes so highly recommended that people expect it to be allot more than it is. its no holy grail of the fish books, far from it, but I think for what it is it does good. ... Read more

Product Description
Ethics on the Ark presents a passionate, multivocal discussion—among zoo professionals, activists, conservation biologists, and philosophers—about the future of zoos and aquariums, the treatment of animals in captivity, and the question of whether the individual, the species, or the ecosystem is the most important focus in conservation efforts. Contributors represent all sides of the issues. Moving from the fundamental to the practical, from biodiversity to population regulation, from animal research to captive breeding, Ethics on the Ark represents an important gathering of the many fervent and contentious viewpoints shaping the wildlife conservation debate. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

A little one sided
I wanted a book that discussed the ethics behind captive animals, however this book was decidedly one sided.While I generally agree with animal rights ethics, I wanted to learn more about the reasons TO keep animals captive, and this book did not furnish that side.In fact, I felt most of the submitting authors displayed a hostile tendancy.It is a decent book on the history of zoos, as long as you're only interested in seeing this subject from one perspective.It left me feeling defensive.

Good material on history and future of zoos
This is an excellent resource for anyone interested in the history and future of zoos and animal parks, as well as offering an assessmentof present day facilities.Pro and con essays on a variety of topics relatedto zoo management, aquisition of animals and captive breeding provide bothsides of the controversial issue of maintaining animals in captivity. Slight bias toward the view of zoos as the only viable future situation forwildlife but still offers critical analysis of

issues involved. ... Read more

Product Description
Easy-to-follow, step-by-step illustrations help developing artists of all ages draw animals commonly found at the aquarium. Use simple basic shapes to create accurate likenesses of the angelfish, octopus, penguin, clownfish, lobster, sea lion, starfish, whale, and 24 other creatures of the deep. 30pp. of black-and-white illustrations.
... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

kids love it
My kids love to use this book as a guideline for drawing sealife. ... Read more

Product Description
Told through the observant and wise eyes of a veteran kindergarten teacher, a lyrical look at the hidden structures of life in an urban elementary school classroom.

The loss of veteran teachers with their deep knowledge of children, the successes and failures of different teaching models, and the constraints and possibilities of educational institutions affect schools everywhere. In Welcome to the Aquarium veteran educator Julie Diamond spells out what an experienced teacher knows and shows the magic a veteran teacher works in a classroom.

Tracking the progress of one prototypical collection of kindergarteners as they become a class with a distinct personality of its own, Diamond guides us through the myriad details of classroom life: the organization, curriculum, and relationships that create a unique class culture—a culture that, she eloquently argues, can represent the reality of our social ideals and values.

For parents as well as new and even experienced teachers, Diamond lays out the logic behind the routines and rituals children need to thrive. Like Tracy Kidder's Among Schoolchildren, Welcome to the Aquarium offers a lyrical look at the hidden structures of life in an elementary school classroom, but from the perspective of an expert insider and educator. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Child-Centered Kindergarten
Julie Diamond writes about her kindergarten class and weaves her philosophy of teaching throughout the text. A great book for educators, parents, and anyone who wants to see what kindergarten should be like--discovery, experimentation, curiosity, socialization, and learning--and what is should not include--standardized testing, imposed standards. Diamond writes of following the children's lead in creating her study themes and units as well as using the children's work to cover the classroom walls, allowing them to make an environment that belongs to them. Her words were inspiring and filled with hope for an educational system that helps children become learners and not just cogs in its wheels.

Everything you wanted to know about kindergarten
I worked as a kindergarten ed. assistant for four years and I can testify that Ms. Diamond's book, "Welcome to the Aquarium," honestly reflects what happens in that first year of elementary education. It's all there: the routines, the frustrations, the socialization (or lack of), the formalized exposure to skills that will enable them as adults, and of course, the love and joy that will usually prevail when you are surrounded by a group of joyful, squirming, vibrant five year olds.

You'll never see kindergarten the same again
Great performances should look effortless -- the culmination of the monumental effort that went into their preparation.But never before had I thought of that as applying to kindergarten! I hated kindergarten (at least for the six weeks that they let me stay there). Thanks to the insights of Julie Diamond, I now have some comprehension of what was going on.Mostly meant for the motivated educator, this in-depth look at early schooling can also take the lay reader (such as myself) behind the scenes to see what can happen when it is done right -- making a seamless delightful experience in the shaping young lives.You will never look at parent-teacher conference day the same way again! ... Read more

Product Description
A lavishly illustrated reference covering all aspects of keeping fish, the Encyclopedia of Aquarium & Pond Fish is the first book on the market to provide care and identification information on all types of fish for every possible environment, from indoor aquariums to outdoor ponds. The book contains a directory of over 800 of the most popular fish freshwater, saltwater, coldwater, and tropical‹showing not only what each fish looks like, but what food they eat, which species they can cohabit with, how big they grow, and much more. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (11)

awesome awesome awesome book
i have a lot of books on aquariums but this is the only one i really use, i suggest any DK book for that matter, great price of $5 in the used section

A complete expert definitive advice directory guide
Every hobbiest has to agree and oppose that this practical useful expert information reference advice guide is both a confronting challange and a very costly endeavour for anybody going into or embarking in fish aquarium tanks.What this book lacks in having a firm price fish pet index resource reference it makes up for or replaces in having a unique beautiful respectful photography directory with side bar information on individual seperate species of fish.Also on the plus side of this hobby amazon readers is that you will get a greater deep understanding about the lifestyle of fish in giving you a assured confidence.

Beautiful book!
I love this book!I got a number of fish books for my fiance for Christmas.He has really gotten into freshwater fish and has six tanks at home now that he takes good care of.Out of all the books I got this was definitely both of our favorite!The pictures are high quality and beautiful.It is well organized and a great book to use as a reference tool or just to put out on your coffee table for leisurely perusal.I highly recommend it.

5 stars for fresh water 3 for salt.
When I first bought this book it was for information with fresh water fish and it covers them with a commendable amount of detail.The book contains almost every fresh water fish that you are likely to encounter in a -mart store and the majority of average local fish stores.There are large pictures of every species covered as well as information on what kind of tank requirements that the fish will need helpful notes on a lot of the "beginner" fishes on how to get them to spawn in your home and if they can be placed in a community tank of if the fish should be kept alone.There are a few areas that the book has slightly outdated information and a anyone that has ever had a tank of Discus will quickly find a number of inaccuracies with there two page listing.The only criticism that I have about the freshwater section of the book is that the kill fish section is small, while this is common in most books it is always a disappointment.

The freshwater plant section of the book has some helpful information but is lacking light guides, but if you find a plant that is in the book and are thinking about adding it to your tank 30 seconds with google will give you all the missing information.

I have been keeping fresh water fish since I was in grade school and now 20 something years later I am setting up my fist salt water tank. The book assumes that I know a lot of things that I don't and there are a number of items referenced but not explained that someone new to saltwater does not know often leaving me with more questions then answers, maybe when I have a little more experience with salt water the information will be handy.

I rely can not comment on the pond fish area of the book, I don't have any experience with ponds or any idea if the information is complete.

Decent
This book is a decent source for an overview of a number of fish. It does seem to be missing a lot of fish that are somewhat common in fishtanks, such as puffer fish, etc. If you're looking for a general book with lots of pictures then this book can satisfy. However if you're looking for more in depth information or specific fish, this book can be hit and miss. ... Read more

Product Description

Whether you are a dedicated tropical fish hobbyist, researcher, dealer, or wildlife agent, Dr. Axelrod's Atlas of Freshwater Aquarium Fishes offers a reliable zoogeographical method of listing species for a unique and simplified approach to fish identification. With hundreds of taxonomic changes since the previous edition, the Atlas incorporates a common name index as well as a scientific name index to the species identified within. It also provides full-color photos for more than 7,000 species of freshwater fishes from around the world, with emphasis on the most popular groups. New and improved photos of key species increase the informational value of the book over the previous edition.

Species added to this 11th edition of the Atlas include several rare livebearing species, along with a wide assortment of new-to-the-book fishes from the popular Neotropical cichlids group, South American killifish species, South American loricariid catfish group, and relatives of the popular Siamese Fighting Fish, Betta splendens. Added species very recently appearing on the aquarium scene also include the Vietnamese White Cloud, Endler's Livebearer, the Goo-Obo Gudgeon, Denison's Red Lined Barb, and the Dwarf Blue Rainbowfish among others.

Featuring newly added species, superior photography, and more informative content than ever before, the revised 11th edition of Dr. Axelrod's Atlas of Freshwater Aquarium Fishes is an essential ichthyological reference book that provides quick but accurate identifications to a wide selection of the hobby's most notable aquarium fishes.

... Read more

Customer Reviews (37)

i wish to be more "flexible"
The book is excellent in terms of volume of pictures, but I was expecting something more "flexible". It is too difficult to find some fish because of choosed type of classification. if somebody knows only the common name of fish (that I believe is normal situation, not all of us are ichthyologists to be familier with scientific names) he cannot find anything. Again to the internet, but I bought this volume exactly to avoid the display.
in generally of caurse the book is very impressive and good worked.

Nice Pictures but...
I have to agree with the other reviews. I was somewhat disappointed with the lack of written content but it is an excellent reference for those that want or need help with species identification using pictures.

encyclopedia
This is an encyclopedia, not a book on how to set up aquariums. This book has decent pics (some pics are dead and dried fish which isn't all that helpful) and scientific classifications. It is great if you found a fish that you can't identify. For the most part, it will have any fish you are looking for...but every now and again, you will come across a fish not listed. Maybe this is because the book is a little outdated, but it is always good to have several encyclopedias anyway.

Great book!
It does exactly what it is meant to do, which is identification of freshwater fish.It's split into regions, which makes it easy to find the fish you want.It also gives general information on all the fish using a key on the back of the book, so that you know things like if they are an egglayer or mouthbreeder.I am finding it very useful, as well as easy to use!

EXCELLENT
Exhaustive encyclopedia with thousands of pictures.Perhaps a little to large and unwieldy.Not a place on the lap and browse kind of book. Excellent reference, tho I wish it had the common names with the pictures and not at the back of the book.This may be due to space and numerous common names of certain fish.Also, some kind of indents on the edges separating areas of the world.I was a little surprise to find it did not have 3 of my wild Betta's listed and in some cases, picture quality could be better. Overall excellent but limited detail on fish species. L. SCOTT, OSAKA,JP ... Read more

Product Description
Bettas are a unique tropical fish with attractive features. This handy book makes it easy and fun to find favorites from the many different types of bettas, and is a great tool to help make the best care choices for these colorful fish. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (8)

Packed with information!
An indispensable resource for recent and veteran betta fanciers, this text does not burden the reader with esoteric details concerning betta genetics and pigmentation, nor is excessive attention paid to the diversity of wild bettas which amateur hobbyists will never see.(Much of this detail is covered in _The Betta Handbook_ by Goldstein.)_Aquarium Care of Bettas_ discusses how to give your betta a good life, simple things like providing him more room to move and breathe in or adding salt to the water or changing the water often, all of which can make a huge difference in quality of life.The text is lively and accessible, with plenty of full-color pictures demonstrating types of Betta splendens.Consultation of this book can be the beginning of an inquiry into whether to provide heat and filtration to a betta tank;research online reveals that so many small heaters can cook the fish.I have consulted my copy several times already and will continue to do so.

Pristine condition, as described!
The book was exactly how it was described. I am very pleased with my purchase.

Quite Good Book!
This book features basic tips on caring bettas, example tank sizes for betta, amount of feeding and treatments of various diseases. Inside the book contains many tips and pictures about betta. This book is good for starters, but quite simple for experts. Actually, many websites also provide good tips on caring a betta. Anyway, I like this book.

an introduction of bettas for beginner
this book provides basic knowledge about care of bettas.very useful.anybody who would like to learn more about betta will find it valuable.

A very informative little book.
I bought this book for my Mom, she has a new male Betta. We learned so much and the pictures are colorful. We were also happy it arrived so quickly.....thank you!!!! ... Read more

Product Description
Translated from the popular 1999 revised German edition, this text describes the temperature, water, fertilizer, and light needs of more than 300 aquarium plants. Artificial lighting - lamp types, color temperatures, and mounting - is discussed in detail and the author provides advice on choosing the right plants for an aquarium. Ecological factors, flower biology and morphology, and reproduction methods receive detailed coverage. The book contains 525 color photographs with nearly all plants depicted with fully developed submerged foliage. Many of the photographs of rare plants were published for the first time in the German edition. Botanists as well as professional and amateur aquarium keepers will find this book indispensable. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (10)

Great book
It is good book about aquarium plants for everyone. There are detailed information about water, lightning, culturing more species aq. plants, . . .

Great for everyone in the hobby
This book is a great source of knowledge on aquatic plants. a must for anyone in the hobby! Author has given the water values of almost every plant, or at least a good place to starts with others.

Best Aquarium Plants Book
This book of the Author is the most comprehensive book, that I've ever had chance to refer to, written about the aquarium plants. I'd like to point my two concerns out: 1) A book printed on semi-glossy or matte paper would be much easier to be read due to its prevention of light reflection especially when it has lots of photos. 2) Although the book contains hundreds of photos, it would be better if both the submersed and immersed photos for each plant have been put.

_THE_ Aquarium Plant Reference Book!
If you buy only one aquatic plant book, make it this one. It's so heavy with detailed information and spectacular photos that it makes my arm tired just holding it. The first 85 pages are about aquatic plant habitat, morphology, and propagation. There is information on planted aquarium care, design, and choosing correct plants. That leads up to the 400+ pages that represent a compendium of aquatic plant species, each with detailed descriptions and photos. There are useful appendixes, too. I own hundreds of aquarium books. This is one I turn to most.

Great read for aquatic plant enthusiasts
Christel Kasselmann's knowledge and passion on aquatic plants are unsurpassed. However the book is a bit out-dated as it has not included the latest plants available especially from my part of the world. ... Read more

Product Description
The authoritative information and advice you need, illustrated throughout with full-color photographs--now revised and redesigned to be even more reader-friendly!

A freshwater aquarium offers an endlessly fascinating pageant of movement and color. But how do you set up a tank and select the right fish? And how do you maintain an aquarium to keep your fish happy and healthy? This updated guide delivers the answers, providing all the facts and advice you need, including:
* Tips on setting up and designing your aquarium
* An illustrated guide to popular tropical fish
* Pointers on selecting the right mix of fish
* The lowdown on maintaining your aquarium
* Guidance on keeping your fish healthy
* The scoop on how to breed your fish ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

A Wise Buy
I checked this book (and many others) out of the library before purchasing.Being new to the hobby I found this to be one of the better books for routine maintenance schedules, feeding, fish health, etc. ... Read more

Product Description
This book shows you step-by-step and fish-by-fish how to create a beautiful, harmonious aquarium that mimics a natural habitat and fosters healthy fish and plant life. It includes more than eighty detailed recipes for aquariums of different types and sizes, specific aquarium model designs, the basics of aquarium setup and maintenance, and a 16-page color catalog of fish and plant varieties. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

It has no photos!
This book covers an interesting subject, but it has almost no image, so think about it if you want to buy it. It has many description of aquarium biotopes, but only in textual form.

Valuable infomation but needs more Picturesand Diagrams
I was most impressed with this book and the tecknickal information but this book lacks the pictures and diagrams to make it an outstanding book.
The information is there but words cannot convey it without additional pictures and diagrams to make it clear. Most fish raiseing hobbest do not want a school type text book. They are looking for answers and new ideas that require pictures and diagrams to make the discribed sceens come alive and understandable.

I would give this book a 10 star rating if Pictures and Diagrams were added.

Skipper Roy
(Member of Exectutive Council, Missouri Aquarium Society, Inc.)

Good Solid Information
This book would be useful to a beginner or advanced aquarist. The plant layouts for various types of fish was very easy to understand. A great all around book.

Pictures and diagrams paints a thousand words
A real disappointment! It promises so much but delivered so little. The book would have been excellent if it had included photos, pictures and layout diagram of most or all the different tanks. The 16-page color insert is not an inspiring catalog of fish and plant varities as metioned, in fact it's rather pathetic. I can't understand how the back cover of the book can promise that the book would show readers step-by-step and fish-by-fish how to create the aquarium models. I can't find any step-by-step instructions anywhere. If this was a cookbook, which it is not, then it would only been average. I hope the author would expand the book in his next edition with real step-by-step instructions with photos, pictures and diagrams. He could take advice from the old adage, "a picture paints a thousand word". All in all, too much words and just simply boring. Anyone can write a receipe, readers need some proof of the finished aquarium models. I think readers will find books by Takashi Amano more useful and inspiring, at least they have a picture of the model aquariums in which to aspire for. ... Read more