Customer Reviews

Aquarium Sharks & Rays: An Essential Guide to Their Selection, Keeping, and Natural History

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
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I have read a pre-release version of this book and it is great. Anyone intersted in the aquaria of sharks or rays really needs to get a copy of this book! It is the 1st book ever to deal with the selection and maintaining of sharks and rays in home aquarium. Not only that but the book is very well priced.

This is a great comprehensive view of aquarium sharks and rays. Unfortunately this book points out the truth, sharks are big! Even for a professional marine aquarist such as my self, you'll learn that the husbandry requirements for these animals is often obsured. This is a great book for professionals and those involved in public aquariums. With an overview on breeding, feeding, and health, this book is an excellent introduction to sharks and rays.

-Andy Nicola
Iowa's premire marine aquarist

It goes into so much detail, from the family to each individual fish (only ones found in aquarium trade though). There is a chapter on common parasites and a range of different treatment methods for both bacterial and parasitic infections, which foods might induce feeding in a new specimen (and which to avoid), size and housing ratios, different methods of filtration, descriptions of many different fishes that can and can't be kept with sharks/rays, a chapter on captive reproduction for many different species and how to care for the newborns, if necessary- how to force feed, materials suitable for custom tanks, plus so much information (ph, specific gravity, copper sensitivity, feeding habits, acclimation to aquarium, degree of rarity in trade- from exceedingly common to rarely seen, ease of captive care, suitable size tank ex.110 gal or whatever number in liters [from metric to imperial applies to dimensions also], to each species distinctive features) about the individual sharks and rays themselves. Plus so much more. A definite 5!

Everything written by Scott Michael is EXCELLENT! He's my favorite aquatic author. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND all of his books!

I had been told by many people that this was the definitive book for people looking to setup a shark or ray tank. I had heard nothing but good things about this book and after reading the book I concur with those opinions. The book gives you a great overview though this should be supplementary to other research you do. There is much more information that people will need to know about properly caring for which ever shark they choose and the best way to learn it is through multiple sources. The only thing remotely negative I have to say about the book is the tank sizes listed tend to be smaller than most expert shark keepers would recommend. Other than that this is a great book and a must buy for those looking to start a shark tank.

I have Stingrays and i use this book as my guide. its great!! Very Helpful