Customer Reviews

The Betta Handbook (Barron's Pet Handbooks)

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

This book has tons of information in it if you are writing a detailed report on the background, history and subtypes of bettas. It has a great deal about wild bettas and types of bettas. It wasn't until over half-way through the book that it actually told me information on keeping the betta splenden as a pet, and then it went back to the history lesson again.
The information that he provided about food types for Bettas was the most helpful part in the whole book.

I bought this book for my sister as we've been bitten by the "betta bug" and I decided to take a peek before giving it to her. It says right on the cover it would have information on maintaining the aquarium, food, breeding, and health. However, a majority of the book was just about different species and their natural habitat, breeding, and genetics. There were a few pages dedicated to food but nothing about maintaining or setting up a tank. He says in the introduction that bettas are hardy and will eat and live anywhere, with no requirements for water parameters or heat. Not what I was looking for and I will probably return it and get my sister something else.

This book offers a detailed description of many Betta species, not just our favorite Betta splendins. The book cites were the many Betta species were first identified in Southeast Asia including the habitat. This book makes you apreciate the many Betta fish species and how adaptive they are. There is a significant amount in this book regarding Betta splendins color genetics and gidance on breeding. I gave this book a four rating because relative to other hard-copy and e-books there is less information on the care of the Betta fish. Also, the book is somewhat outdate being published in 2004. However, for those wanting to learn about the orgin of the Betta fish and the many varities fo Bettas, this is the book for you.

I bought this book hoping to learn the basics of how to keep my bettas healthy and happy. I learned little of what I need to actually know. Unfortunately, there's very little relevant information about required water parameters, daily feeding, and temperament of bettas. The first twenty pages or so goes on and on about genetics and breeding, as if that's relevant to most people who keep the fish as a pet. The most informative part was about what to feed my fish, but unless you want to harvest mosquito larvae or cultivate your own brine shrimp, let me give you a tip: feed your bettas bloodworms and brine shrimp you get from the pet store, and skip this book.

I keep and breed wild bettas and to me this book is a "bible" and I recommend it to all I know that keeps bettas either fancy or wild species. The book covers all the main issues of keeping bettas , tanks, feeding, watervalues, breeding, ilnesses and parasites. One thing : Goldsteins handbook soon needs an update or revision as there are many new species and much new information on wild bettas.

This book is really good, we have a male & female Betta (we were told so anyway) they don't fight so I guess they are opposites , fun to read & informed us of a lot about the betta and we will be better informed as to what to expect as they hopefully re-produce & how to properly care for them

This is one of the best betta books you can find out there. I always loved bettas, To me they are one of the most beautyful fishes out there. I got this book to learn more about them because i was so interested in them. This book taught me alot about them that i didnt know. So if your into these little guys defenatly get this book.

If you can only get 1 book about Bettas this should be it. Dr. Goldstein is an expert and although I do disagree with some of his thoughts on the need to keep Betta variety names to a strict scientific form, I realise his intentions are good as well as valid. His overview of the Betta world is most complete and the many less known "wild" betta species receive excellent coverage in his effort. I do wish it had more photos of the more recent varieties that have been developed such as the Crowntail and Halfmoon but the descriptions are very good and a web directory guides readers to sites which will fill in the gaps. Any of Dr. Goldsteins books are an excellent addition to the Betta or other tropical fish fanciers library. I've been keeping Bettas for more than 40 years now and Dr. Goldstein's books were there every step of the way. This book will most definitely enhance your pleasure in keeping these fascinating little fish!

This book reviews classifications and history information regarding bettas.

As a 1st time betta owner, I really needed a book that detailed daily, weekly, and monthly maintenance schedules and tips for overall betta care. I did not get that information from this book.

This book has some information on illnesses, but thats it.