Dr. Burgess's Atlas of Marine Aquarium Fishes (Guide to Owning A...) [Hardcover]

Warren E. Burgess (Author), Herbert R. Axelrod (Author), Raymond E. Hunziker (Author)

Book Description

Series: Guide to Owning A... | Publication Date: February 2000

This 3rd edition, a truly beautiful and immensely colorful book, satisfies the long-existing need for a comprehensive identification guide to marine fishes. This book shows in full color not only the popular aquarium fishes but also the oddballs and weirdos, the large seaquarium-type fishes, both warmwater and coldwater fishes, as well as both foreign and domestic fishes. In short, this book has it all and has it in a format that will provide maximum utility to its reader. The fishes are grouped family by family in phylogenetic order--sharks and rays first, puffers and boxfishes last.The photos were taken predominantly by world-class fish photographers. Most photos are eight-to-the-page, but some of the most beautiful marine fishes are represented in full-page, full-color splendor.Not only does this book supply photos provided with up-to-date scientific names, but almost all of the captions indicate the family, range, size, and optimum aquarium conditions as well. Also included in this book are family-by-family write ups on the aquarium care of these fishes.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 736 pages
• Publisher: TFH Publications; 3 edition (February 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0793805759
• ISBN-13: 978-0793805754
• Product Dimensions: 11.2 x 8.7 x 1.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #361,058 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

26 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good book for a fish-only marine aquarium., February 12, 2001

By 

Jason Carlile (Eastern Shore, MD) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Dr. Burgess's Atlas of Marine Aquarium Fishes (Guide to Owning A...) (Hardcover)

This is a good book to have when selecting marine fish for your aquarium. It has special symbols at the bottom of each photo (1900 in all) that tell you if the fish is hostile, sociable, what sort of diet it requires, lighting, etc. It also has a complete section in the back on aquarium maintenence as well as different diseases and parasites with accompanying photos. The only problem I have with this book is that it completely ignored marine invertabrates. I always keep shrimp and crabs in my aquarium to clean up the bottom, and it would be helpful if they were mentioned in the book so I would know which fish they are compatable with as well as diet and aquarium behavior. Crustaceans, anenomies, nudibranches, etc. are the most interesting and beneficial additions to a marine aquarium, and if the good Dr. would have dedicated a section to them it would have been a five star book.

28 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Most comprehensive fish review, October 6, 1999

By 

Angel Lee "Liocorno Amethyst Moonstone" (Cleveland, OH United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Dr Burgess's Atlas of Marine Aquarium Fishes (Hardcover)

This is a must-have book for anyone seeking to setup & maintain a salt-water marine aquarium. There are full-color photos and information on over 1900 marine fish, invertebrates & plants.

The book starts out with a basic description of the families of marine fish accompanied by b/w illustrations. Then the fish are arranged by family & displayed three per page in color. Both common & scientific names are given.

Symbols below each fish give information on food, light, temperament, tank setup, swimming habits, size & family number. There are also great sections on aquarium setup, fish care, diseases & their prevention.

Conveniently there are 3 indices. One is for aquarium setup. The others list marine life by either scientific or common name. Whether you are an experienced marine aquarist or have yet to set one up this is the book for you.

18 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Major Help for Newcomers, October 28, 2002

By 

Michael B. Wilson (Mequon, WI USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Dr. Burgess's Atlas of Marine Aquarium Fishes (Guide to Owning A...) (Hardcover)

This book was probably designed for intermediate to advanced marine hobbyists. However, I bought it just getting into the hobby and it was invaluable for one reason. It shows every known fish, and as another reviewer says, talks about sociability, smallest tank size (big one), and diet. What was most useful for me was to help me design my ultimate tank as far as colors, types, compatability, etc without ever spending a dime. Well worth the money just for the comprehensiveness.