Customer Reviews

The Cichlid Aquarium

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Let me start by saying that this is not an ideal beginner cichlid book (my recommendation for that would probably the "Fishkeeper's Guide to Cichlids"). But for a cichlid keeper with some experience who wants to get more in depth information (such as breeding techniques for difficult species, discussions on cichlid evolution, specialized feeding habits, information about cichild groups you'll rarely see in stores), Loiselle can't be beat.

A problem with this book is that the index is missing. This is apparently due to a publisher error, since the index does exist. I was able to get a copy of the index (at no charge) by contacting Tetra Press.

Dr. Loiselle has written a very clear and informative text on the care and behaivior of Cichlids, from the basic considerations of tank size and filtration to compatibility issues between cichlid and non-cichlid species. The text does not focus on any single area of the world, so that keepers of South American cichlids (such as H.Severum or C. Managuense) and keepers of African cichlids such as the popular "Brichardi" (N. Elongatus) will find relevant passages. In addition to lots of information, this text contains a large number of very nice full color pictures. A valuable addition to any cichlid keepers bookshelf.

This book does a great job of helping the beginner set up and maintain their first cichlid aquarium and is an excellent resource for learning about cichlid behaviors. The main drawback is with the lack of good index. It is nearly impossible to look-up any specific fish because they are not listed in the back of the book. Nice to have in your Cichlid library but you'll need more books to look up specific fish and their specific requiriements.

This book is definetely not for the beginner cichlid keeper. Although it provides some basic information on tank setup etc, it is geared toward the advanced aquarist.

As is typical from Loiselle the information is concise and in depth.

Only the lack of a decent index mars this otherwise excellent book.

This is the best book for those who wish to understand and manage the behaviour of cichlids in aquaria. Although the editing and typography are not very good, the information is not really available anywhere else.

An index can be ordered (free) from the publisher.

Excellent book. Great photos. No index? Huh? C'mon PaulV. and Dr. Loiselle. Did you guys both make the Homer Simpson "DOAH" sound after you published this and realized you forgot an index. Very frustrating. I still grab this book from time to time for reference and habitually look to the INDEX, but alas, there is none. Can you say REVISED EDITION?

This is a wonderfully done book, lavishly illustrated, concisely worded, and about as close to a comprehensive treatment as one has a right to expect in a single-volume, non-technical treatment. So who was the bright guy who forgot to do the index? What in the world was the editor thinking to mar such a great volume with something that even the smallest, cheapest, most basic hobby guide includes as a matter of course? By all means, buy the book, but be prepared to scan each and every one of the 517 photographs to find the fish you are looking for.

This is an excellent book on any cichlid species you might be considering. Especially useful are the detailed chapters on the concerns of setting up and maintaining a cichlid aquarium. Loiselle also does an excellent job of covering the various cichlid groups and their individual idiosyncracies. The only fault is the lack of an index which would give the reader quick access to topics or species discussed. Other than that, I'd rate this as an excellent text. Wonderful color photographs!

This book has all the basics one would need to break into the world of cichlid keeping. It covers the basic needs of most types of cichlids, as well as their biology, natural habitats, social structures, taxonomy and husbandry. This book also contains hundreds of beautiful color pictures. A great read for those interested in the subject.

Super pictures and excellent scientific information on cichlids & environment. However -- much too technical for what I needed. In my opinion, not reader friendly. Extremely difficult to work through which didn't make for enjoyable reading or comprehension. I'm sure its an excellent reference book, but I'll need to buy something else. Analogy would be asking "what time is it" and getting explanation on how the clock was made with detail on parts & their lineage described in English and Latin terms.