The Complete Illustrated Breeder's Guide to Marine Aquarium Fishes [Hardcover]

Matthew L. Wittenrich (Author, Photographer), Joshua Highter (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 2007

Once considered an impossible dream, the breeding of marine fish species by home aquarium hobbyists is becoming an enticing reality. As pressures mount to develop sustainable sources of aquacultured livestock for the aquarium hobby, reproduction mysteries of captive reef fishes are fast unraveling.

The All-New & Complete Breeder's Guide to Marine Aquarium Fishes is the first detailed guide to amateur marine fish breeding, and reveals the techniques and for successfully spawning and rearing more than 90 species marine fishes. This hands-on resource provides comprehensive coverage of the following species:
* jawfish
* grammas
* marine bettas
* assessors
* gobies
* blennies
* cardinals
* dottybacks
* damsels
* chromis
* clownfishes
* angelfishes

It also includes all the essential breeding steps for each family:
* securing breeding stock
* pair formation
* breeder conditioning
* spawning
* larval feeding
* juvenile husbandry and growth

Beautiful color photographs and diagrams help illustrate the species, equipment, and techniques described in the text.

An essential for both the amateur and aspiring small-scale commercial breeder, The All-New & Complete Breeder's Guide to Marine Aquarium Fishes is expected to open the door to many thousands of new home breeders--a major step in the evolution of the marine aquarium hobby.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

"A breakthrough book: everything you need to know to breed marine fishes successfully at home."

A landmark in the history of marine aquarium keeping, this long-awaited book opens the door to a new era in which home aquarists can succeed in spawning and raising beautiful coral reef fishes--clownfishes, dottybacks, cardinals, seahorses and more.

The Complete Illustrated Breeder's Guide to Marine Aquarium Fishes includes:
* Step-by-Step Procedures for Beginners
* How to Establish Broodstock Pairs
* Breeding Room Set-up
* How to Trigger Spawning
* Feeding & Rearing Larvae
* Detailed Family & Species Guides

With a foreword by marine breeding pioneer Martin A. Moe, Jr.

About the Author

Matthew L. Wittenrich is a marine biologist who has been deeply involved with the aquarium world since age 15. He has studied coral reef fishes throughout the world, working as a researcher, consultant, and hobbyist. He has a bachelor's degree in Marine Biology from Long Island University, Southampton College, and is currently pursuing his doctorate at the Florida Institute of Technology in Melbourne, Florida, with research projects centered in the Philippines.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 304 pages
• Publisher: TFH Publications (March 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1890087718
• ISBN-13: 978-1890087715
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 8.8 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #51,624 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #14 in Books > Crafts, Hobbies & Home > Animal Care & Pets > Fish & Aquariums

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A must for your Aquarium Library, August 27, 2007

By 

A. Didoha (Melbourne,FL) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Complete Illustrated Breeder's Guide to Marine Aquarium Fishes (Hardcover)

Whether you're a hobbyist, enthusiast, or entrepreneur of saltwater fish this book is necessary collection for your library. This book covers everything from setting up tanks properly, to choosing and spawning your broodstock and most importantly larval care. The secret steps of larval care and diet are described for 90+ species and accompanied with easy to follow fabulous photos. After reading through the steps in the book I was able to successfully, spawn and rear Neon Dottybacks to metamorphisis. A definite must!

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Marine Fish Breeder's BIBLE, February 17, 2008

By 

Matt Pedersen (Chicago, IL) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Complete Illustrated Breeder's Guide to Marine Aquarium Fishes (Hardcover)

Let me put it short and sweet - if you are considering the cutting edge of the aquarium hobby, you're talking Marine Fish Breeding, and this book will literally bring you up to speed on the last 40 years of marine ornamental fish breeding right up to 2007. Matthew Wittenrich continues to be on the cutting edge, having raised more than one new species since the publication of this all-encompassing review of hobbyist-level marine fish propagation. This book, covering over 50 successfully reared marine fish species, is enough to give the average hobbyist decades of "projects" to reattempt, as well as providing current insight into how future breakthroughs and acheivements might be reached. Easily worth 4-5 times the price you'll pay. Simply a book that will floor you.

12 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars In-depth, solid information on breeding marine fish species., June 20, 2007

By 

M. E. Sweeney "Senior Editor, www.microcosmaq... (NJ) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Complete Illustrated Breeder's Guide to Marine Aquarium Fishes (Hardcover)

Author Matt Wittenrich is gifted with the patience and rational powers of observation that enable him to capture the important details the need to be reproduced in order for the various species of marine fishes to reproduce themselves. Breeding marine fishes is obviously the author's life's work, and it is truly to his credit that he shares step-by-step instructions from his immense store of knowledge about these fishes that for so long had been considered impossible to breed in the home. Fantastic photography of larvae, breeding sequences, sexual dimorphism, equipment, and more.