DK Handbooks: Aquarium Fish [Paperback]

Dick Mills (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 1, 2000 | Series: DK Eyewitness Handbooks

Over 500 photos of tropical freshwater, coldwater freshwater, tropical marine and tropical freshwater fishes.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

This illustrated, compact guide provides general information on the choice and care of fish, natural habitats, required aquarium conditions, and specific details on freshwater and marine tropical and coldwater fishes. Data for each species include family, common name, maximum adult size, physical characteristics of species, habitat, range, geographical distribution, peculiarities of species, alternative names, and a small, attractive photograph showing the male of the species. Key identification features are labeled; diet requirements, temperament, and tank levels where a particular fish dwells are described. Though this handbook is modestly priced in comparison with Nick Dakin's Macmillan Book of the Marine Aquarium ( LJ 8/93), the physically larger Macmillan volume gives more information on each species and fuller detail on the required aquarium conditions and suitable accompanying fish. Still, this book would be useful as a circulating volume for general collections where needed. --Judith B. Barnett, Pell Marine Science Lib., Univ. of Rhode Island, Kingston
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Here's a handy guide that does what Dorling Kindersley's Eyewitness Handbooks do best: use pictures to give readers the information they want and need. In glorious full color, 500 marine and freshwater fish are pictured clearly and large enough to make this an identification manual that fish keepers won't want to be without. The fish are grouped into four general categories (tropical freshwater, cold-water freshwater, tropical marine, cold-water marine), then by family and species. Accompanying each clearly labeled photograph are brief remarks about habitat, behavior, and coloration; a small distribution map; and horizontal bar graphs supplying at-a-glance information on diet, temperament, and size. Mills doesn't provide enough for those setting up a tank for the first time, but the tips with which he leads off his text will start novices in the right direction. Stephanie Zvirin

Product Details

• Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: DK ADULT (March 1, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1564582930
• ISBN-13: 978-1564582935
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.6 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (24 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #476,318 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Perfect for beginners, April 14, 2000

By 

usrbingeek.com "usrbingeek" (Milton, Vermont USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: DK Handbooks: Aquarium Fish (Paperback)

This reference book provides pictures and the basic information on the most commonly available aquarium fish. It also briefly covers and discusses tank setup and maintenance disease, properly choosing fish, fish biology, and other information that would be useful to beginners. The book is arranged by scientific groupings and species. The common names are given with each fishes photo along with a written description of the species, its natural habitat, diet, tank swimming level, temperament, its full grown size, and more.

I have found that there are a couple species' temperament and size have been wrong but for the most part the rest of the information for each species is accurate.

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful photos, not enough info, November 4, 2002

By 

rose jones (Tallahassee, FL United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: DK Handbooks: Aquarium Fish (Paperback)

This is a handy little guidebook that features very high-quality photographs (it's another DK book) of just about every aquarium fish you are likely to encounter. It is useful primarily for those looking to distinguish their Five-Banded Barbs from their Checker Barbs or their Madagascar Rainbowfish from their Siamese Tigerfish - i.e. it is a book for fish nerds. I do recommend this book for the enthusiast and the beginner alike, however the beginner should not rely on this book alone as it does not provide nearly enough information on setting up the aquarium, choosing compatible fishes, and trouble-shooting. My main criticism is that while the design and layout of the book, and the large, clear color photos of the fish, makes it a pleasure to read, it provides only very basic information about each fish. For some unknown reason, the critically important subject of water chemistry and temperature is practically ignored. I also find it disturbing that the author does not really indicate which fishes are good for the beginner, and which are more fragile, and suitable only for more advanced aquarists. This is an unfortunate exclusion given the fact that so many fish languish and die in tanks owned by inexperienced people who lack the knowledge to properly choose and care for them. If you're looking for information you can really use, there is not much point in learning to distinguish between 500 different varieties of fishes, but not knowing which of those fishes you would be most likely to be able to keep successfully (taking into account such factors as your level of skill/experience, local water chemistry, the size of the tank etc.). Still, it's worth a look.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Sensational little book, beautifully done, June 15, 2004

By 

Gordon M. Wagner (Suburbia) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Aquarium Fish (101 Essential Tips) (Paperback)

Really a little gem of a book. It's small enough to fit comfortably in your hands and it's just stuffed with information and tasty graphics. The Art Director must have been giggling with delight, the book is really a showpiece. The colorful photos jump off the page and the text is handled in the usual effortless DK manner. Even if you have zero interest in fish, this book is a joy to page through. Beautifully put together.