Customer Reviews

Fancy Goldfish

5 star:		(27)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is THE book to own if you're interested in fancy goldfish. The section by Erik Johnson really gives a modern update to goldfish husbandry i.e disease treatment et al. Richard Hess and Erik Johnson have put together a fantastic book containing so much info assembled from a wide variety of sources that it makes a great reference book- both to the novice and the pro. The section on ranchus also is top notch. This great book isnt just a picture book; it's packed full of valuable information that anyone can use!

This is one of the most informative books on fancy goldfish. It is extremley in depth on disease and treatment. One thing I love is that the author doesn't write in a patronizing tone, but doesn't make it overly complicated either. I don't know why other reviewers are complaining so much about "no index". This book is not hard to use, and has a whole chapter on symptoms.
This book has made a tremendous help in raising my fish and is a priceless guide on disease and treatment. If you raise goldfish, you should absolutley get this book.

This book is definitely worth the money. The photos are gorgeous, it makes a marvelous coffee table book. The information is very exhaustive, including a lot of detailed information on breeding, illness, treatment. This is a text for the serious goldfish breeder. My only quibble, and it is significant, is that there is no index. When my red cap oranda was sick last week, I had to go to a much less expensive book because it had a handy symptom chart, and an index in the back.

This book is certainly for the serious collector. Many of the fish are from the best in the world, and rarely does one have the chance to even glimpse such fish in everyday life. They can probably only be seen in fish shows, and never in a pet store.

The photos are excellent and the book is very modern. The chapter on frequently asked questions is very useful and answers lots of questions for beginners and advanced fishkeepers alike.
There is a very thorough disease section.

The book is truly inspiring, yet it may lead you to feel a bit intimidated by the work needed to keep fish of such high calibre.

Good: Fascinating and detailed information from true experts and some gorgeous photos. Especially rich in disease and culture information.

Not As Good: As mentioned in other reviews - no index drives me nuts! Plus the organization is just weird (on pg 99, 17 pages after discussing how to do surgery to remove excessive headgrowth on an Oranda, they tell you how to set up a new fishtank). Because there are a number of contributors, there is often repitition and also contradition - even within the same author. Seven lines after reading "Avoid plastic and ceramic ornaments - even those sold at pet stores to be placed in aquariums may have toxic paints, bonding agents or other chemicals that will harm your fish." we are told "add some of the beautiful, lifelike, artificial plans that are now available". Because every artificial plant I've seen has at least some platic or bonding agent in it - this advice feels contradictory to me. Not all of the advice in the book is advice I will follow, but I will admit I learned a lot as well.

Despite the crazy organization, lack of depth in a few topics that I would think would be covered, moments of repetition and contradition, and lack of index --- I found this to be a fascinating mosaic of expert and in-depth information and would recommend the book to anyone truly interested in goldfish. A curious beginner will find what they need plus lots to grow on if they are willing to hunt around. I would recommend also getting onto a few of the online goldfish-specific forums to ask questions of other hobbyists if you are just starting out.

This is the book the goldfish hobby has been waiting for! Clear and accurate information on keeping fancy goldfish. Excellent information on disease and treatment of goldfish ailments. Glossary of varieties of goldfish and terms commonly used in the goldfish hobby, including Japanese terms. PLUS!! the best darn goldfish picture book ever! -This is the premier "go to" book for goldfish keepers.

This is the best book ever! I am a fancy goldfish collector, and unlike other books it has been written by someone who actually knows what he is talking about.A lot of information packed into the book, and still easy to understand and to follow. Dr. Johnson is one of the great fish specialist on diagnostics and illnesses our time. His surgeries on fish's swimbladder is extraordinary!I was looking through this book in a friend's house, and I just had to order it for myself. The pictures are phanomenal! This is goldfish through and through. I haven't found any book until now that really goes deep into all parts of fishkeeping and answers all questions thoroughly. Thanks Dr. Johnson, Rick Hess and the two chinese breeders for their input ( is there another Chinagold coming soon?) Andrea

This is a wonderful book. It is a comprehensive guide on keeping goldfish. If i could only have 1 book on the topic this would be the one. It even has chapters on using a microscope to diagnose ailments, how to perform surgeries, and the most up to date information on keeping the fish healthy. As importers/breeders and fish doctors/ the authors have direct knowledge of their subject. The book occasionally contradicts some long held views on goldfish keeping.. (for example the optimum temperature for keeping goldfish) and seems to be correct. The section on ailments and treatments is extensive. Any goldfish keeper would find this beautifully illustrated book indispensible. - Liz S.

I couldn't keep Goldfish without this book! It's incredible - the general, species and medical information contained within is absolutely comprehensive. The photos are gorgeous, and cover every type of Goldfish you could dream of. The history section is interesting as well. Breeding information, basic tank care... you can't ask for more!

If you're going to buy one book on fish keeping this year, make it this one!

This is an excellent book on Fancy Goldfish. A step above the usual smaller paperback texts available. However, I feel even a beginner can benefit from reading it. Plain talk, with valuable advice peppered throughout.
And, gorgeous full-color photos of specimens from common to extremely unique & rare breeds. Don't let the lack of an index keep you away from this book. After reading it, you'll quickly learn how to find topics by the front "Contents" pages.
Nicely bound, large size, using quality paper.