Focus on Freshwater Aquarium Fish [Hardcover]

Geoff Rogers (Author), Nick Fletcher (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 7, 2004

A totally fresh look at fish.

Focus on Freshwater Aquarium Fish is a valuable reference for fishkeepers at all levels. The book features a wide variety of fish illustrated in a dynamic way and offers practical advice for their care.

The book presents the fish based on their families or fishkeeping groups. These groupings consist of:

• American and African Cichlids: bold inhabitants
• Characins: from tetras to piranhas
• Live-bearers: includes guppies and mollies
• Killifish: short-lived beauties
• Anabantids: air breathers including Bettas
• Danios, Minnows and Rasboras
• Catfish: found in tropic and temperate waters
• Rainbowfish: tropical fish at home in tap water
• Sharks and Loaches: bottomfeeders and efficient algae eaters
• Barbs: active and gregarious
• Oddballs: pufferfish, low-voltage eels, elegant predators and more
• Goldfish: a wide variety of a perennial favorite.

Each section opens with an overview that introduces the range of fish within that group and explores their adaptations. The images and text provide details of the mature size and main characteristics of each fish, its behavior in the aquarium and a brief look at how it breeds.

The bright, colorful photographs display the fish swimming rather than as static side views. This evokes a clearer sense of the personality of each species. Freshwater fishkeepers will be delighted at the beauty and choice available.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Ever since the premiere of the film Finding Nemo, it seems that saltwater fish are getting all the press, but now freshwater fish come into their own. As this book attests, freshwater fish can be every bit as beautiful as the flashiest saltwater-reef fishes. Photographer Rogers has produced stunning images of more than 150 types of commonly kept aquarium fish, with writer Fletcher providing the introduction to each section and commentary on the fishes. Dividing the fish into 13 large groups, the authors start with the African cichlids--fish that may not be as colorful as some of the others but show much personality. Also pictured are the characins, which contain the popular neon tetras; the live-bearers, family of the ubiquitous guppies; and the anabantoids, stars of which are those denizens of many a small bowl, the bettas. The text does not provide details on care but rather concentrates on the personality and appeal of each fish. This beautiful book is supplemental to aquarium how-to books. Nancy Bent
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Review

Features 800 larger-than-life photos and tips on how to keep each type of fish. (Aline McKenzie Dallas Morning News 20040918)

Stunning images of more than 150 types of commonly kept aquarium fish... concentrates on the personality and appeal of each. (Nancy Bent Booklist 20041115)

A valuable reference for fishkeepers at all levels. (Pet Quarterly 200503)

Full-color photographic detail -- living images that capture the essence of a wide range of fish. (Pet Business Magazine 20050116)

Roger's pictures are lush, large and colorful. It is astonishing to see these commonly kept aquarium fish looking so spectacular. (Marcia Dellenbach E-Streams )

Variety, exoticism, and beauty...live fish shot from multiple angles...rendering all of their unique, charming, and sometimes bizarre, attributes fully visible. (Olga Stein Books in Canada )

Gorgeous... 150 fish in incredible detail, floating vividly against glossy white pages... a visual delight on every page. (Lufkin Daily News )

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 208 pages
• Publisher: Firefly Books (August 7, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1552979369
• ISBN-13: 978-1552979365
• Product Dimensions: 10.1 x 8.6 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,621,124 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Buy this only because of the pictures, March 16, 2005

By 

Mona Opland "Aquarist for 3 months" (NORWAY) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Focus on Freshwater Aquarium Fish (Hardcover)

...because there isn't much more to this book, than a lot of nice and colorful pictures. I was kind of disappointed, because there wasn't anything to learn from reading this book. The different species have just a small, kind of humouristic comment on the side. Nothing about water requirements or food.

The photos are great though, crystal sharp and in detail. My five year old son loves to look in this book, because there is so little text but so many large and colorful pictures.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Really nice photos of tropical fish, January 23, 2007

By 

stangsta "fishmaniac" (LA, CA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Focus on Freshwater Aquarium Fish (Hardcover)

As the title clearly specifies, "Focus on Freshwater Aquarium Fish" it's not a book on setting up an aquarium. I don't understand why anyone would expect to find such information in a book that focus' on the fish.

What you do get is pages on pages of GREAT color photos of various common species of freshwater fish. The pics are superimposed on a white background and really stand out. There is some text describing the fish and it's behavior but not too much.

Every aquarist should have a such a book to show new fish enthusiasts or guests in your home.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The focus is on photos, April 9, 2006

By 

Richard Vogt (Geneva Switzerland) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Focus on Freshwater Aquarium Fish (Hardcover)

This book is neither an 'encyclopedia' nor an 'atlas'. The title says it all i.e. it's a focus on aquarium fish. It's not about plants or filters or feeding requirements. If you're looking for a book with lots of info about fish keeping, this one is not for you. I bought it for the pleasure of the absolutely fantastic photography. All of the fish are presented with a white background so there is no distraction from the fish itself. This is a stunning,unique,artistic book. For this it has five stars in my opinion.