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15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Going Beyond Identification, February 18, 2001
This review is from: Pisces Guide to Watching Fishes: Understanding Coral Reef Fish Behavior (Lonely Planet Diving & Snorkeling Great Barrier Reef) (Paperback)
After I'd dived and snorkeled in the same spot more than a few times, I found myself wondering: what are those fish doing? Why are there such huge differences in what I see at 7AM from what I see at 5PM? Are those fish mating or fighting? While this book only begins to answer those questions--I'd love to see a newer edition with research since the early 90's--it does tell the careful observer what to look for, which adds greatly to the experience of diving and snorkeling. A caveat, however: if you don't already know the major fish families (such as parrotfish, surgeonfish, wrasses, butterflyfish, and so on), you'll find the book somewhat incomprehensible. I'd label this book as Step 2 in becoming a knowledgeable observer, with Step 1 as learning the fish families. (And for that, I'd get a regional guide for wherever you dive--the fish families are the same world-wide, although the species are not.) Note: while I criticize this book for being (slightly) out of date, that doesn't make the information useless--far from it.
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17 of 18 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A must-read for avid scuba divers, August 29, 1997
This review is from: Pisces Guide to Watching Fishes: Understanding Coral Reef Fish Behavior (Lonely Planet Diving & Snorkeling Great Barrier Reef) (Paperback)
With the proliferation of fish identification books (many which are excellent...but there are MANY!), it was refreshing to finally read a reference guide devoted solely to coral reef fish behavior. It adds another dimension to my underwater observations, and further enhances my time in my favorite hang-out place! I am an underwater photographer and give a number of slide shows -- it is nice to be able to go beyond the "roll call" as a certain fish flashes on the screen--after reading this book, I'm in a better position to add interesting facts about the given fish's behavior, mating practices, sensory capacities, etc. THOSE are the things that perk up an audience's ears.
A comprehensive, well-written guide, authoritative without being dry; the authors have a love of the undersea world that is reflected in their writing. I'm frankly surprised that I don't note this text in the bookshelves of more dive shops, liveaboards, etc. Like Paul Humann's Trilogy, it deserves to be a part of the "scuba diver's canon".
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13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A fascinating book about reef fish behavior for the layman., February 28, 1999
This review is from: Pisces Guide to Watching Fishes: Understanding Coral Reef Fish Behavior (Lonely Planet Diving & Snorkeling Great Barrier Reef) (Paperback)
We run charter yachts and take our guests snorkeling on reefs daily. I borrowed this book over 10 years ago, and still remember how incredibly interesting it was, not only for our own understanding of the ecosystem we enjoy so much, but also for the great information it gives us to share with our guests who are eager to learn about the beautiful reefs and the colorful fish they see. As another reviewer said, we can now go beyond just naming the fish we see and provide a broader explanation of their characteristics and behaviour. I'm thrilled to see the book back in print.
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