Reef Fish Identification: Florida, Caribbean, Bahamas [Vinyl Bound]

Paul Humann (Author), Ned DeLoach (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 2002

The standard fish ID reference for underwater naturalists and marine scientists since 1989 just got better! This enlarged 3rd edition has grown by 20 percent including the addition of over 100 exciting new fish species. The scientifically updated text now boasts 825 classic marine life photographs of 600 common and rare reef fish species. The easy to use, quick-reference format designed for divers makes it a snap to identify the myriad fishes that inhabit the waters of Florida, the Caribbean, Bahamas and now Brazil! It features a new durable, cloth-stitched flexi-binding that folds flat for easy use and water-repellent plastic covers.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Attractive, functional guide to reef fishes for divers, snorkelers and professional biologists -- American Fisheries Society Bulletin, Volume 20, No. 10

If you are a diver, fish hobbyist or reef enthusiast, the second edition of REEF FISH ID belongs on your bookshelf -- Dive Training Magazine, July 1995

The most complete photographic guide to warm water Atlantic and Caribbean species ever published -- Rodale's Scuba Diving, December 1994

You will want to have this book with you if you plan any serious fishwatching or teaching in the geographical area of coverage. It is in a class by itself. -- American Society of Ichthyologists, Aug. 8, 1995 --This text refers to the Plastic Comb edition.

From the Publisher

This new edition closes the gap in species accounts. We found a number of species that seemed to continually confuse divers because of their variable colors and markings. For those species we added more pictures to show the variations.

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Product Details

• Vinyl Bound: 512 pages
• Publisher: New World Publications; 3rd edition (February 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1878348302
• ISBN-13: 978-1878348302
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.3 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (41 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #68,486 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #17 in Books > Sports & Outdoors > Outdoor Recreation > Scuba

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

34 of 34 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Best Available, April 21, 2002

By 

Harold McFarland (Florida) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Reef Fish Identification: Florida, Caribbean, Bahamas (Vinyl Bound)

This is the authoritative reference for reef fish throughout the Florida, Caribbean and Bahamas area. The most complete book on reef fish that I have seen, it is easy to use and beautifully illustrated. Each fish has it's own full color picture along with a line drawing that points out the defining characteristics of that particular species. With a plastic cover and the pages treated to resist water it can be taken to the beach or onto the boat without much concern about the water damaging the book.

Each entry has complete information on the fish from size, depth, range and habitat to the level of concern that a diver should have for their safety around the fish. Whether you snorkel, scuba dive or engage in other activities around a reef, this is the best book to have to identify the fish. This book can also be purchased as part of a three part set that also includes the Reef Coral Identification and Reef Creature Identification texts, each of which is equally as excellent as the Reef Fish Identification book.

23 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Amazingly Comprehensive, February 18, 2002

By 

Stephan Bullard "sgbullard" (Hartford, CT USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Reef Fish Identification: Florida, Caribbean, Bahamas (Vinyl Bound)

If you are interested in identifying Caribbean reef fish, this is the best guide available. I am a professional marine biologist and have extensive diving experience on reefs in the Florida Keys and the Bahamas. I can honestly say that after 300+ underwater hours in these locations, I have never come across a bony fish that was not included in the guide. This fact was humorously brought home to me when I was in graduate school. My graduate advisor (a very experienced marine biologist with 20+ years of tropical diving experience) once thought that he had discovered a new species of fish. He was very excited and told all of us students to watch his fish and make sure "nothing happened" it. Needless to say, he was somewhat embarrassed when a 2 min investigation into the guide revealed that the fish was simply a wrasse blenny.

The guide is well organized, informative, and easy to understand. Although some scientific terms are included, the text is generally designed for non-specialists. That said, however, the information is so well presented and comprehensive that every specialist I know makes extensive use of this guide. Additionally, the illustrations are remarkable. Each species is represented by one or several beautiful color photographs as well as a simplified line drawing with the important identification features indicated. Overall, I can recommend this guide to anyone interested in Caribbean Fishes and/or Marine Biology. The guide would make a particularly nice gift for someone with a marine interest. Also see the companion volume "Reef Fish Behavior: Florida, Caribbean, Bahamas;" an equally excellent book, that adds the ecological dimension to reef fish identification.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excelling book for identifying all types of tropical fish, July 18, 2003

By 

Beth Cholette "doctor_beth" (Upstate NY USA) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Reef Fish Identification: Florida, Caribbean, Bahamas (Vinyl Bound)

After we came back from our honeymoon, I wanted to buy my husband a book to help identify the various fish we encountered on our trip, and this book turned out to be perfect. First of all, the fish are broken down into various classifications, and each category is clearly labelled. There are wonderfully clear, glossy pictures of each individual fish combined with a detailed description which includes information such as size, colors, appearance of immature, habitat, and reaction to divers. An ideal book for serious research or just for fun.