Reef Life: Natural History and Behaviors of Marine Fishes and Invertebrates [Paperback]

Denise Nielsen Tackett (Author, Photographer), Larry Tackett (Photographer)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 2002

From the fantastic (tiny fish that live within the anal cavity of sea cucumbers) to the astonishingly beautiful (rare corals and other invertebrates in a kaleidoscope of colors), the animals of the coral reef almost never fail to elicit a "Wow!" from those fortunate enough to see them alive and at close range. Based on more than a decade of painstaking, close-up observations and brilliant underwater photography, Reef Life offers an unforgettably illustrated, clearly explained introduction to the biology and organisms of the coral reef. Technical advisors to this project include several leading marine biologists, ichthyologists, zoologists, and reef aquarists.You'll never look at a reef in the same way again. Includes:Fantastic Life Forms: rare and unusual reef animals captured in their natural hauntsFace-to-Face Encounters: intimate observations from over a decade of underwater researchBiology In Action: fundamental lessons in reproduction and other marine life processes.Profiles in Biodiversity: the fishes, invertebrates, and other animals of the coral realm.

Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Microcosm. (April 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1890087564
• ISBN-13: 978-1890087562
• Product Dimensions: 10.7 x 8.2 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,173,227 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #43 in Books > Science & Math > Nature & Ecology > Oceans & Seas > Coral Reefs

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

26 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars much more than pretty pictures, April 22, 2002

By 

Timothy Ecott "timecott" (UK) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Reef Life: Natural History and Behaviors of Marine Fishes and Invertebrates (Paperback)

The Tacketts have achieved something remarkable with this book. Not only is the quality of the photographs consistently high, but the detailed information within the text is logical and accessible to any diver whether they be experts in marine biology or simply curious fish watchers.
This American husband and wife team seem to have lived many divers dream existence. Travelling the Indo Pacific for 13 years, they would camp on a beach with their own compressor and make three dives a day collecting sponge specimens for medical research.
The scientific information is clear and broken down into digestible chunks, enlivened by well annotated pictures - everything from mantis shrimps eating coral shrimps, to frogfish camouflaged against cup corals. Predation, reproduction, camouflage, feeding and mimicry are all wonderfully explained. And, in keeping with the mood of the times there is a final section on reefs in danger - overfishing, cyanide, pollution etc, complete with appropriate photos including a poignant shot of an octopus trying to cover itself with a piece of broken plastic audio-cassette.
A substantial glossary at the end of the book covers everything from allelopathy to zooxanthellae.
The strength and value of this book is that it is not just a collection of good underwater images, I suspect it will become an invaluable primer for any diver who wants to look at reefs in an intelligent way.

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Not just another coffee table book -, April 17, 2002

By 

Ronald H. Silver (Atlantic Beach, Florida USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Reef Life: Natural History & Behaviors of Marine Fishes & Invertebrates (Hardcover)

The Tackett's new book is a must read for divers, aquarists, and anyone who enjoys the fish and critters of the undersea world of coral reef environs. My wife and I belong to a guild of scuba divers known as "critter hunters." We love to dive and find some of nature's most crytpic creatures which inhabit the coral reefs and nearby, sometimes mucky, environs. Larry and Denise's new book is not only a fabulous collection of great underwater photographs but also contains a vast amount of the latest, most useful information regarding the habits and habitats of some of nature's most interesting creatures. It is readily apparent that the Tacketts have spent considerable time underwater in some of the most exotic locales of our water planet. They also have the unique ability to share their experiences with the reader. There are a lot of books currently available dealing with various underwater topics but this is easily one of the most informative and has already become a treasured addition to our library.

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Unique Guide to the Underwater World, April 20, 2002

By 

Kenneth D. Knezick (Houston, TX United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Reef Life: Natural History & Behaviors of Marine Fishes & Invertebrates (Hardcover)

An avid scuba diver and underwater photographer myself, I own and enjoy many "coffee-table-style" underwater books, as well as a fair collection of field guides to coral reefs and marine life. What I appreciate most about the Tackett's new book is the way it has combined beautiful underwater photography with valuable commentary, annotations, and even arrows defining particular points of interest. "Reef Life" represents a wonderful melding of the science and the esthetics of the marine environment. Equally appealing to adults and children, it has provided me with additional knowledge and appreciation. I now look forward to sharing this appealing new book with my young nephews.