Customer Reviews

Tropical Freshwater Aquarium Fish from A to Z (Compass Guides)

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

 

 

I'm funny this way, but when I pick up one of these reference manuals to freshwater aquaria the first thing I do is check their write up on one or two fish that I commonly either don't see in print, or see with a badly mangled classification. The industry in general is prone to 'mickey mouse' publications containing only beginner information, dangerously incomplete information or just plain inaccurate information. They have pretty pictures, and never cover any variety of fish outside of what you would ever likely see in PetSmart.

This one was a pleasant surprise, containing not just good pictures, but species I had not seen in print before and accurate classifications of some that I frequently see incorrect. It is extremely common for fish to be imported under incorrect names, or named incorrectly in the fish store. It's nice to have a reference with pictures and profiles that helps you try to sort out if that adorable little guy in the store will turn into a 24" monster, shred your other fish, and destroy your plants because someone put the wrong label on the tank. And they do.

The book's main fault was that it was not long enough, although it contained many profiles. However it is a nice size for taking with you while browsing the local fish store and for the price it's a good choice.

My rating is 4 - because of the potential of this little book. I hope Barron's publishes new editions to keep the reference current adding and updating the species it lists.

One thoughtful detail - my copy was paperback, but with a clear plastic cover which protects it from the perpetually wet hands of an avid aquarium hobbyist.

As someone new to the hobby, this book helped me tremendously in selecting not only what fish I could and should put in my new fish tank, but helpful tips as to how I should care for them (Ph levels, water temps, compatible types, etc.). I reviewed this book and read "The Essential Freshwater Aquarium" guide; both books help ensure that my first try as an aquarist results in a healthy environment for my fish. I was so impressed by the A to Z Guide that I bought one for a friend who has kept fish for over a year but was mixing fish indiscriminately without regard to the size of her tank or the type of fish already in the tank. We both now have a high enthusiasm for our aquariums and consult the guide before any new fish purchase. Highly recommended for new and experienced aquarists.

Lots of species, brief but thorough overviews, good photos, plastic slip-cover is a nice touch. Very handy book. Recommended!

OK, OK, maybe I am eating a bit of crow here! I'll let the review I first wrote stand (see below), but I have felt compelled to edit it with this addition. I have had the book for several weeks now, and when I saw that I was using it daily, and more than any other book I have on tropicals, I had to come back here and set the record straighter.

Yes the book is still irritating in its choice of index organization. But on the positive side, it has many more species in it than I ever thought I'd be interested in. As I get further into the hobby and become more curious and more exposed to new species of fish, I find that this book usually has them in it. It is actually a pretty good quick reference guide for taking to the aquarium store and for doing some arm-chair study. Not in depth study, as the blurbs are just that, blurbs. But it is quite useful and deserves more than I gave it previously.

(First review) After reading all of the previous reviews, I got the impression that this was a book I needed. Somehow, somewhere all the way I got the wrong impression. I have had the book less than a day and already I am irritated with it. For one thing, it is organized by English common names. And not even "pencilfish, brown"! No! "Brown Pencilfish"!! It makes no sense. I don't know alot of these fish by their common name. Pencilfish maybe, but not BROWN pencilfish! Sheesh. If I wanted to find all the pencilfish I'd need to roam thru the index. This way of indexing also separates species of the same genus from each other. You have the various rasboras all over the place! It is a very good book for looking up various species that might not be in the shorter books, but the manner in which the editor chose to set it up is just plain awkward.

This book is small in size and light in weight. I think this book is good for you to carry outward, especially for you to shop around the aquarium shops. But don't think that small in size or light in weight is "EQUAL" to "thin content", at least I don't think so. This book have RICH CONTENTS and give me a fast guide for most of freshwater fishes, which may be useful for you to determine which fishes you can bought to your home. Price is also acceptable. Overall I recommened this book for leisure purpose.

Exactly what I was looking for. A book with lots of photos of fish and brief descriptions and basic info on each. Easy to use, colorful, nice protective cover. High quality.

This book has may types of fish profiles, including many popular aquarium fish, and great pictures. It has the nifty plastic jacket, which anyone with a fish tank will appreciate. It is a small enough book to bring with you to the fish store, and informative enough to make you glad you brought it.

This is a superb freshwater aquarium book to have; every freshwater aquarium keeper owes it to himself or herself to get this one. It's packed with a lot of pertinent information on water temperature ranges, water types, care, habits, compatibility, etc. There are a lot of superb photographs that are a joy to explore. Walt Whitman once stated that he liked the feel of a good compact book that one could really get close to; well this is the one for freshwater aquarium buffs. Plenty of good reading with excellent photos! The plastic book cover is a nice touch to this fine paperback!

This book is very descriptive on the many kinds of aquarium fish. It is greatly illustrated and a book I would recommend for anyone who is ready to make an aquarium their hobby.

An OK book that is very brief in its details of fish species and occasionally slightly inaccurate with regards compatibilities. Very nice pictures that get it an additional star from me just because they make species identification a lot easier than some of other books. It has a nice plastic cover for those times when you're reading and dripping at the same time and is handily pocket sized for taking to the shops with you.