Tropical Marine Fish Survival Manual, The (Paperback)

by Nick Dakin (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
Aquarium enthusiasts encounter a whole new world when they collect saltwater varieties of fish. They also face different challenges from the ones they met with their freshwater tanks. Vivid full-color photos on every page of this manual show dozens among the different saltwater fish and sea creatures available to enthusiasts. A detailed text with tables and sidebars explains how to maintain a saltwater tank, which fish are compatible, and how to keep all of them healthy.

Product Details

• Paperback: 160 pages
• Publisher: Barron's Educational Series (September 1, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0812093720
• ISBN-13: 978-0812093728
• Product Dimensions: 9.7 x 7.5 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Note: Gift-wrapping is not available for this item.
• Average Customer Review: 3.4 out of 5 stars See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,464,772 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars One of the best photo marine book for its price, March 18, 2002

By	B. Young (Hacienda Heights, CA United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Every book has its strength and weaknesses. To criticize this book for lack of reef information is unfair because this book was targeted towards the audience who either have not owned a fishtank before or who has freshwater experience but getting into salt water setup with fish only tank. I read the book cover to cover in a very short time and I feel that I've learned so much in just two hours which I would not have if I read a "more detailed" book. I got an excellent overall view of the marine fish keeping, the physiological differences between salt and fresh water fish, the evolution between the two, etc. The colorful brilliant photos printed on high quality paper for popular marine fishes is worth keeping the book for its price as a quick reference to show friends. My personal favorite and if not the only reason to keep this book is the picture of the "Picasso Triggerfish". Literally, that fish looks like an artist random dabs and stroke colorful paint all over the fish's body and it has the personality of a true pet who sleeps like a hog and rearrange and personalize its own shelter. Doesn't that make you want to go out and collect such an adorable fish? That is a mark of a good book to inspire a beginner to study more and to learn more so that one day you can keep one of those. If Clown Triggerfish cost over a hundred, that Picasso (Rhinecanthus Aculeatus) must cost much more! Reason for not being a 5 star is that this book could have gone into more detail into the poison of the Mandarin fish and how it may or may not be harmful to its surrounding ecology and fish. I really don't understand why the author would put such information to make a reader curious yet not satisfy their curiousity? Points OFF. Also, I think the tank setup is a bit outdated and I would recommend visiting a local marine fish store or the internet for updated filters/skimmers currently available. Can't really blame the author because the book was written about 8 years ago and wet/dry filtration would be too expensive for most beginners back then. Reason for not being a 3 is that each photo selected for this text is meticulously hand picked to represent the most beautiful of breed, not just some randomly obscure photo as in most pocket hand books for fish identification. Solid, easy to flip quality photo book to show friends.

Excellent overview book to guide a beginner for introducing the types of marine fishes available to help them decide what kind of fish they would like to keep in their collection. Unless you already own a more comprehensive photo handbook, this book is a good place to start.

6 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Keeps you and not your fish afloat, March 13, 1999

By A Customer

I was originally attracted to this aquarium text because of the photographic identification of marine fish commonly kept in the aquarium hobby. This aspect of the reference does a fundamental but solid job of providing necessary data on temperament, hardiness, feeding requirements, and scientific names. The text itself is well written and does provide the bare basics regarding the requirements for establishing an aquarium. In this way it appears if this book was adapted from a text formatted for freshwater aquariums. Even the pictures of steps for aquarium set up look like a freshwater tank. Brief descriptions of the mechanics of marine lighting and filtration are discussed, but in my opinion are inadequate. Especially with regard to the dynamics and interactions of equipment. No discussion of live rock nor the significance of coralline algae are included. This is probably based on their original association with reef tanks. The pretense and suggestion of this book is that reef or invertebrate tanks should be avoided for the first year or two. Whether or not this is true, most aquarists will eventually advance to these additional organisms. Considering this, it would be advantageous for the aquarist to be informed of necessary equipment and equipment limitations in greater detail. This potentates a less frustrating and more financially efficient transition during advancement in the hobby. Especially if the aquarist does not have to buy completely new systems because original ones can not be adapted to accommodate new specimens. Ironically, statements such as "this is the look we are shooting for" are all pertaining to photographs of reef aquariums with living corals. Although competently covering the basics and well photographed, I would suggest that beginners choose a more comprehehsive text especially if they have any experience in the aquarium hobby.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A good reference book for stocking up a fish only aquarium, August 20, 2001

By A Customer

It gives good identification of commonly available marine fish with a lot of great photos in high quality prints. It is specially useful as an aid to choosing fish. Pretty basic on setup and disease. Overall, it is a good beginner book for stocking a fish only aquarium system.