Help in pick out a book (or books) about marine fishes, inverts, crustaceans, etc...

[Pegasis]

Hi All,

I am looking for a book (or books) with color pics and descriptions of marine fishes, inverts, crustaceans, algaes, diseases, etc. I don't know if there is such a thing printed in one book. I have been told of Dr. Burgess's Atlas of Marine Aquarium Fishes. by the name, I assume it covers fish only. I would like to know about all of the fishes + the other things that would be in a reef tank with color pics and the descritions including their requirements (food, water specs.,etc.) what they get allong with etc.

Maybe I am asking too much, but I thought I would ask the group for suggestions.

Thank you for your help.

Steven

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pegasis@concentric.net

[mini mee]

Hi Steven
That is a tough one, 1 book for all would be great though I know I could sure use one.

good luck
mini mee

[FishDaddy]

You're right, there really isn't a comprehensive work that has all these things. The Reef Aquarium, Vols. I and II or The Modern Coral Reef Aquarium set are essential references but you need to add books like Puterbaugh and Borneman's Practical Guide to Corals and Scott Michael's Reef Fishes to get more care info. Burgess' Atlas is good but like you said, only covers fish.
A good work is the Baensch Atlas Series. I have Volume I and it covers the topics very well.
I also have TRA Iⅈ the P&B book; Joyce Wilkerson's Clownfish book and several others.
Dick
You can't be too rich; too thin or have too many books!

[Rick O]

I have "The Modern Coral Reef Aquarium" vol 2 and it's great for corals. Lots of pics and great for ID'ing and care. I've thumbed through vol 3 and it looks good for worms, snails, crabs, shrimp, etc. Maybe someone else can suggest a fish book.

Rick

[carolina98]

IME, these two books are the best for all things reef: The Consciencious Marine Aquarist by Robert M. Fenner, and The Natural Reef Aquarium by John Tullock. Lots of great pics, and info'. Great for the beginner, as well as advanced aquarists. As far as fish only books, Scott Michael's Pocket Expert Guide to Marine Fish is an invaluable resource. I take it with me every time I go to the LFS (just in case something decides to follow me home )

HTH,


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Peace,
caro

[tdwyatt]

Hi Pegasis,

I like all the books that everyone has listed so far for good, accurate general information about the aquariums, microcosms, chemistry, and some ID's, but if you are looking for a good ID book alone...

I am looking for a book (or books) with color pics and descriptions of marine fishes, inverts, crustaceans, algaes, diseases, etc. I don't know if there is such a thing printed in one book

Then I would suggest Dr Baensch's book, "Marine Atlas -- The Joint Aquarium Care of Invertebrates and Tropical Marine Fishes" in English from Mergus publishers in Germany. Although it does contain a section for the setup and chemistry, etc for marine aquaria, the table of contents lists Algae, Invertebrates (including anemones and crustaceans) and most of the aquarium marine fishes that you'll probably ever see in the ornamental trade and a short description of their care and feeding, plus some information on the taxonomy and aids in sexing the different spp. The ID section starting with the algae starts on page 214, and goes through 1167 and has color plates of the spp. all through the text (almost each and every sp. named has a color plate.) Soon I understand there will be an additional volume for the corals as well (to be translated into english I hope!) This book, along with Eric's new book or Julien Sprung's book should be enough to ID anything you would encounter in the trade. If you are a diver, you will probably want to use Scott Michaels 3 vol set for fishes(if they EVER publish the other 2 vol's) and J.E.N. Veron's new edition of "Corals of the World", a 3 vol set that just became available (and is a WONDERFUL full color set) to ID the corals and coralimorphs.

I think the other books listed are absolutely essential to any reef keeper's library, probably before you start buying ID books, but to answer the question you asked, my recommendation is for Dr. Baensch's book.

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Tom <"{{{{>(
(TDWyatt)
Wise men talk because they have something to say; fools, because they have to say something. -Plato

[This message has been edited by tdwyatt (edited 02-02-2001).]