Everything you wanted to know about Bettas, but were afraid to ask....
352755
Other than the fact that this very thin "manual" is incredibly expensive, the material covered, the manner of presentation, the depth of the material et al is impressive. Marcus Song has done a wonderful job in assisting you in the setting up and care of Bettas. He has a superb section on problems and solutions and some nice web links to followup on.

I am sure that with enough searching and digging and less money, you could find all of the information in this book, but why when Marcus Song has done it all for you.
3461729
This is an exceptionally informative book for any aquarist interested in keeping East African cichlids. There is general information on aquarium set up & maintenance along with specialized detail on these beautiful  exotic fishes.
I especially enjoyed the section on the native habitat of  the East African lakes with maps and many photos of fish in their natural  setting. I appreciate knowing this background of the fish I am  keeping.
Individual species of cichlids are described with their unique  characteristics. Clear photos show the variety and beautiful coloration  within this family. Selecting fish that will live together in harmony is  emphasized.
The comprehensive species specific feeding instructions  provided are invaluable since the requirements vary widely among the  different cichlids. Breeding and health tips complete this great guide.
1780523
"Tanks" like these need to just be taken off the market... small tanks are not appropriate for any fish and just because Bettas are cheap doesn't make them any less of a fish or animal. Until I recently bought a 3 gallon tank for my Betta, I had no idea what a difference it makes... you'll enjoy your pet much more if you don't just throw him in any old glass bowl/vase/whatever. My little guy seems so much happier... he loves going up to the tiny "current" the filter makes and swimming in it... he's much more active and swims all over the place.

Take the time to get a filter, a tank no smaller than 3 gallons and a heater (they are really supposed to have water about 80 degrees!).
1882675
I had big expectations after reading different reviews before I bought this book, but must say that I was kind of dissapointet when I got it. I will try to "get to know the book" better, and maybe my point of view will change, but I had hopet for more information about the different species, where they live and so on. The book contains a lot of great pictures, though! And I think the book will become more useful to me later, when I learn more and experience more about Malawi cichlids and mbunas in general.
2048203
BEST betta purchase yet! He loves his hammock and spends a lot of time resting on it. Try feeding them over it first and don't put it too far beneath the surface.
981909
More than you wanted to know but were afraid to ask.  Coupled with something more accessible first (such as "Practical Guide to Corals", this detailed resource is excellent.  One must become familiar with scientific terms, but since they are used throughout and consistently, after awhile this becomes easier.  Top flight resource, but not the first book I would purchase on the topic (as stated above).
4631283
I found that this book offers not only the basics on seahorses but it probes into the biology, habitats, courtship rituals, and mythology associated with seahorses.  Also touched upon, are the dangers that seahorses face due to loss of habitat, pollution and use of seahorses in novelty items and medicine.  This book is great for anyone wanting to know more about these interesting animals.  Also great for students doing research or reports.  I have only one complaint.  The small format of this book is bit bothersome. It was difficult to hold and read near the binding at times.  While the book includes many photos, some of them would be more impressive if they were a bit larger.
2823299
Do not buy this product. First of all, betta fish should have at the very least, a 2.5 gallon heated aquarium. Additionally, the bettas cannot eat the roots; they're carnivores and need a high protein diet supplemented with bloodworms, such as Betta Buffet. If you want to teach your child about aquaponics, go out and make a bin system. Also, if you're adamant on getting your child a fish, buy a 5 gallon aquarium for a betta and expect to have to take care of it.
4501713
So I love this tank, it's beautiful, pretty easy to put together, my fish was happier and swimming around more, and the water flow didn't seem to be too much for him. One weekend we had a bad storm and so on Friday I turned off his water fountain flow because their was a possibility of us losing electricity. I got back on Tuesday after labor day, and his water was cloudy, after not having the water fountain on all weekend to filter it. I go to change the water, put my betta back in the tank, and this time for whatever reason, he accidentally gets stuck up in the filter. I realized he was stuck due to the water not flowing as freely and it making a noise. I had to have a coworker help me pull the filter off the back part because of the fear of what I would find, and the fish came out with his head kinda slashed up and he soon after died. A little traumatic. I read one other review where someone else's fish was killed, so it can and does happen. I guess I plan on getting another betta and just hope he has a better outcome :(
2212227
Don't get me wrong, this book is good, however... while reading the book, it uses mostly the scientific names for everything.  It would be nice if after the scientific name, it has a common name in parenthesis, you know, using the names the fish stores use.  Other than that, it is a decent book.
1441765
Love this book..its up to date on information,Excellent pictures,and care information..I only have Bettas as pets and this book stresses over and over to not keep a Betta in a small container..if you do youl have to change the water daily..im now waiting for my 5gallon tank to come.this is a great book..
159215
as the caretaker of a red-footed tortoise, and being terribly curious about what's going on "under the hood," i found all the answers that i wanted in this amazingly informative book (and then some)!

curious about prescription drugs?  diseases?  anatomy?  surgical techniques?  husbandry recommendations?  it's ALL there, with wonderfully vivid illustrations.  a word to the squeamish, though -- there are many graphic photographs from study cadavers and of case studies that show the effects of major illness, injury, and neglect/abuse.

while the cost is, yes, prohibitively expensive, many public and university libraries participate in inter-library loans, and you may very likely be able to read it that way (that's what i did!).
4295675
This book is not for lazy people , have a lot of fishes and information about fishes on it, but you must learn to read this book, because the info is on simbols and the reference is in the index.

Once you know how to use this book, it can be of great help  identifying fish ,their origins, foods, care, and needs.

All i have to say is, if you want a book about fishes, and want to learn a lot about them, this is the book that you are looking for.
2391118
This is a good book for those just entering into the world of home aquariums.  It is very simple and informs the reader what they need to know when setting up their first aquarium.  One thing that is majorly misinforming is his review of weather loaches calling them "the drabbest, least interesting species" (Pg. 164).  This is completely untrue and I was actually shocked when I read this.  I have never met anyone who has said this about weather loaches, in fact just the opposite.  I myself keep plenty of them, and they are among the most vibrant and entertaining species to watch in my tanks.  Here you can see my loaches ([...]).  The only other problem I have with this book is that it, probably intentionally, is written as if the reader is pretty dumb.  It seems as though the author is writing to a child, again possibly intentionally.  I would have liked a little more detail and a little less "you're probably too dumb to understand this so I won't explain it" mentality.
928494
I don't have a saltwater aquarium, yet. I bought this book to familiarize myself with it;, to see if I ever really want to set one up. I've had freshwater tanks regularly since 1999; other tanks since 1979. I currently own a 55gal, 10gal and a 5.5gal quarantine tank, which are cycling. I've read other books on the subject that don't stand up as well, as far as the knowledge contained. This book covers it all: from choosing a tank, setting it up and it delves into that often confusing topic of the nitrogen cycle or cycling. It even gives bio information on the fish and invertebrates to stock your tank. All in all, this is a great book to have.
This book made the overwhelming understandable for me. I still don't know whether I want to set up a saltwater tank. Saltwater aquariums require more equipment and the tank environment isn't as forgiving, but if and when I do, this will be the book I refer to. I highly recommend it for new and seasoned saltwater aquarists to have on your shelf.
2382200
I was prepared to really like this book. It is centered on Darwin's study of barnacles and their contribution to his evolutionary thinking. In some ways the author sort of got there, but along the way she often got off the track and uses some strange analogies in the process. There were several typos that were disturbing. Perhaps the worst is that we are told on page 21 that the marine segmented worm Aphrodita aculeata has stinging hairs (it does not! - see Sue Hubbell's excellent book "Waiting for Aphrodite"), and that it is parasitic (it is a carnivore, as Hubbell also noted). In stating that Aphrodita has stinging hairs Rebecca Stott was repeating an error that has come down to us through a book published in 1558 by Rondelet! Also "aculeata" does not mean, "stinging", but spiny! One would think that by now this misinformation would not continue to be repeated. However, the main problem is that the author rambles a bit too much and covers a lot of ground not pertinent to the subject. In fact she covers a lot of the ground in regard to Darwin's personal problems that is better explored in several other recent books. This is not a fatal flaw, but the book would have been more original if the focus had been kept on the barnacles rather than on background material that nearly every biographer of Darwin has investigated. As for the book being "lavishly illustrated," I am wondering what the writers of the dust jacket blurb meant! I would not have described it in that manner at all! Maybe "adequately illustrated" would have been better!
This book is worth reading and does give us some of the details left out of other books on Darwin, but the author has not answered the questions about Darwin's barnacles I would have liked to have had answered.
2837923
This is a great beginner guide to those who want to own a saltwater aquarium: from the types of aquarium that are available and you can build, what fish you can get, how to maintain, and how to introduce new fish in the tank. It also addresses ethical concerns some people may have about harvesting fish or other creatures from the sea. Definitely informative - would love to have had photos instead of text but oh well