Looking for an advanced aquarist book

[Misskiwi67]

Hey all, I got 30 dollars in gift certificates for borders, and I feel like spending it on a fish book. Does anyone have any ideas? Everyone bases their ratings on how well beginners would like a specific book, and I've been keeping fish since I was 7. I'm no beginner, but I'm no expert either. Does anyone have a favorite all-around aquarium book to recommend?? If not, I think I'll end up buying one of Takashi Amano's books, just for the pictures. :)

[125gJoe]

Good question! Wish I knew of a good one, and for a reference type of book too..

[wetmanNY]

George Barlow, The Cichlid Fishes. It's not a hobby book. It's for anyone who's ready to read about cichlids on about a Scientific American level. Perfectly clear and well written. Full of surprises. Totally excellent.

Or, if you're interested in planted "natural" aquariums and how the biochemistry of it all works (no pretty photos though): Diana Walstad, Ecology of the Planted Aquarium.

Or if you're interested in microbes in general, John Postgate, Microbes and Man. It helps you understand the microbial ecology of the aquarium, without even discussing aquariums!

Or if you're really interested in planted tanks and ready to spring about 75 bucks, Christel Kasselmann, Aquarium Plants. Not just another pretty book. This is a brand new English translation of a famous German book, and it's the aquarium book of the year...