Need a list of good advanced books

[Dale W.]

I did this in the marine section but I would like a good list of books on FW aquariums that I can put in the archives for future use.

Please list the book title, Authers, and a brief description of the book. I am going to post this same message in the newbie section so I would like the list to be split up between advanced books and beginner books. Advanced books being listed here.

Thanks

[RTR]

First and above all:

Aquarium Atlas, Dr. Rudiger Riehl & Hans A. Baench, MERGUS, Melle, Germany. Volumes 1-3 plus Photo Index are available in English.

The series is not perfect, but is at least an order of magnitude better than anything else.

Specialized titles:

The Manual of Fish Health, Dr. Chris Andrews, Adrian Excell, and Dr. Neville Carrington, Tetra Press, Morris Plains, NJ. ISBN 3-92380-37-5. Getting old, but still quite good and useful.

The puffers of fresh and brackish waters, Dr. Klaus Ebert, Aqualog, Morfelden-Walldorf, Germany. ISBN 3-931702-60-X. A most impressive monograph on these commonly misidentified and therefore abused fish. Very impressive.

- Most Aqualog publications are worthwhile, even though expensive, for hobbyists interested in the subject fish. Where would we be without the Loricariid volume as well?

Rainbowfishes, Dr. Gerald R Allen, Tetra, Melle, Germany. ISBN 1-56465-149-5. In-depth info on these fishes.

[MP]

"Fish Medicine" Michael K.Stoskopf. 1992 W.B.Saunders Co.ISBN 0-7216-2629-7
The most comprehensive and informative book on the subject, IMO. Not for an occasional reader. Very serious reading with a lot of relevant data. No pretty pictures. It's not a substitute for a disease ID book. Expensive.

"Aquatic Systems Engineering: Devices and How They Function"
Pedro R.Escobal. I have the 1st Edition, 1996 Dimension Engineering Press ISBN 96-84422
The book is full of substance. Clear explanations, principals, simple enough calculations.

"Encyclopedia of Live Foods" Charles Masters. 1975 TFH ISBN
It's so sad that the book was never re-printed.

"Captive Seawater Fishes. Science and Technology" Stephen Spotte. 1992 John Wiley and Sons, Inc. ISBN 0-471-54554-6
A solid scientific work, a rich reference, a pleasure to read (I'm still grateful to RTR for his suggestion to check the book). Don't let the "marine title" scare you away. Expensive.

"The Marine Aquarium Reference. Systems and Invertebrates" Martin A.Moe, Jr. 1989 Green Turtle Publications ISBN 0-939960-05-2
Again, don't let the "marine title" scare you away. 80+% of the book is perfectly applicable to FW aquarium. Excellent reading suggested for aquarists of any level. Perfect explanations, useful data, and a pleasure to read.

"South American Eartheaters" Thomas Weidner. 2000 Cichlid Press
ISBN 0-9668255-1-9
The best and the only.

"Aquarium Plants" Christel Kasselmann. 2003 Krieger Publishing Co.
ISBN 1-57524-091-2
Equal to Baensch atlases, but, instead of fish, deals with plants.
The best reference so far, IMO.

"Ecology of the Planted Aquarium" Diana Walstad. 1999 Echinodorus Publishing.
ISBN 0-9673773-0-7
For a serious plant enthusiast. Whether you agree with the author's approach or not, you should read the book.

[RTR]

Thanks MP, I'm embarrassed that I did not include the Spotte - It is I think "the" advanced process ref, followed by the Moe. The Escobal is outstanding on application of process to the real world.

One small advantage to being old - you already have the out-of-print books. ;)

[MP]

:)

[JamisonBWolsh]

Never forget "Fishkeeping for DUMMIES" :)

If you can get your hands on the Idiots Guide.. get that one..but it is out of print. Dummies is easily available and extremely helpfull to the "common fishkeeper".

[pinballqueen]

A Field Guide To Freshwater Fishes: North America North of Mexico; Brooks M. Burr, et. al. 1998, Houghton Mifflin Co.
ISBN: 0395910919

Nice book from the Petersen Field Guide Series (of which I am thoroughly familiar with the volumes dealing with N.A. Bird species...). Very concise information about habitat, size, habits, and diet, with very nice illustrations. Also has sections on each species and variety, including similar species (to make clear id's on two very similar fish, for example). Also states how commonly found, and where. A must if you're wanting to set up a biotope style aquarium, it has everything except specific water temperature and ph requirements (which is information that can be gathered at the same time the fish are provided you bring a thermometer and a specimen cup or a ph tester...)

[MP]

Jamison, you confused dummies with idiots. :)

[Fishiebusiness]

The three Amano Nature Aquarium World books are quite devoid of informatin, but the pictures are good insipirations.

[valerie]

My favorite right now is Ad Koning's Book of Cichlids and All the Other Fishes of Lake Malawi By Ad Konings

Great book but cost a pretty penny. I got mine for xmas and it was about 140$can.

Some of the profiles are still in german?(or dutch maybe?can't tell) and a few profiles i was looking for weren't in there. But it has loads on info.

[JamisonBWolsh]

:D

[Aderynglas]

Creating a Natural Aquarium by Peter Hiscock -

This book shows how to create a natural aquarium, it gives information on the different biotopes in which fish are found and the needs of different fishes, and gives step by step instructions on setting up each of the different biotope aquariums (12 in all) with plenty of photos along the way. Even gives instructions on creating a cascading stream and a cave environment for blind cave fish !! (tho not in the same tank lol :D ) A little gem of a book and well worth the money.




The Aquarist's Encyclopaedia by Gunther Sterba

This book may now be out of print but still has loads to offer. Plenty of information on parasites and processes, and of the actions of various chemicals found in medication and elsewhere, in addition to the information on fish and other water creatures.

For many years it was my fishkeeping bible.

oh and the Baensch series books 1-3 very informative and concise

[waterspirit]

Dr. Burgess' Atlas of Freshwater Aquarium Fishes

[Kaylee Skylyn]

My favoret and so far the BEST I have ever found is "Exotic Aquarium Fishes" (":the Innes Book") By Dr. William T. Innes (one of the hobby greats.) Its got everything. The version I have is very old so I don't know if they have a edition in print now, its well worth the search if not.
He calls them 'exotic' aquarium fish because many of the fish we keep are not indeed 'Tropical' at all. Acuracy is good. :)

Another I am trying to get my hands on is "Spawning Problem Fishes" By Willie Jocher
Its all about spawning the harder of the tetras, Neons and such. A great one for anyone like me who addors Neons and wishes to breed them.

[ziskus]

Baensch 1
Baensch 2
Baensch 3
Baensch 4
Baensch 5
Baensch 6
Baensch Photo Index 1-5
Baensch Cichlid 1
Baensch Catfish 1
It's all I need. Simply the best.

[MP]

Baensch 6? ;)

And 4-5 are still in German...

[Red]

First as an overall more scientific than average book is

"Aquariology:master volume, the science of fish health management" published by tetrapress and cause i love catfish
"An atlas of freshwater and marine catfish" published by TFH.

[delmore]

Originally posted by Kaylee Skylyn
My favoret and so far the BEST I have ever found is "Exotic Aquarium Fishes" (":the Innes Book") By Dr. William T. Innes

What printing / year published do you have? The one from 1966 and some of the others are available for cheap.

[Botiadancer]

Cichlid Atlas Vol 1 - if you like the Baensch Atlases, you'll love this title.

Cichlid Aquarium - Paul Loiselle - I would consider this the first purchase for anybody who wants to know about cichlids.

Anything with the name Ad Konings attached to it: ie Malawi Cichlids in their Natural Habitat, Tanganyikan Secrets, Tanganyikan Cichlids in their Natural Habitat.

The Aqualog series - as RTR pointed out, they are pricey, but how many people really have to have all of them (please, no finger pointing) Absolutely wonderful photographs.

Bristlenoses, Catfish with character - by Kathy Jinkings - a wonderful little book on those cute little bushynoses.

The four books by Horst Linke and Wolfgang Staeck - African Cichlids 1-Cichlids from West Africa, African Cichlids 2-Cichlids from East Africa, American Cichids 1-Dwarf Cichlids, American Cichlids 2-Large Cichlids.

The Cichlid Fishes-Nature's Grand Experiment in Evolution by George W. Barlow - Not a how to keep them book, but very entertaining and enlightening reading. You'll fully understand what a cichlid is when you are through.

South American Dwarf Cichlids - by Mayland and Bork - everything you ever wanted to to know about these small guys with big character.

Anybody familiar with the multi-volume set on Catfish by David Sands or the Seub (Seuss??) book on Corydoras.

[valerie]

is the baensch Cichlid Atlas Vol 1 you guya are talking about the dwarf cichlid atlas? Or is there some other baensch cichlid atlas that i haven't seen.

[Sharyl C]

Fish Disease by Noga

What can I say its my bible when it comes to disease diagnosis and treatment. It has good pictures and info, as well as a Pharmacopia in the back for medications.

Aquariology.
Sorry, I don't have it in front of me at the moment but its a good general reference. Covers everything from setting up to diseases.

[SnakeIce]

Atlas of Livebearers of the World by Lothar Wischnath
isbn 0-86622-368-1
T. F. H. Publishing, INC

It contains all livebearers exept endlers. some are not kept or not able to be kept in an aquarium but the 10"X15" coffe' table style book has pictures of most of the species, lots of biotope information, aquarium care info, and even a section that explains some genetic info on some of the more popular spieces.

A beautiful interesting book.

[Lila]

If anyone is looking for these books, I have found some of them on ebay. I think I may bid on a few of them (especially the really praised ones)

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=3212&item=2310195736&rd=1

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=11114&item=3504466581&rd=1

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=11114&item=3505413949&rd=1

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=29263&item=3504571729&rd=1

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=11114&item=3504889689&rd=1

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=11114&item=3505248531&rd=1

Hope that helps some of ya!

[ziskus]

Baensch Vol. 6 is brandnew. Vol. 4, 5, and 6 are in German, but since I am German I couldn't care less.

[Pufferpunk]

Check out this review of The Puffers of Fresh and Brackish Waters, by Dr Klaus Ebert:

http://www.tomgriffin.com/aquasource/pufferreview.shtml

[TBA]

I'd have to say the best books I've found are the Baensch Aquarium Atlas' (vols. #1-3). I'd recommend buying all three but if you can't afford all three at once, the first one's worth having without the other two.

[ziskus]

couldn't agree more.

[VoodooChild]

Corydoras by Haeb I believe though I'm not sure.
Fishes of Wisconsin. I don't have the author but it is THE book for anyone interested in native fishes from the Midwest. About $100 but well worth it.
Hey Val, where'd you get Ad Konnig's book (great I may add) for so much? I know you said Canadian, but I bought mine for only $60. I think that I'm still way ahead.

[valerie]

My mom got it from chapters. they didn't have it in so they ordered it for us. That was the cheapest i have found, same as bigalsonline.com is selling it for i think.

[TTman]

Dr Axelrod's Aquarium Atlas. NOT the mini-one, the $99.99 one. big thick big book w/thousands of pictures.

[Mini Me]

This is probably a dumb question, but what is a ISBN number, what does it stand for and what does it do:o :confused:

[Mini Me]

oh and also, is there a book that specialises in the smaller peaceful cichlids?

Thanks

[GER1023]

For south american heres two i found

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_Display.cfm?siteid=6&pCatId=5072

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_Display.cfm?siteid=6&pCatId=4650

[Roland]

A definative guide to 02 breathers. It has numerous species that Ive never come across in the UK, and is a book that I would class as 'old skool'

As well as this it has 144 pages filled with the care/breeding habits/fry care of numerous species of labyrinth fish. It interestingly also speaks of the origins of certain species - for example the HOW and WHY we see our beloved betta splendens (.... the long finned male, siamese fighting fish aka thai fighting fish) in our Local Fish Store

( going off one one here but here goes, i've seen wild betta splendens in the streams of southern thailand as recently as 2002... Long finned versions that have clearly made their way back to the rice paddies from whence they came. truely beautifull, and yet vulnerable... another topic perhaps!)

an informative read though - the only downside being that the copy I have is dated... (1984, ISBN 0-8120-5635-3) Thats what I meant by old skool.

But I bought my copy from a christian charity shop in N.E 8 years ago (10 cents, hard back!!!), so here's hoping there's and updated version for most of you.

Still valid (in my opinion) is the 1984 copy. Ive bred and raised to this book.

Hope this helps. ;)