Good first read, 27 Apr 2005
Quite a good book for the beginner. I refer to it still after setting up my tank successfully and my fish are thriving. The book is quick and to the point giving you concise information for quick decision and reference. It is not an in-depth reference for all marine setups. The writer seems to know his stuff and tells you some things that other books and aquarists will tell you are wrong but i have had no probs. I have bought other books with a lot more information in but this is just as good for the beginner or if you want to know the pitfalls associated with keeping marine fish before spending all your money and finding out its not for you.

Lots of technical information, 03 Jun 2001
You can find lots of technical information. Anything by him is worth buying and reading -- although let me say that this little book is fantastic. I've recommended to several fish stores that they start including this work with their "starter" set ups. I learned alot and have set two tanks up with the directions. I have re-read a couple of times for info that I needed down the line and didn't understand at the time. Great book!

Good first read, 27 Apr 2005
Quite a good book for the beginner. I refer to it still after setting up my tank successfully and my fish are thriving. The book is quick and to the point giving you concise information for quick decision and reference. It is not an in-depth reference for all marine setups. The writer seems to know his stuff and tells you some things that other books and aquarists will tell you are wrong but i have had no probs. I have bought other books with a lot more information in but this is just as good for the beginner or if you want to know the pitfalls associated with keeping marine fish before spending all your money and finding out its not for you.

Lots of technical information, 03 Jun 2001
You can find lots of technical information. Anything by him is worth buying and reading -- although let me say that this little book is fantastic. I've recommended to several fish stores that they start including this work with their "starter" set ups. I learned alot and have set two tanks up with the directions. I have re-read a couple of times for info that I needed down the line and didn't understand at the time. Great book!

A Good Aid to Knowing Your Fish, 13 Oct 2007

Gina Sandford is a much respected and well published name in the field of Tropical Fishkeeping. She is the author opf a number of books on the subject and regularly has articles in the Practical Fishkeeping magazine and other magazines and periodicals on the subject.

She is well qualified to write on the subject and is particularly good at putting down the basics for the beginner, starting out with their first aquarium. Like any other pet, fish are reliant upon their owner for their welfare and good health, so it makes sense that the more you know about your fish the better qualified you will be to keep them happy.

It does not always follow that because a fish is small it will fit in well with other fish in a tank. Some of the most aggressive fish are small and can be very territorial. So unless you have a very large tank they will probably cause trouble. Getting a good balance of fish that will live with one another is where the book comes into its own and will help you to avoid making costly and sometimes fatal mistakes.

Excellent guide for the new fishkeeper, 29 Dec 2003
This is an excellent guide for the novice fishkeeper, it contains all the information that you will need to know about what type of fish to buy for the aquarium. It advises whether the fish are ideal for the novice or a more experienced keeper, what water type the fish prefers (acidic, neutral etc), the correct water temperature, the size the fish will grow to, the minimum number that you should purchase as not all fish will live in groups some are solitary whilst others will only live in shoals.

The book contains a basic guide to understanding your fish and how to take care of them to building a compatible aquarium. This book has been invaluable in deciding on which fish to purchase has I have learnt the hard way and lost a lot of expensive fish by buying fish that were for the more experienced keeper because they looked very nice, believe me its not worth it, follow the guidelines in the book. After reading through the book, choosing fish suitable for the novice, I know have a well stocked tank and all is going well.

Good first read, 27 Apr 2005
Quite a good book for the beginner. I refer to it still after setting up my tank successfully and my fish are thriving. The book is quick and to the point giving you concise information for quick decision and reference. It is not an in-depth reference for all marine setups. The writer seems to know his stuff and tells you some things that other books and aquarists will tell you are wrong but i have had no probs. I have bought other books with a lot more information in but this is just as good for the beginner or if you want to know the pitfalls associated with keeping marine fish before spending all your money and finding out its not for you.

Lots of technical information, 03 Jun 2001
You can find lots of technical information. Anything by him is worth buying and reading -- although let me say that this little book is fantastic. I've recommended to several fish stores that they start including this work with their "starter" set ups. I learned alot and have set two tanks up with the directions. I have re-read a couple of times for info that I needed down the line and didn't understand at the time. Great book!

A Good Aid to Knowing Your Fish, 13 Oct 2007

Gina Sandford is a much respected and well published name in the field of Tropical Fishkeeping. She is the author opf a number of books on the subject and regularly has articles in the Practical Fishkeeping magazine and other magazines and periodicals on the subject.

She is well qualified to write on the subject and is particularly good at putting down the basics for the beginner, starting out with their first aquarium. Like any other pet, fish are reliant upon their owner for their welfare and good health, so it makes sense that the more you know about your fish the better qualified you will be to keep them happy.

It does not always follow that because a fish is small it will fit in well with other fish in a tank. Some of the most aggressive fish are small and can be very territorial. So unless you have a very large tank they will probably cause trouble. Getting a good balance of fish that will live with one another is where the book comes into its own and will help you to avoid making costly and sometimes fatal mistakes.

Excellent guide for the new fishkeeper, 29 Dec 2003
This is an excellent guide for the novice fishkeeper, it contains all the information that you will need to know about what type of fish to buy for the aquarium. It advises whether the fish are ideal for the novice or a more experienced keeper, what water type the fish prefers (acidic, neutral etc), the correct water temperature, the size the fish will grow to, the minimum number that you should purchase as not all fish will live in groups some are solitary whilst others will only live in shoals.

The book contains a basic guide to understanding your fish and how to take care of them to building a compatible aquarium. This book has been invaluable in deciding on which fish to purchase has I have learnt the hard way and lost a lot of expensive fish by buying fish that were for the more experienced keeper because they looked very nice, believe me its not worth it, follow the guidelines in the book. After reading through the book, choosing fish suitable for the novice, I know have a well stocked tank and all is going well.

A useful reference book, 29 Apr 2008
This book contains huge amounts of information about tropical fish, but is let down by its lack of an index. There is a wealth of detail about diseases and problems, and lots of practical advice about setting up and maintaining a healthy aquarium. The authors obviously feel strongly about the duty of owners to look after the welfare of fish, and are keen point out bad practices to be avoided. However, it's not an easy book to read, which is a shame, as there are lots of useful tips which could prevent problems.

I think the section on diseases and problems is one of the most useful in the book - if your fish has something wrong, being able to read through a chapter which answers questions like 'what if my fish has spots' does help to work out what might be the problem (though it's never going to be easy).

There are very few photos or illustrations, and there is not much information about the specific varieties or species of tropical fish. You browse along the tanks in the aquatics store, and like the look of something, but if you don't happen to know the Latin name of the family your chosen fish belong to, it is very difficult to find in the book. Even if you can find it, the information tends to be quite general and it often doesn't help you decide whether this is suitable for your particular set-up - you see a tetra you like, but the book gives general information about 'most' tetras, and doesn't tell you about this specific variety. Especially if you're coming to tropical fish as a beginner, I would recommend researching on the internet as well, and/or buying a separate illustrated guide such as one of Gina Sandford's books to find out about specific varieties of fish.

Fishlopaedia does live up to its sub-title 'A Complete Guide to Fish Care'. I found the tone of the writing a bit off-putting at times, as it tended to be rather lecturing and humourless, and I can't understand why it doesn't have an index, but on the whole I would recommend this as a useful reference book.

As Good as Any, 13 Dec 2007
This is a book for both beginners and also the more expert fish-keepers, from a lady who knows what she is talking about. It is well written and covers a broad spectrum of the fish that are generally available from tropical fish outlets. It has some good quality photographs but concentrates on information rather than lots of glossy photos.

It has all the usual features of how to set up an aquarium and more importantly how to keep the aquarium healthy. If your tank is not healthy, i.e. good water chemistry, real plants if at all possible and a filter that is working efficiently, then in all probability you fish will not be healthy either. All the information you need to achieve this is right there in the book.

The book also gives you details of a good cross-section of fish, their shape, size, what they like to eat etc. and very importantly, whether they will get along with other fish in the confined space of your tank. Lots of fish will live quite happily together but many of them will not and the book helps you to decide the type of fish to keep together. Fish like humans get ill now and again but in the main they are quite healthy. The book covers most of the more common ailments of fish and what to do about them

This is one of the better books on fish-keeping and worth a place on the bookshelf of any tropical fish hobbyist.

great book!!!!, 27 Jun 2007
I got this when I got a new fish tank with a filter. This book is the best! I have used it quite a lot, even though I only have coldwater fish. It tells you about setting up the aquarium , different types of filters, water chemistry, it has a good list of tropical fish, it has a lot on fish behavior, diseases and such. I would highly recommend this book,

All you need to know about your fish tank, 25 Apr 2007
When I bought this book, we didnt have a fish tank, we were just thinking of getting one, and didnt want to go through the expense and disappointment of setting up the tank wrong and seeing all our fish die. How pleased I was I chose this particular book. Everything was simply but effectively described, from chosing a filter system, picking the correct substrate, to what to do if fish behaviour suddenly changes. Several sections are set out in a helpful "what if ?" way, for example, "what happens if my fish jumps?" and then the answer is discussed. Much empasis is placed throughout the book on keeping everything fish friendly so that the fish dont become stressed, or worse die. Both authors are very well qualified to write on the subject, and their experience shows. This book was perfect for an absolute beginner like me, and while there are few pictures, the book doesnt set itself out to be a "fish-picking" book, it is all about tank and fish care. There is an interesting section on the latin or scientific naming of fish, which I found particularly enlightening.

Overall I would say to any beginner that this book is a very good buy for the initial tank set up and any subsequent problems.

....Yawn!....., 11 Jul 2004
A very infomrative book and has a lot to teach, but it is written in a very dull, sleep provoking manner....if you stay awake long enough, you will learn loads! Virtually no pictures.

Good first read, 27 Apr 2005
Quite a good book for the beginner. I refer to it still after setting up my tank successfully and my fish are thriving. The book is quick and to the point giving you concise information for quick decision and reference. It is not an in-depth reference for all marine setups. The writer seems to know his stuff and tells you some things that other books and aquarists will tell you are wrong but i have had no probs. I have bought other books with a lot more information in but this is just as good for the beginner or if you want to know the pitfalls associated with keeping marine fish before spending all your money and finding out its not for you.

Lots of technical information, 03 Jun 2001
You can find lots of technical information. Anything by him is worth buying and reading -- although let me say that this little book is fantastic. I've recommended to several fish stores that they start including this work with their "starter" set ups. I learned alot and have set two tanks up with the directions. I have re-read a couple of times for info that I needed down the line and didn't understand at the time. Great book!

A Good Aid to Knowing Your Fish, 13 Oct 2007

Gina Sandford is a much respected and well published name in the field of Tropical Fishkeeping. She is the author opf a number of books on the subject and regularly has articles in the Practical Fishkeeping magazine and other magazines and periodicals on the subject.

She is well qualified to write on the subject and is particularly good at putting down the basics for the beginner, starting out with their first aquarium. Like any other pet, fish are reliant upon their owner for their welfare and good health, so it makes sense that the more you know about your fish the better qualified you will be to keep them happy.

It does not always follow that because a fish is small it will fit in well with other fish in a tank. Some of the most aggressive fish are small and can be very territorial. So unless you have a very large tank they will probably cause trouble. Getting a good balance of fish that will live with one another is where the book comes into its own and will help you to avoid making costly and sometimes fatal mistakes.

Excellent guide for the new fishkeeper, 29 Dec 2003
This is an excellent guide for the novice fishkeeper, it contains all the information that you will need to know about what type of fish to buy for the aquarium. It advises whether the fish are ideal for the novice or a more experienced keeper, what water type the fish prefers (acidic, neutral etc), the correct water temperature, the size the fish will grow to, the minimum number that you should purchase as not all fish will live in groups some are solitary whilst others will only live in shoals.

The book contains a basic guide to understanding your fish and how to take care of them to building a compatible aquarium. This book has been invaluable in deciding on which fish to purchase has I have learnt the hard way and lost a lot of expensive fish by buying fish that were for the more experienced keeper because they looked very nice, believe me its not worth it, follow the guidelines in the book. After reading through the book, choosing fish suitable for the novice, I know have a well stocked tank and all is going well.

A useful reference book, 29 Apr 2008
This book contains huge amounts of information about tropical fish, but is let down by its lack of an index. There is a wealth of detail about diseases and problems, and lots of practical advice about setting up and maintaining a healthy aquarium. The authors obviously feel strongly about the duty of owners to look after the welfare of fish, and are keen point out bad practices to be avoided. However, it's not an easy book to read, which is a shame, as there are lots of useful tips which could prevent problems.

I think the section on diseases and problems is one of the most useful in the book - if your fish has something wrong, being able to read through a chapter which answers questions like 'what if my fish has spots' does help to work out what might be the problem (though it's never going to be easy).

There are very few photos or illustrations, and there is not much information about the specific varieties or species of tropical fish. You browse along the tanks in the aquatics store, and like the look of something, but if you don't happen to know the Latin name of the family your chosen fish belong to, it is very difficult to find in the book. Even if you can find it, the information tends to be quite general and it often doesn't help you decide whether this is suitable for your particular set-up - you see a tetra you like, but the book gives general information about 'most' tetras, and doesn't tell you about this specific variety. Especially if you're coming to tropical fish as a beginner, I would recommend researching on the internet as well, and/or buying a separate illustrated guide such as one of Gina Sandford's books to find out about specific varieties of fish.

Fishlopaedia does live up to its sub-title 'A Complete Guide to Fish Care'. I found the tone of the writing a bit off-putting at times, as it tended to be rather lecturing and humourless, and I can't understand why it doesn't have an index, but on the whole I would recommend this as a useful reference book.

As Good as Any, 13 Dec 2007
This is a book for both beginners and also the more expert fish-keepers, from a lady who knows what she is talking about. It is well written and covers a broad spectrum of the fish that are generally available from tropical fish outlets. It has some good quality photographs but concentrates on information rather than lots of glossy photos.

It has all the usual features of how to set up an aquarium and more importantly how to keep the aquarium healthy. If your tank is not healthy, i.e. good water chemistry, real plants if at all possible and a filter that is working efficiently, then in all probability you fish will not be healthy either. All the information you need to achieve this is right there in the book.

The book also gives you details of a good cross-section of fish, their shape, size, what they like to eat etc. and very importantly, whether they will get along with other fish in the confined space of your tank. Lots of fish will live quite happily together but many of them will not and the book helps you to decide the type of fish to keep together. Fish like humans get ill now and again but in the main they are quite healthy. The book covers most of the more common ailments of fish and what to do about them

This is one of the better books on fish-keeping and worth a place on the bookshelf of any tropical fish hobbyist.

great book!!!!, 27 Jun 2007
I got this when I got a new fish tank with a filter. This book is the best! I have used it quite a lot, even though I only have coldwater fish. It tells you about setting up the aquarium , different types of filters, water chemistry, it has a good list of tropical fish, it has a lot on fish behavior, diseases and such. I would highly recommend this book,

All you need to know about your fish tank, 25 Apr 2007
When I bought this book, we didnt have a fish tank, we were just thinking of getting one, and didnt want to go through the expense and disappointment of setting up the tank wrong and seeing all our fish die. How pleased I was I chose this particular book. Everything was simply but effectively described, from chosing a filter system, picking the correct substrate, to what to do if fish behaviour suddenly changes. Several sections are set out in a helpful "what if ?" way, for example, "what happens if my fish jumps?" and then the answer is discussed. Much empasis is placed throughout the book on keeping everything fish friendly so that the fish dont become stressed, or worse die. Both authors are very well qualified to write on the subject, and their experience shows. This book was perfect for an absolute beginner like me, and while there are few pictures, the book doesnt set itself out to be a "fish-picking" book, it is all about tank and fish care. There is an interesting section on the latin or scientific naming of fish, which I found particularly enlightening.

Overall I would say to any beginner that this book is a very good buy for the initial tank set up and any subsequent problems.

....Yawn!....., 11 Jul 2004
A very infomrative book and has a lot to teach, but it is written in a very dull, sleep provoking manner....if you stay awake long enough, you will learn loads! Virtually no pictures.

Informative introduction to approx 60 species, 05 Feb 2008
Yes this is a book for beginners- but an extremely useful one. However you do tend to go I WANT THAT FISH! and then notice that it grows to 18"/ 45cm (So that cute looking yellow horned cowfish will be out then!).

You get a species to a page. A nice picture of the fish. A globe to show you the rough distribution. There's a description of the fish and it's eventual size. There's also a panel of fishkeeping data which tells you:
The number per aquarium
The community it fits in
Its swimming zone
Food
Compatibility (whether it eats other tankmates)
Availability (including whether it's tank bred or live caught)
Captive breeding possibilities.

Frankly as the data is well laid out and succinctly informative I feel that this is a very good planning guide which could prevent costly mistakes in the brightly coloured world of marine fishkeeping.



A must for informaton on selecting marine fish., 07 Jul 2002
This book made an interesting and informative read. I do belive that it is more for the begginer, rathur than the experianced hobbiest.
It had colourful pictures and quick, easy to read and remember tips and facts for each of the species mentioned. The only fault I could find was the lack of information for when you wish to progres beond the 'begginer' stage.
However, It is a must for all new to keeping marine fish a it sticks to important information with no jargon!

Good first read, 27 Apr 2005
Quite a good book for the beginner. I refer to it still after setting up my tank successfully and my fish are thriving. The book is quick and to the point giving you concise information for quick decision and reference. It is not an in-depth reference for all marine setups. The writer seems to know his stuff and tells you some things that other books and aquarists will tell you are wrong but i have had no probs. I have bought other books with a lot more information in but this is just as good for the beginner or if you want to know the pitfalls associated with keeping marine fish before spending all your money and finding out its not for you.

Lots of technical information, 03 Jun 2001
You can find lots of technical information. Anything by him is worth buying and reading -- although let me say that this little book is fantastic. I've recommended to several fish stores that they start including this work with their "starter" set ups. I learned alot and have set two tanks up with the directions. I have re-read a couple of times for info that I needed down the line and didn't understand at the time. Great book!

A Good Aid to Knowing Your Fish, 13 Oct 2007

Gina Sandford is a much respected and well published name in the field of Tropical Fishkeeping. She is the author opf a number of books on the subject and regularly has articles in the Practical Fishkeeping magazine and other magazines and periodicals on the subject.

She is well qualified to write on the subject and is particularly good at putting down the basics for the beginner, starting out with their first aquarium. Like any other pet, fish are reliant upon their owner for their welfare and good health, so it makes sense that the more you know about your fish the better qualified you will be to keep them happy.

It does not always follow that because a fish is small it will fit in well with other fish in a tank. Some of the most aggressive fish are small and can be very territorial. So unless you have a very large tank they will probably cause trouble. Getting a good balance of fish that will live with one another is where the book comes into its own and will help you to avoid making costly and sometimes fatal mistakes.

Excellent guide for the new fishkeeper, 29 Dec 2003
This is an excellent guide for the novice fishkeeper, it contains all the information that you will need to know about what type of fish to buy for the aquarium. It advises whether the fish are ideal for the novice or a more experienced keeper, what water type the fish prefers (acidic, neutral etc), the correct water temperature, the size the fish will grow to, the minimum number that you should purchase as not all fish will live in groups some are solitary whilst others will only live in shoals.

The book contains a basic guide to understanding your fish and how to take care of them to building a compatible aquarium. This book has been invaluable in deciding on which fish to purchase has I have learnt the hard way and lost a lot of expensive fish by buying fish that were for the more experienced keeper because they looked very nice, believe me its not worth it, follow the guidelines in the book. After reading through the book, choosing fish suitable for the novice, I know have a well stocked tank and all is going well.

A useful reference book, 29 Apr 2008
This book contains huge amounts of information about tropical fish, but is let down by its lack of an index. There is a wealth of detail about diseases and problems, and lots of practical advice about setting up and maintaining a healthy aquarium. The authors obviously feel strongly about the duty of owners to look after the welfare of fish, and are keen point out bad practices to be avoided. However, it's not an easy book to read, which is a shame, as there are lots of useful tips which could prevent problems.

I think the section on diseases and problems is one of the most useful in the book - if your fish has something wrong, being able to read through a chapter which answers questions like 'what if my fish has spots' does help to work out what might be the problem (though it's never going to be easy).

There are very few photos or illustrations, and there is not much information about the specific varieties or species of tropical fish. You browse along the tanks in the aquatics store, and like the look of something, but if you don't happen to know the Latin name of the family your chosen fish belong to, it is very difficult to find in the book. Even if you can find it, the information tends to be quite general and it often doesn't help you decide whether this is suitable for your particular set-up - you see a tetra you like, but the book gives general information about 'most' tetras, and doesn't tell you about this specific variety. Especially if you're coming to tropical fish as a beginner, I would recommend researching on the internet as well, and/or buying a separate illustrated guide such as one of Gina Sandford's books to find out about specific varieties of fish.

Fishlopaedia does live up to its sub-title 'A Complete Guide to Fish Care'. I found the tone of the writing a bit off-putting at times, as it tended to be rather lecturing and humourless, and I can't understand why it doesn't have an index, but on the whole I would recommend this as a useful reference book.

As Good as Any, 13 Dec 2007
This is a book for both beginners and also the more expert fish-keepers, from a lady who knows what she is talking about. It is well written and covers a broad spectrum of the fish that are generally available from tropical fish outlets. It has some good quality photographs but concentrates on information rather than lots of glossy photos.

It has all the usual features of how to set up an aquarium and more importantly how to keep the aquarium healthy. If your tank is not healthy, i.e. good water chemistry, real plants if at all possible and a filter that is working efficiently, then in all probability you fish will not be healthy either. All the information you need to achieve this is right there in the book.

The book also gives you details of a good cross-section of fish, their shape, size, what they like to eat etc. and very importantly, whether they will get along with other fish in the confined space of your tank. Lots of fish will live quite happily together but many of them will not and the book helps you to decide the type of fish to keep together. Fish like humans get ill now and again but in the main they are quite healthy. The book covers most of the more common ailments of fish and what to do about them

This is one of the better books on fish-keeping and worth a place on the bookshelf of any tropical fish hobbyist.

great book!!!!, 27 Jun 2007
I got this when I got a new fish tank with a filter. This book is the best! I have used it quite a lot, even though I only have coldwater fish. It tells you about setting up the aquarium , different types of filters, water chemistry, it has a good list of tropical fish, it has a lot on fish behavior, diseases and such. I would highly recommend this book,

All you need to know about your fish tank, 25 Apr 2007
When I bought this book, we didnt have a fish tank, we were just thinking of getting one, and didnt want to go through the expense and disappointment of setting up the tank wrong and seeing all our fish die. How pleased I was I chose this particular book. Everything was simply but effectively described, from chosing a filter system, picking the correct substrate, to what to do if fish behaviour suddenly changes. Several sections are set out in a helpful "what if ?" way, for example, "what happens if my fish jumps?" and then the answer is discussed. Much empasis is placed throughout the book on keeping everything fish friendly so that the fish dont become stressed, or worse die. Both authors are very well qualified to write on the subject, and their experience shows. This book was perfect for an absolute beginner like me, and while there are few pictures, the book doesnt set itself out to be a "fish-picking" book, it is all about tank and fish care. There is an interesting section on the latin or scientific naming of fish, which I found particularly enlightening.

Overall I would say to any beginner that this book is a very good buy for the initial tank set up and any subsequent problems.

....Yawn!....., 11 Jul 2004
A very infomrative book and has a lot to teach, but it is written in a very dull, sleep provoking manner....if you stay awake long enough, you will learn loads! Virtually no pictures.

Informative introduction to approx 60 species, 05 Feb 2008
Yes this is a book for beginners- but an extremely useful one. However you do tend to go I WANT THAT FISH! and then notice that it grows to 18"/ 45cm (So that cute looking yellow horned cowfish will be out then!).

You get a species to a page. A nice picture of the fish. A globe to show you the rough distribution. There's a description of the fish and it's eventual size. There's also a panel of fishkeeping data which tells you:
The number per aquarium
The community it fits in
Its swimming zone
Food
Compatibility (whether it eats other tankmates)
Availability (including whether it's tank bred or live caught)
Captive breeding possibilities.

Frankly as the data is well laid out and succinctly informative I feel that this is a very good planning guide which could prevent costly mistakes in the brightly coloured world of marine fishkeeping.



A must for informaton on selecting marine fish., 07 Jul 2002
This book made an interesting and informative read. I do belive that it is more for the begginer, rathur than the experianced hobbiest.
It had colourful pictures and quick, easy to read and remember tips and facts for each of the species mentioned. The only fault I could find was the lack of information for when you wish to progres beond the 'begginer' stage.
However, It is a must for all new to keeping marine fish a it sticks to important information with no jargon!

Superb introduction to tropical fish-keeping, 28 Jun 2008
There are lots of books about setting up a tropical aquarium, but this is the best I've seen so far, by a long way. It is clear, superbly illustrated, and full of invaluable information.

It takes you day-by-day, then later week-by week, through the process of choosing and installing your aquarium, choosing and adding the fish, and ongoing maintenance. The first half of the book concentrates on choosing and setting up the tank, equipment, decor etc. There is a superb guide to aquarium plants, their various requirements, how big they grow, and how to care for them, with a separate plant index at the back. There is a useful and not too technical section about water chemistry - this can seem daunting to the beginner, but this book takes you through the basics gently, with useful illustrations and colour photographs, even showing you how to read the water test kits accurately. It's really important not to add fish too early to a new tank, and by following the timetable in this book, you can see there's plenty to do in those early days.

The second half of the book looks at the fish: starting with the hardiest fish suitable for your new tank, and moving onto the more exotic and delicate species. Most of the popular tropical species are described, with beautiful colour photos, and a summary of their requirements and problems to look out for. This is not as detailed as some books which focus on just the fish, but an excellent way to pick out your favourites for further research where necessary.

And it doesn't just abandon you once you've set up your tank and put in the fish. There are also some excellent sections on the maintenance of your aquarium, cleaning, pruning and transplanting plants, dealing with algae etc., again illustrated with helpful colour photos that actually show you the procedure described in the text. Things like cleaning the filter for the first time can be quite daunting for a beginner, but so much easier if you can see photos of what the various bits look like and check you're doing the right things, and the water really should look that colour, etc. Although the section on fish diseases is quite brief, there's a really useful illustration showing what the various symptoms look like - this poor fish (no, children, not a real one) with everything from mouth rot to whitespot - it's a really easy way to identify any problems for further investigation.

Finally, a general index followed by separate indexes for fish and plant species make it easy to find the information you need.

I would thoroughly recommend this book to anyone new to tropical fishkeeping, even if you've already gone out and bought your tank.

Very Informative and Well Laid Out, 01 Nov 2007

This book is not cheap, even at Amazon prices but it is worth the extra few pounds. The author has been involved in the writing or co-writing of a number of aquarium/tropical fish books and has certainly got the hang of how to go about producing a good book, covering all aspects of fish-keeping.

The book takes you step by step through the business of setting up an aquarium, something that you must know how to do correctly, because if you don't the results can be catastrophic. Most people when they get a tank, immediately want to see some fish in it. Disaster strikes and they give up the idea of keeping fish before they have even started.

This book tell you the correct way to set up the tank when to introduce the plant and more importantly when to put fish in. Without going into great detail here, a chemical process needs to take place before the water is fit to put fish in. Putting fish into water that five minutes ago was in the tap is a sure recipe for disaster. The book explains what needs to be done step by step.

Follow the instructions in the book and you will have a wonderful looking tank with beautiful, healthy fish, some of which are shown in the excellent photographs in the book. The old saying "it's easy when you know how" illustrates why you should buy this book and anyway watching the movements of brightly colored fish , that rapidly become tame enough show their hungry when you get the food out is much better than watching TV and more relaxing.

Good first read, 27 Apr 2005
Quite a good book for the beginner. I refer to it still after setting up my tank successfully and my fish are thriving. The book is quick and to the point giving you concise information for quick decision and reference. It is not an in-depth reference for all marine setups. The writer seems to know his stuff and tells you some things that other books and aquarists will tell you are wrong but i have had no probs. I have bought other books with a lot more information in but this is just as good for the beginner or if you want to know the pitfalls associated with keeping marine fish before spending all your money and finding out its not for you.

Lots of technical information, 03 Jun 2001
You can find lots of technical information. Anything by him is worth buying and reading -- although let me say that this little book is fantastic. I've recommended to several fish stores that they start including this work with their "starter" set ups. I learned alot and have set two tanks up with the directions. I have re-read a couple of times for info that I needed down the line and didn't understand at the time. Great book!

A Good Aid to Knowing Your Fish, 13 Oct 2007

Gina Sandford is a much respected and well published name in the field of Tropical Fishkeeping. She is the author opf a number of books on the subject and regularly has articles in the Practical Fishkeeping magazine and other magazines and periodicals on the subject.

She is well qualified to write on the subject and is particularly good at putting down the basics for the beginner, starting out with their first aquarium. Like any other pet, fish are reliant upon their owner for their welfare and good health, so it makes sense that the more you know about your fish the better qualified you will be to keep them happy.

It does not always follow that because a fish is small it will fit in well with other fish in a tank. Some of the most aggressive fish are small and can be very territorial. So unless you have a very large tank they will probably cause trouble. Getting a good balance of fish that will live with one another is where the book comes into its own and will help you to avoid making costly and sometimes fatal mistakes.

Excellent guide for the new fishkeeper, 29 Dec 2003
This is an excellent guide for the novice fishkeeper, it contains all the information that you will need to know about what type of fish to buy for the aquarium. It advises whether the fish are ideal for the novice or a more experienced keeper, what water type the fish prefers (acidic, neutral etc), the correct water temperature, the size the fish will grow to, the minimum number that you should purchase as not all fish will live in groups some are solitary whilst others will only live in shoals.

The book contains a basic guide to understanding your fish and how to take care of them to building a compatible aquarium. This book has been invaluable in deciding on which fish to purchase has I have learnt the hard way and lost a lot of expensive fish by buying fish that were for the more experienced keeper because they looked very nice, believe me its not worth it, follow the guidelines in the book. After reading through the book, choosing fish suitable for the novice, I know have a well stocked tank and all is going well.

A useful reference book, 29 Apr 2008
This book contains huge amounts of information about tropical fish, but is let down by its lack of an index. There is a wealth of detail about diseases and problems, and lots of practical advice about setting up and maintaining a healthy aquarium. The authors obviously feel strongly about the duty of owners to look after the welfare of fish, and are keen point out bad practices to be avoided. However, it's not an easy book to read, which is a shame, as there are lots of useful tips which could prevent problems.

I think the section on diseases and problems is one of the most useful in the book - if your fish has something wrong, being able to read through a chapter which answers questions like 'what if my fish has spots' does help to work out what might be the problem (though it's never going to be easy).

There are very few photos or illustrations, and there is not much information about the specific varieties or species of tropical fish. You browse along the tanks in the aquatics store, and like the look of something, but if you don't happen to know the Latin name of the family your chosen fish belong to, it is very difficult to find in the book. Even if you can find it, the information tends to be quite general and it often doesn't help you decide whether this is suitable for your particular set-up - you see a tetra you like, but the book gives general information about 'most' tetras, and doesn't tell you about this specific variety. Especially if you're coming to tropical fish as a beginner, I would recommend researching on the internet as well, and/or buying a separate illustrated guide such as one of Gina Sandford's books to find out about specific varieties of fish.

Fishlopaedia does live up to its sub-title 'A Complete Guide to Fish Care'. I found the tone of the writing a bit off-putting at times, as it tended to be rather lecturing and humourless, and I can't understand why it doesn't have an index, but on the whole I would recommend this as a useful reference book.

As Good as Any, 13 Dec 2007
This is a book for both beginners and also the more expert fish-keepers, from a lady who knows what she is talking about. It is well written and covers a broad spectrum of the fish that are generally available from tropical fish outlets. It has some good quality photographs but concentrates on information rather than lots of glossy photos.

It has all the usual features of how to set up an aquarium and more importantly how to keep the aquarium healthy. If your tank is not healthy, i.e. good water chemistry, real plants if at all possible and a filter that is working efficiently, then in all probability you fish will not be healthy either. All the information you need to achieve this is right there in the book.

The book also gives you details of a good cross-section of fish, their shape, size, what they like to eat etc. and very importantly, whether they will get along with other fish in the confined space of your tank. Lots of fish will live quite happily together but many of them will not and the book helps you to decide the type of fish to keep together. Fish like humans get ill now and again but in the main they are quite healthy. The book covers most of the more common ailments of fish and what to do about them

This is one of the better books on fish-keeping and worth a place on the bookshelf of any tropical fish hobbyist.

great book!!!!, 27 Jun 2007
I got this when I got a new fish tank with a filter. This book is the best! I have used it quite a lot, even though I only have coldwater fish. It tells you about setting up the aquarium , different types of filters, water chemistry, it has a good list of tropical fish, it has a lot on fish behavior, diseases and such. I would highly recommend this book,

All you need to know about your fish tank, 25 Apr 2007
When I bought this book, we didnt have a fish tank, we were just thinking of getting one, and didnt want to go through the expense and disappointment of setting up the tank wrong and seeing all our fish die. How pleased I was I chose this particular book. Everything was simply but effectively described, from chosing a filter system, picking the correct substrate, to what to do if fish behaviour suddenly changes. Several sections are set out in a helpful "what if ?" way, for example, "what happens if my fish jumps?" and then the answer is discussed. Much empasis is placed throughout the book on keeping everything fish friendly so that the fish dont become stressed, or worse die. Both authors are very well qualified to write on the subject, and their experience shows. This book was perfect for an absolute beginner like me, and while there are few pictures, the book doesnt set itself out to be a "fish-picking" book, it is all about tank and fish care. There is an interesting section on the latin or scientific naming of fish, which I found particularly enlightening.

Overall I would say to any beginner that this book is a very good buy for the initial tank set up and any subsequent problems.

....Yawn!....., 11 Jul 2004
A very infomrative book and has a lot to teach, but it is written in a very dull, sleep provoking manner....if you stay awake long enough, you will learn loads! Virtually no pictures.

Informative introduction to approx 60 species, 05 Feb 2008
Yes this is a book for beginners- but an extremely useful one. However you do tend to go I WANT THAT FISH! and then notice that it grows to 18"/ 45cm (So that cute looking yellow horned cowfish will be out then!).

You get a species to a page. A nice picture of the fish. A globe to show you the rough distribution. There's a description of the fish and it's eventual size. There's also a panel of fishkeeping data which tells you:
The number per aquarium
The community it fits in
Its swimming zone
Food
Compatibility (whether it eats other tankmates)
Availability (including whether it's tank bred or live caught)
Captive breeding possibilities.

Frankly as the data is well laid out and succinctly informative I feel that this is a very good planning guide which could prevent costly mistakes in the brightly coloured world of marine fishkeeping.



A must for informaton on selecting marine fish., 07 Jul 2002
This book made an interesting and informative read. I do belive that it is more for the begginer, rathur than the experianced hobbiest.
It had colourful pictures and quick, easy to read and remember tips and facts for each of the species mentioned. The only fault I could find was the lack of information for when you wish to progres beond the 'begginer' stage.
However, It is a must for all new to keeping marine fish a it sticks to important information with no jargon!

Superb introduction to tropical fish-keeping, 28 Jun 2008
There are lots of books about setting up a tropical aquarium, but this is the best I've seen so far, by a long way. It is clear, superbly illustrated, and full of invaluable information.

It takes you day-by-day, then later week-by week, through the process of choosing and installing your aquarium, choosing and adding the fish, and ongoing maintenance. The first half of the book concentrates on choosing and setting up the tank, equipment, decor etc. There is a superb guide to aquarium plants, their various requirements, how big they grow, and how to care for them, with a separate plant index at the back. There is a useful and not too technical section about water chemistry - this can seem daunting to the beginner, but this book takes you through the basics gently, with useful illustrations and colour photographs, even showing you how to read the water test kits accurately. It's really important not to add fish too early to a new tank, and by following the timetable in this book, you can see there's plenty to do in those early days.

The second half of the book looks at the fish: starting with the hardiest fish suitable for your new tank, and moving onto the more exotic and delicate species. Most of the popular tropical species are described, with beautiful colour photos, and a summary of their requirements and problems to look out for. This is not as detailed as some books which focus on just the fish, but an excellent way to pick out your favourites for further research where necessary.

And it doesn't just abandon you once you've set up your tank and put in the fish. There are also some excellent sections on the maintenance of your aquarium, cleaning, pruning and transplanting plants, dealing with algae etc., again illustrated with helpful colour photos that actually show you the procedure described in the text. Things like cleaning the filter for the first time can be quite daunting for a beginner, but so much easier if you can see photos of what the various bits look like and check you're doing the right things, and the water really should look that colour, etc. Although the section on fish diseases is quite brief, there's a really useful illustration showing what the various symptoms look like - this poor fish (no, children, not a real one) with everything from mouth rot to whitespot - it's a really easy way to identify any problems for further investigation.

Finally, a general index followed by separate indexes for fish and plant species make it easy to find the information you need.

I would thoroughly recommend this book to anyone new to tropical fishkeeping, even if you've already gone out and bought your tank.

Very Informative and Well Laid Out, 01 Nov 2007

This book is not cheap, even at Amazon prices but it is worth the extra few pounds. The author has been involved in the writing or co-writing of a number of aquarium/tropical fish books and has certainly got the hang of how to go about producing a good book, covering all aspects of fish-keeping.

The book takes you step by step through the business of setting up an aquarium, something that you must know how to do correctly, because if you don't the results can be catastrophic. Most people when they get a tank, immediately want to see some fish in it. Disaster strikes and they give up the idea of keeping fish before they have even started.

This book tell you the correct way to set up the tank when to introduce the plant and more importantly when to put fish in. Without going into great detail here, a chemical process needs to take place before the water is fit to put fish in. Putting fish into water that five minutes ago was in the tap is a sure recipe for disaster. The book explains what needs to be done step by step.

Follow the instructions in the book and you will have a wonderful looking tank with beautiful, healthy fish, some of which are shown in the excellent photographs in the book. The old saying "it's easy when you know how" illustrates why you should buy this book and anyway watching the movements of brightly colored fish , that rapidly become tame enough show their hungry when you get the food out is much better than watching TV and more relaxing.

Disappointing black & white photos, 27 Dec 2006
Whilst this book is undoubtedly useful to the beginner, which I was when I bought it, the fact that all the photos are in black & white is a major drawback.

Overall the book is easy to read and full of useful tips, although now i am more experiemced I would have to disagree with some of his advice. For example I think that a UV sterilizer is a must to prevent disease in the tank.

To accompany this book I thoroughly recommend you also buy a book called Marine Fishes by Scott W Michael. Illustrated in full colour, it covers over 500 species of fish and gives you lots of useful information to assist you in choosing the correct fish for your aquarium

Good book, 27 Apr 2005
Typical DUMMIES book. Well written, broken up into manageable sections. There are no colour pictures for you to look at but the book takes you from deciding what tank and equipment to buy through the setup and onto keeping and enjoying your aquarium. It is easy to read and refer back to in times of questions which will happen often from selecting which fish to buy to diseases. Good book to buy for a beginner

Good first read, 27 Apr 2005
Quite a good book for the beginner. I refer to it still after setting up my tank successfully and my fish are thriving. The book is quick and to the point giving you concise information for quick decision and reference. It is not an in-depth reference for all marine setups. The writer seems to know his stuff and tells you some things that other books and aquarists will tell you are wrong but i have had no probs. I have bought other books with a lot more information in but this is just as good for the beginner or if you want to know the pitfalls associated with keeping marine fish before spending all your money and finding out its not for you.

Lots of technical information, 03 Jun 2001
You can find lots of technical information. Anything by him is worth buying and reading -- although let me say that this little book is fantastic. I've recommended to several fish stores that they start including this work with their "starter" set ups. I learned alot and have set two tanks up with the directions. I have re-read a couple of times for info that I needed down the line and didn't understand at the time. Great book!

A Good Aid to Knowing Your Fish, 13 Oct 2007

Gina Sandford is a much respected and well published name in the field of Tropical Fishkeeping. She is the author opf a number of books on the subject and regularly has articles in the Practical Fishkeeping magazine and other magazines and periodicals on the subject.

She is well qualified to write on the subject and is particularly good at putting down the basics for the beginner, starting out with their first aquarium. Like any other pet, fish are reliant upon their owner for their welfare and good health, so it makes sense that the more you know about your fish the better qualified you will be to keep them happy.

It does not always follow that because a fish is small it will fit in well with other fish in a tank. Some of the most aggressive fish are small and can be very territorial. So unless you have a very large tank they will probably cause trouble. Getting a good balance of fish that will live with one another is where the book comes into its own and will help you to avoid making costly and sometimes fatal mistakes.

Excellent guide for the new fishkeeper, 29 Dec 2003
This is an excellent guide for the novice fishkeeper, it contains all the information that you will need to know about what type of fish to buy for the aquarium. It advises whether the fish are ideal for the novice or a more experienced keeper, what water type the fish prefers (acidic, neutral etc), the correct water temperature, the size the fish will grow to, the minimum number that you should purchase as not all fish will live in groups some are solitary whilst others will only live in shoals.

The book contains a basic guide to understanding your fish and how to take care of them to building a compatible aquarium. This book has been invaluable in deciding on which fish to purchase has I have learnt the hard way and lost a lot of expensive fish by buying fish that were for the more experienced keeper because they looked very nice, believe me its not worth it, follow the guidelines in the book. After reading through the book, choosing fish suitable for the novice, I know have a well stocked tank and all is going well.

A useful reference book, 29 Apr 2008
This book contains huge amounts of information about tropical fish, but is let down by its lack of an index. There is a wealth of detail about diseases and problems, and lots of practical advice about setting up and maintaining a healthy aquarium. The authors obviously feel strongly about the duty of owners to look after the welfare of fish, and are keen point out bad practices to be avoided. However, it's not an easy book to read, which is a shame, as there are lots of useful tips which could prevent problems.

I think the section on diseases and problems is one of the most useful in the book - if your fish has something wrong, being able to read through a chapter which answers questions like 'what if my fish has spots' does help to work out what might be the problem (though it's never going to be easy).

There are very few photos or illustrations, and there is not much information about the specific varieties or species of tropical fish. You browse along the tanks in the aquatics store, and like the look of something, but if you don't happen to know the Latin name of the family your chosen fish belong to, it is very difficult to find in the book. Even if you can find it, the information tends to be quite general and it often doesn't help you decide whether this is suitable for your particular set-up - you see a tetra you like, but the book gives general information about 'most' tetras, and doesn't tell you about this specific variety. Especially if you're coming to tropical fish as a beginner, I would recommend researching on the internet as well, and/or buying a separate illustrated guide such as one of Gina Sandford's books to find out about specific varieties of fish.

Fishlopaedia does live up to its sub-title 'A Complete Guide to Fish Care'. I found the tone of the writing a bit off-putting at times, as it tended to be rather lecturing and humourless, and I can't understand why it doesn't have an index, but on the whole I would recommend this as a useful reference book.

As Good as Any, 13 Dec 2007
This is a book for both beginners and also the more expert fish-keepers, from a lady who knows what she is talking about. It is well written and covers a broad spectrum of the fish that are generally available from tropical fish outlets. It has some good quality photographs but concentrates on information rather than lots of glossy photos.

It has all the usual features of how to set up an aquarium and more importantly how to keep the aquarium healthy. If your tank is not healthy, i.e. good water chemistry, real plants if at all possible and a filter that is working efficiently, then in all probability you fish will not be healthy either. All the information you need to achieve this is right there in the book.

The book also gives you details of a good cross-section of fish, their shape, size, what they like to eat etc. and very importantly, whether they will get along with other fish in the confined space of your tank. Lots of fish will live quite happily together but many of them will not and the book helps you to decide the type of fish to keep together. Fish like humans get ill now and again but in the main they are quite healthy. The book covers most of the more common ailments of fish and what to do about them

This is one of the better books on fish-keeping and worth a place on the bookshelf of any tropical fish hobbyist.

great book!!!!, 27 Jun 2007
I got this when I got a new fish tank with a filter. This book is the best! I have used it quite a lot, even though I only have coldwater fish. It tells you about setting up the aquarium , different types of filters, water chemistry, it has a good list of tropical fish, it has a lot on fish behavior, diseases and such. I would highly recommend this book,

All you need to know about your fish tank, 25 Apr 2007
When I bought this book, we didnt have a fish tank, we were just thinking of getting one, and didnt want to go through the expense and disappointment of setting up the tank wrong and seeing all our fish die. How pleased I was I chose this particular book. Everything was simply but effectively described, from chosing a filter system, picking the correct substrate, to what to do if fish behaviour suddenly changes. Several sections are set out in a helpful "what if ?" way, for example, "what happens if my fish jumps?" and then the answer is discussed. Much empasis is placed throughout the book on keeping everything fish friendly so that the fish dont become stressed, or worse die. Both authors are very well qualified to write on the subject, and their experience shows. This book was perfect for an absolute beginner like me, and while there are few pictures, the book doesnt set itself out to be a "fish-picking" book, it is all about tank and fish care. There is an interesting section on the latin or scientific naming of fish, which I found particularly enlightening.

Overall I would say to any beginner that this book is a very good buy for the initial tank set up and any subsequent problems.

....Yawn!....., 11 Jul 2004
A very infomrative book and has a lot to teach, but it is written in a very dull, sleep provoking manner....if you stay awake long enough, you will learn loads! Virtually no pictures.

Informative introduction to approx 60 species, 05 Feb 2008
Yes this is a book for beginners- but an extremely useful one. However you do tend to go I WANT THAT FISH! and then notice that it grows to 18"/ 45cm (So that cute looking yellow horned cowfish will be out then!).

You get a species to a page. A nice picture of the fish. A globe to show you the rough distribution. There's a description of the fish and it's eventual size. There's also a panel of fishkeeping data which tells you:
The number per aquarium
The community it fits in
Its swimming zone
Food
Compatibility (whether it eats other tankmates)
Availability (including whether it's tank bred or live caught)
Captive breeding possibilities.

Frankly as the data is well laid out and succinctly informative I feel that this is a very good planning guide which could prevent costly mistakes in the brightly coloured world of marine fishkeeping.



A must for informaton on selecting marine fish., 07 Jul 2002
This book made an interesting and informative read. I do belive that it is more for the begginer, rathur than the experianced hobbiest.
It had colourful pictures and quick, easy to read and remember tips and facts for each of the species mentioned. The only fault I could find was the lack of information for when you wish to progres beond the 'begginer' stage.
However, It is a must for all new to keeping marine fish a it sticks to important information with no jargon!

Superb introduction to tropical fish-keeping, 28 Jun 2008
There are lots of books about setting up a tropical aquarium, but this is the best I've seen so far, by a long way. It is clear, superbly illustrated, and full of invaluable information.

It takes you day-by-day, then later week-by week, through the process of choosing and installing your aquarium, choosing and adding the fish, and ongoing maintenance. The first half of the book concentrates on choosing and setting up the tank, equipment, decor etc. There is a superb guide to aquarium plants, their various requirements, how big they grow, and how to care for them, with a separate plant index at the back. There is a useful and not too technical section about water chemistry - this can seem daunting to the beginner, but this book takes you through the basics gently, with useful illustrations and colour photographs, even showing you how to read the water test kits accurately. It's really important not to add fish too early to a new tank, and by following the timetable in this book, you can see there's plenty to do in those early days.

The second half of the book looks at the fish: starting with the hardiest fish suitable for your new tank, and moving onto the more exotic and delicate species. Most of the popular tropical species are described, with beautiful colour photos, and a summary of their requirements and problems to look out for. This is not as detailed as some books which focus on just the fish, but an excellent way to pick out your favourites for further research where necessary.

And it doesn't just abandon you once you've set up your tank and put in the fish. There are also some excellent sections on the maintenance of your aquarium, cleaning, pruning and transplanting plants, dealing with algae etc., again illustrated with helpful colour photos that actually show you the procedure described in the text. Things like cleaning the filter for the first time can be quite daunting for a beginner, but so much easier if you can see photos of what the various bits look like and check you're doing the right things, and the water really should look that colour, etc. Although the section on fish diseases is quite brief, there's a really useful illustration showing what the various symptoms look like - this poor fish (no, children, not a real one) with everything from mouth rot to whitespot - it's a really easy way to identify any problems for further investigation.

Finally, a general index followed by separate indexes for fish and plant species make it easy to find the information you need.

I would thoroughly recommend this book to anyone new to tropical fishkeeping, even if you've already gone out and bought your tank.

Very Informative and Well Laid Out, 01 Nov 2007

This book is not cheap, even at Amazon prices but it is worth the extra few pounds. The author has been involved in the writing or co-writing of a number of aquarium/tropical fish books and has certainly got the hang of how to go about producing a good book, covering all aspects of fish-keeping.

The book takes you step by step through the business of setting up an aquarium, something that you must know how to do correctly, because if you don't the results can be catastrophic. Most people when they get a tank, immediately want to see some fish in it. Disaster strikes and they give up the idea of keeping fish before they have even started.

This book tell you the correct way to set up the tank when to introduce the plant and more importantly when to put fish in. Without going into great detail here, a chemical process needs to take place before the water is fit to put fish in. Putting fish into water that five minutes ago was in the tap is a sure recipe for disaster. The book explains what needs to be done step by step.

Follow the instructions in the book and you will have a wonderful looking tank with beautiful, healthy fish, some of which are shown in the excellent photographs in the book. The old saying "it's easy when you know how" illustrates why you should buy this book and anyway watching the movements of brightly colored fish , that rapidly become tame enough show their hungry when you get the food out is much better than watching TV and more relaxing.

Disappointing black & white photos, 27 Dec 2006
Whilst this book is undoubtedly useful to the beginner, which I was when I bought it, the fact that all the photos are in black & white is a major drawback.

Overall the book is easy to read and full of useful tips, although now i am more experiemced I would have to disagree with some of his advice. For example I think that a UV sterilizer is a must to prevent disease in the tank.

To accompany this book I thoroughly recommend you also buy a book called Marine Fishes by Scott W Michael. Illustrated in full colour, it covers over 500 species of fish and gives you lots of useful information to assist you in choosing the correct fish for your aquarium

Good book, 27 Apr 2005
Typical DUMMIES book. Well written, broken up into manageable sections. There are no colour pictures for you to look at but the book takes you from deciding what tank and equipment to buy through the setup and onto keeping and enjoying your aquarium. It is easy to read and refer back to in times of questions which will happen often from selecting which fish to buy to diseases. Good book to buy for a beginner

Excellent for a beginner!, 01 Mar 2008
I have just read this cover to cover and it's a great little book covering all the main points. Not sure what I can say that hasn't already been said! Very highly recommended if you are new to tropical fishkeeping. Very well written and clear. An essential resource.

Better than the Average Book on the Subject, 06 Nov 2007
Anna Robinson was so interested in tropical fishkeeping that she decided to make it her career and has worked in the aquarium industry from the age of seventeen. During that time she has fielded many questions from the public regarding all aspects of fishkeeping.

Any fish-keeping book that carries the stamp of approval from Dr. Peter Burgess, a well known international consultant has got to be a good buy and this one certainly is that. There are lots of starter books about that tell you how to set up your aquarium and by and large they are all reasonably good.

This one just seems to go that extra mile for me and has for me anyway, all the answers to questions that a beginner in the hobby might ask, even down to where to actually place the aquarium. Too close to a window means that you may get unwanted algae from too much sunlight, too near the entrance to a room means the fish may be frightened by people passing by the tank, or perhaps cold draughts will enter the tank. One of the most important details, filtration is covered in depth, biological breakdown and new tank syndrome, it is all in the book

Just about every conceivable question that may be asked by the beginner is covered and many other useful tips and ideas are included and last but not least the fish and joking apart that is where they should come, last. The book will tell you when to introduce your fish and which species go well together. Like human beings not all fish get along together and to avoid squabbles and sometimes worse you need to know all about the individual species.

Keeping tropical fish is not difficult, if you follow some basic rules and remember, they are living creatures and depend upon you for their welfare. Have fun.

Good first read, 27 Apr 2005
Quite a good book for the beginner. I refer to it still after setting up my tank successfully and my fish are thriving. The book is quick and to the point giving you concise information for quick decision and reference. It is not an in-depth reference for all marine setups. The writer seems to know his stuff and tells you some things that other books and aquarists will tell you are wrong but i have had no probs. I have bought other books with a lot more information in but this is just as good for the beginner or if you want to know the pitfalls associated with keeping marine fish before spending all your money and finding out its not for you.

Lots of technical information, 03 Jun 2001
You can find lots of technical information. Anything by him is worth buying and reading -- although let me say that this little book is fantastic. I've recommended to several fish stores that they start including this work with their "starter" set ups. I learned alot and have set two tanks up with the directions. I have re-read a couple of times for info that I needed down the line and didn't understand at the time. Great book!

A Good Aid to Knowing Your Fish, 13 Oct 2007

Gina Sandford is a much respected and well published name in the field of Tropical Fishkeeping. She is the author opf a number of books on the subject and regularly has articles in the Practical Fishkeeping magazine and other magazines and periodicals on the subject.

She is well qualified to write on the subject and is particularly good at putting down the basics for the beginner, starting out with their first aquarium. Like any other pet, fish are reliant upon their owner for their welfare and good health, so it makes sense that the more you know about your fish the better qualified you will be to keep them happy.

It does not always follow that because a fish is small it will fit in well with other fish in a tank. Some of the most aggressive fish are small and can be very territorial. So unless you have a very large tank they will probably cause trouble. Getting a good balance of fish that will live with one another is where the book comes into its own and will help you to avoid making costly and sometimes fatal mistakes.

Excellent guide for the new fishkeeper, 29 Dec 2003
This is an excellent guide for the novice fishkeeper, it contains all the information that you will need to know about what type of fish to buy for the aquarium. It advises whether the fish are ideal for the novice or a more experienced keeper, what water type the fish prefers (acidic, neutral etc), the correct water temperature, the size the fish will grow to, the minimum number that you should purchase as not all fish will live in groups some are solitary whilst others will only live in shoals.

The book contains a basic guide to understanding your fish and how to take care of them to building a compatible aquarium. This book has been invaluable in deciding on which fish to purchase has I have learnt the hard way and lost a lot of expensive fish by buying fish that were for the more experienced keeper because they looked very nice, believe me its not worth it, follow the guidelines in the book. After reading through the book, choosing fish suitable for the novice, I know have a well stocked tank and all is going well.

A useful reference book, 29 Apr 2008
This book contains huge amounts of information about tropical fish, but is let down by its lack of an index. There is a wealth of detail about diseases and problems, and lots of practical advice about setting up and maintaining a healthy aquarium. The authors obviously feel strongly about the duty of owners to look after the welfare of fish, and are keen point out bad practices to be avoided. However, it's not an easy book to read, which is a shame, as there are lots of useful tips which could prevent problems.

I think the section on diseases and problems is one of the most useful in the book - if your fish has something wrong, being able to read through a chapter which answers questions like 'what if my fish has spots' does help to work out what might be the problem (though it's never going to be easy).

There are very few photos or illustrations, and there is not much information about the specific varieties or species of tropical fish. You browse along the tanks in the aquatics store, and like the look of something, but if you don't happen to know the Latin name of the family your chosen fish belong to, it is very difficult to find in the book. Even if you can find it, the information tends to be quite general and it often doesn't help you decide whether this is suitable for your particular set-up - you see a tetra you like, but the book gives general information about 'most' tetras, and doesn't tell you about this specific variety. Especially if you're coming to tropical fish as a beginner, I would recommend researching on the internet as well, and/or buying a separate illustrated guide such as one of Gina Sandford's books to find out about specific varieties of fish.

Fishlopaedia does live up to its sub-title 'A Complete Guide to Fish Care'. I found the tone of the writing a bit off-putting at times, as it tended to be rather lecturing and humourless, and I can't understand why it doesn't have an index, but on the whole I would recommend this as a useful reference book.

As Good as Any, 13 Dec 2007
This is a book for both beginners and also the more expert fish-keepers, from a lady who knows what she is talking about. It is well written and covers a broad spectrum of the fish that are generally available from tropical fish outlets. It has some good quality photographs but concentrates on information rather than lots of glossy photos.

It has all the usual features of how to set up an aquarium and more importantly how to keep the aquarium healthy. If your tank is not healthy, i.e. good water chemistry, real plants if at all possible and a filter that is working efficiently, then in all probability you fish will not be healthy either. All the information you need to achieve this is right there in the book.

The book also gives you details of a good cross-section of fish, their shape, size, what they like to eat etc. and very importantly, whether they will get along with other fish in the confined space of your tank. Lots of fish will live quite happily together but many of them will not and the book helps you to decide the type of fish to keep together. Fish like humans get ill now and again but in the main they are quite healthy. The book covers most of the more common ailments of fish and what to do about them

This is one of the better books on fish-keeping and worth a place on the bookshelf of any tropical fish hobbyist.

great book!!!!, 27 Jun 2007
I got this when I got a new fish tank with a filter. This book is the best! I have used it quite a lot, even though I only have coldwater fish. It tells you about setting up the aquarium , different types of filters, water chemistry, it has a good list of tropical fish, it has a lot on fish behavior, diseases and such. I would highly recommend this book,

All you need to know about your fish tank, 25 Apr 2007
When I bought this book, we didnt have a fish tank, we were just thinking of getting one, and didnt want to go through the expense and disappointment of setting up the tank wrong and seeing all our fish die. How pleased I was I chose this particular book. Everything was simply but effectively described, from chosing a filter system, picking the correct substrate, to what to do if fish behaviour suddenly changes. Several sections are set out in a helpful "what if ?" way, for example, "what happens if my fish jumps?" and then the answer is discussed. Much empasis is placed throughout the book on keeping everything fish friendly so that the fish dont become stressed, or worse die. Both authors are very well qualified to write on the subject, and their experience shows. This book was perfect for an absolute beginner like me, and while there are few pictures, the book doesnt set itself out to be a "fish-picking" book, it is all about tank and fish care. There is an interesting section on the latin or scientific naming of fish, which I found particularly enlightening.

Overall I would say to any beginner that this book is a very good buy for the initial tank set up and any subsequent problems.

....Yawn!....., 11 Jul 2004
A very infomrative book and has a lot to teach, but it is written in a very dull, sleep provoking manner....if you stay awake long enough, you will learn loads! Virtually no pictures.

Informative introduction to approx 60 species, 05 Feb 2008
Yes this is a book for beginners- but an extremely useful one. However you do tend to go I WANT THAT FISH! and then notice that it grows to 18"/ 45cm (So that cute looking yellow horned cowfish will be out then!).

You get a species to a page. A nice picture of the fish. A globe to show you the rough distribution. There's a description of the fish and it's eventual size. There's also a panel of fishkeeping data which tells you:
The number per aquarium
The community it fits in
Its swimming zone
Food
Compatibility (whether it eats other tankmates)
Availability (including whether it's tank bred or live caught)
Captive breeding possibilities.

Frankly as the data is well laid out and succinctly informative I feel that this is a very good planning guide which could prevent costly mistakes in the brightly coloured world of marine fishkeeping.



A must for informaton on selecting marine fish., 07 Jul 2002
This book made an interesting and informative read. I do belive that it is more for the begginer, rathur than the experianced hobbiest.
It had colourful pictures and quick, easy to read and remember tips and facts for each of the species mentioned. The only fault I could find was the lack of information for when you wish to progres beond the 'begginer' stage.
However, It is a must for all new to keeping marine fish a it sticks to important information with no jargon!

Superb introduction to tropical fish-keeping, 28 Jun 2008
There are lots of books about setting up a tropical aquarium, but this is the best I've seen so far, by a long way. It is clear, superbly illustrated, and full of invaluable information.

It takes you day-by-day, then later week-by week, through the process of choosing and installing your aquarium, choosing and adding the fish, and ongoing maintenance. The first half of the book concentrates on choosing and setting up the tank, equipment, decor etc. There is a superb guide to aquarium plants, their various requirements, how big they grow, and how to care for them, with a separate plant index at the back. There is a useful and not too technical section about water chemistry - this can seem daunting to the beginner, but this book takes you through the basics gently, with useful illustrations and colour photographs, even showing you how to read the water test kits accurately. It's really important not to add fish too early to a new tank, and by following the timetable in this book, you can see there's plenty to do in those early days.

The second half of the book looks at the fish: starting with the hardiest fish suitable for your new tank, and moving onto the more exotic and delicate species. Most of the popular tropical species are described, with beautiful colour photos, and a summary of their requirements and problems to look out for. This is not as detailed as some books which focus on just the fish, but an excellent way to pick out your favourites for further research where necessary.

And it doesn't just abandon you once you've set up your tank and put in the fish. There are also some excellent sections on the maintenance of your aquarium, cleaning, pruning and transplanting plants, dealing with algae etc., again illustrated with helpful colour photos that actually show you the procedure described in the text. Things like cleaning the filter for the first time can be quite daunting for a beginner, but so much easier if you can see photos of what the various bits look like and check you're doing the right things, and the water really should look that colour, etc. Although the section on fish diseases is quite brief, there's a really useful illustration showing what the various symptoms look like - this poor fish (no, children, not a real one) with everything from mouth rot to whitespot - it's a really easy way to identify any problems for further investigation.

Finally, a general index followed by separate indexes for fish and plant species make it easy to find the information you need.

I would thoroughly recommend this book to anyone new to tropical fishkeeping, even if you've already gone out and bought your tank.

Very Informative and Well Laid Out, 01 Nov 2007

This book is not cheap, even at Amazon prices but it is worth the extra few pounds. The author has been involved in the writing or co-writing of a number of aquarium/tropical fish books and has certainly got the hang of how to go about producing a good book, covering all aspects of fish-keeping.

The book takes you step by step through the business of setting up an aquarium, something that you must know how to do correctly, because if you don't the results can be catastrophic. Most people when they get a tank, immediately want to see some fish in it. Disaster strikes and they give up the idea of keeping fish before they have even started.

This book tell you the correct way to set up the tank when to introduce the plant and more importantly when to put fish in. Without going into great detail here, a chemical process needs to take place before the water is fit to put fish in. Putting fish into water that five minutes ago was in the tap is a sure recipe for disaster. The book explains what needs to be done step by step.

Follow the instructions in the book and you will have a wonderful looking tank with beautiful, healthy fish, some of which are shown in the excellent photographs in the book. The old saying "it's easy when you know how" illustrates why you should buy this book and anyway watching the movements of brightly colored fish , that rapidly become tame enough show their hungry when you get the food out is much better than watching TV and more relaxing.

Disappointing black & white photos, 27 Dec 2006
Whilst this book is undoubtedly useful to the beginner, which I was when I bought it, the fact that all the photos are in black & white is a major drawback.

Overall the book is easy to read and full of useful tips, although now i am more experiemced I would have to disagree with some of his advice. For example I think that a UV sterilizer is a must to prevent disease in the tank.

To accompany this book I thoroughly recommend you also buy a book called Marine Fishes by Scott W Michael. Illustrated in full colour, it covers over 500 species of fish and gives you lots of useful information to assist you in choosing the correct fish for your aquarium

Good book, 27 Apr 2005
Typical DUMMIES book. Well written, broken up into manageable sections. There are no colour pictures for you to look at but the book takes you from deciding what tank and equipment to buy through the setup and onto keeping and enjoying your aquarium. It is easy to read and refer back to in times of questions which will happen often from selecting which fish to buy to diseases. Good book to buy for a beginner

Excellent for a beginner!, 01 Mar 2008
I have just read this cover to cover and it's a great little book covering all the main points. Not sure what I can say that hasn't already been said! Very highly recommended if you are new to tropical fishkeeping. Very well written and clear. An essential resource.

Better than the Average Book on the Subject, 06 Nov 2007
Anna Robinson was so interested in tropical fishkeeping that she decided to make it her career and has worked in the aquarium industry from the age of seventeen. During that time she has fielded many questions from the public regarding all aspects of fishkeeping.

Any fish-keeping book that carries the stamp of approval from Dr. Peter Burgess, a well known international consultant has got to be a good buy and this one certainly is that. There are lots of starter books about that tell you how to set up your aquarium and by and large they are all reasonably good.

This one just seems to go that extra mile for me and has for me anyway, all the answers to questions that a beginner in the hobby might ask, even down to where to actually place the aquarium. Too close to a window means that you may get unwanted algae from too much sunlight, too near the entrance to a room means the fish may be frightened by people passing by the tank, or perhaps cold draughts will enter the tank. One of the most important details, filtration is covered in depth, biological breakdown and new tank syndrome, it is all in the book

Just about every conceivable question that may be asked by the beginner is covered and many other useful tips and ideas are included and last but not least the fish and joking apart that is where they should come, last. The book will tell you when to introduce your fish and which species go well together. Like human beings not all fish get along together and to avoid squabbles and sometimes worse you need to know all about the individual species.

Keeping tropical fish is not difficult, if you follow some basic rules and remember, they are living creatures and depend upon you for their welfare. Have fun.

All in all not bad...., 17 Dec 2008
Bought this book as I decided to delve into the weird and wonderful world of tropical fish and all the information I kept getting from the local aquatic centres seemed to be confusing and contradictory.

For a beginner, its not a bad book at all. There is free information