The Aquarium Fish Handbook

This text presents a practical guide to setting up an aquarium (both freshwater and marine) in the reader's own home. It covers all aspects, from choosing, stocking and maintaining the aquarium, to fish care, health, nutrition and breeding. The book uses pictures supported by fact/interest panels and a running text which uses the analogy of an imaginary river which encompasses all the different habitats and evironments various fish species require - this is continually compared to the artificial environment of the home aquarium. The chapters focus on information such as: the geography of the river and its various stages, its fish and vegetation; geology, water chemistry, filtration, temperature and lighting; the basics of planning an aquarium, such as siting and equipment; setting up an aquarium; maintaining the aquarium, feeding and caring for the fish, diseases and remedies; basic principles of breeding and rearing; a basic directory of major fish groups; and information of biotope aquariums - looking at very specific environments required by different fish species. The text aims to be of interest to both beginners keen to set up their first aquarium, and more advanced aquarists who are interested in more complicated fishkeeping.