The essential practical guide to choosing and caring for all types of aquarium fish bull; Expert advice on how to select the most suitable fish, accessories and plants bull; Detailed descriptions of over 180 fish, illustrated with full-colour photographs bull; Includes everything you need to know about maintaining a home aquarium
For beginning aquatic fancier looking to start out right with fish, Freshwater Aquariums by David Alderton is the ideal primer. A vertebrate that breathe primarily by means of gills and swim by means of fins is the author’s lead-in to the first chapter called “What are Fish?” Alderton builds the reader’s confidence by providing solid information about what fish are anatomically speaking, how they evolved, how they breathe, how they move, where they live, and how they behave. The new fancier’s aquarium begins in chapter two with instructions on setting up the tank, including selecting the right size, figuring out how many fish, setting the tank, equipment, substrate, heating, lighting, filtrations, plants, water chemistry, assembly, and more. Choosing the freshwater fishes that appeal to the reader is the subject of “Introducing the Categories of Fish,” which schools readers in seven categories: Cyprinids (e.g., goldfish, minnows, and barbs), Characins (e.g., tetras), Cichlids (e.g., oscars, angelfish, and discus), Anabantoids (gouramis, bettas/Siamese fighting fish, and paradise fish), Toothcarps (guppies, swordtails, platies, black mollies, and killifish), Catfish, and others (loaches and Chinese algae eaters). The purchasing, maintenance, and feeding of fish are described in considerable details, and the author gives a basic overview of breeding and keeping fish healthy as well. Resources, glossary, and index conclude the book.
An expert answers aquarium owners' questions about selecting and maintaining water plants for the aquarium. Readers learn how plants and fish interact, and how to sustain the correct water temperature and chemical balance. Filled with full-color photos and drawings.
(back cover) Information and advice to help you maintain a flourishing and attractive aquarium Equipment you'll need: tank, lighting, filter, air pump, substrate, and more Expert advice: maintaining a healthful environment for your fish and plants Populating your tank: selecting interesting, colorful, and compatible fish Step-by-step directions for everyday care Informative and attractive tables and sidebars Filled with handsome full-color photos (picture caption) Your aquarium can be as colorful as this one!
Books in Barron's Complete Pet Owner's Manuals series present basic information about a wide variety of pets for new or soon-to-be pet owners. Advice and instruction covers proper feeding, housing, health care, training, grooming, protection against hazards, and much more. Texts emphasize basics and are easy for all readers to understand, but most titles in this series also present facts that even experienced pet owners and breeders haven't encountered before. Each manual in this extensive series has been individually written by an expert -- many of them professional breeders or veterinarians. Not one of Barron's Complete Pet Owner's Manuals is a "clone" derived from some common catch-all book. The number of pages per book varies, since information about some animals involves many more details than others. All books in this series are filled with full-color photos of the highest quality and with instructive line drawings.
Here are step-by-step instructions for creating and maintaining an interesting and variety-filled home aquarium. You get facts on the equipment you'll need plus ideas for populating your tank with different varieties of fish and plants. Books in the Complete Pet Owner's Manuals series present basic information about pets for new or soon-to-be owners, as well as detailed information for aquarium enthusiasts and other animal hobbyists. Advice and instruction covers purchase, equipment, general care and maintenance, and much more. Texts emphasize the basics and are easy for all readers to understand, but most titles in this series also present facts that even experienced owners and hobbyists will find new and useful. All books in this series are filled with high quality full-color photos and instructive line drawings.
(back cover) Information and advice to help you maintain an optimal environment for marine life . . . Your marine aquarium: correct water chemistry, temperature, and more Expert advice: all important aspects of saltwater aquarium maintenance explained Appreciating marine life: populating your tank with fish, shellfish, corals, and more Step-by-step directions for daily care Informative checklists and sidebars Filled with handsome full-color photos (picture caption) Setting up a marine aquarium is a challenging task, but the rewards will justify your efforts.