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.

Volumes in this brand new series present aquarium enthusiasts with virtually all the facts they need to create beautiful and healthful environments for fish and other aquatic life. Dazzling color photographs with detailed, informative captions and step-by-step instructions will quickly turn beginners into capable aquarium hobbyists, while providing advice and ideas that will inspire experienced fish keepers to add variety and interest to their tanks and ponds. Handsomely laid-out pages present essential information at a glance. This volume tells how to choose a suitable tank, select gravel and other substrates, select plants, manage water filtration and aeration, introduce fish into the tank, and maintain correct lighting and heating. Explanations are easy to follow for beginning hobbyists. More than 200 stunning color photos.

This book shows you step-by-step and fish-by-fish how to create a beautiful, harmonious aquarium that mimics a natural habitat and fosters healthy fish and plant life. It includes more than eighty detailed recipes for aquariums of different types and sizes, specific aquarium model designs, the basics of aquarium setup and maintenance, and a 16-page color catalog of fish and plant varieties.

A highly practical guide packed with easy pictorial stages

Marine aquariums is a fast-growing hobby, and with today's technology, creating a thriving marine or reef aquarium is easier than ever. In Complete Book of the Freshwater Aquarium, hundreds of dramatic underwater photographs provide a fish's-eye view of 700 species of sea creatures while accessible scientific text explains the reef's fragile ecosystem. Written by an expert aquarist and diving enthusiast, this book also features a comprehensive guide to creating a home aquarium, from setting up the environment to selecting equipment, fish and invertebrates. Diving into this book will thrill both the advanced aquarist and the novice.

This comprehensive book shows you clearly and simply how to set up a stunning tropical freshwater aquarium on a week-by-week basis, including when to put in your first fish and how to grow aquarium plants to perfection. Crucially, the book explains how to continue caring for yournew aquarium long after the system is up and running.

Setting up and maintaining an aquarium comes with its challenges, however. Creating the right environment for your fish allows all of the life in your tank to flourish. This guide will help you assemble your very own underwater world, to admire, and give your fish the best life.