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.

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.

A detailed and comprehensive guide. Freshwater and saltwater fishkeeping are challenging and tremendously rewarding hobbies. Aquariums is a big book that covers every aspect a fishkeeper needs to know. Step-by-step technical instructions are illustrated with hundreds of color diagrams as well as hundreds of color photographs of fish in their natural habitats. The book features: Choosing equipment Preparing the water and setting up the aquarium Saltwater and freshwater requirements Types of fish and their families Freshwater fish directory Saltwater fish directory Fish reproduction Plants for the aquarium Balance is the key to the successful aquarium, and Aquariums suggests fish mixes in combination with appropriate plants. Quite often, an aquarium will be thrown out of balance with the introduction of improperly prepared rocks and wood decorations. Simple instructions are offered for the preparation of such decorative objects for the aquarium. Packed with practical advice and useful tips, Aquariums shows how to set up a fish tank of stunning beauty.

A comprehensive guide to setting up and maintaining a freshwater aquarium at home, including a listing of species, fish biology breeding and conservation, all about aquariums, fish nutrition and health, plants and more.

Quick and easy guide on how to create your own underwater world.

First published in 2001, The Simple Guide to Freshwater Aquariums has become the bestselling reference in its category, offering an easy-to-understand look at setting up and maintaining a successful first freshwater aquarium. Now in a completely revised second edition, The Simple Guide to Freshwater Aquariums offers comprehensive and authoritative information that will guide new hobbyists to guaranteed success. Written by a renowned aquarium hobby expert, this indispensable guide contains many ideas for tank setups and stocking schemes—with brand new text that makes the subject material even easier to access and understand for the beginner hobbyist. An all-new preface reflects changes in the hobby since the first edition, while two brand new chapters discuss the benefits of routine large water changes as well as what to expect when progressing further into aquarium keeping. The book also adds mention of all new species that are especially recommended for beginners, plus over 150 full-color photos, captions,

A comprehensive guide to setting up & maintaining a freshwater aquarium.