Book suggestions? Catfish/ freshwater trops

[wrasse]

I was wondering who's reading what? Can you give some recommendations? One that's bang up-to-date and has great photos, etc. Was looking at the books on PC.
I haven't treated myself to a fish book for ages.
I'll purchase via PC if possible.

(The last book I bought was 'Breeding Corydoradine Catfishes.' No103, signed by Ian)

[L number Banana]

Hi wrasse,

I've just recently given someone a copy of "The Biotope Aquarium" by Rainer Stawikowski and they love it. I don't know if there's anything in there that would suit your level of fishkeeping or if it's more for someone just learning about biotopes etc. Hardcover, tons of glossy gorgeous pics, 201 pages. Around $20 CDN because the profits go to conservation.

Chapter headings -Clear-water Rivers of the Central American Landbridge
-Belly-Sliders and Bottoms Hoppers: Fish from River Rapids
-River Bank with Fallen Foliage
-A Lot of Wood, Catfish aquarium!!
-Overgrown Bank
-Rocky Shore or Beach Zone: Careful Fish Among Large Stones
-Rubble or Scree Zone in Lake Tanganyika
-Underwater Deserts: Life in the Sand

Covers a lot of ground, the fish, plants, temps, flow, rock or substrate types etc
Makes me want to have eight tanks

[Richard B]

If it's your thing, then an absolute must is "the catfishes of Africa" By Dr Lothar Seegers.

I am very much re-visiting "Catfishes of the World" vols 1-5 by David Sands - it demonstrates how much the hobby has moved forward in 25 years but still has some sensational photos & species for debate.

I've just got "the Times concise atlas of the world" which is interesting & am looking at Clive Nichols "New Shoots" which is geared towards flora photography

[MatsP]

If you are into Loricariidae, then Mergus Catfish Atlas Vol 1. by Seidel and Evers, and when it comes out, I'll get the Vol 2 too.

--
Mats

[wrasse]

Thx for those, guys. Biotopes always make sense to me so that sounds good.

If I had a spare tank I'd set up a 'congo river' with 6-8 Syno flavitaeniatus and african red-eye tetras (an often overlooked fish, I reckon). It has to wait for the moment, but I like riverine synos and want some.....

And yep, I'll ALWAYS be into Loricaria.

[Shane]

If it's your thing, then an absolute must is "the catfishes of Africa" By Dr Lothar Seegers.

This was the favorite Christmas present I received this year from my wife. I can't put the book down.
-Shane

[Martin S]

Hi wrasse,

I've just recently given someone a copy of "The Biotope Aquarium" by Rainer Stawikowski and they love it. I don't know if there's anything in there that would suit your level of fishkeeping or if it's more for someone just learning about biotopes etc. Hardcover, tons of glossy gorgeous pics, 201 pages. Around $20 CDN because the profits go to conservation.

Chapter headings -Clear-water Rivers of the Central American Landbridge
-Belly-Sliders and Bottoms Hoppers: Fish from River Rapids
-River Bank with Fallen Foliage
-A Lot of Wood, Catfish aquarium!!
-Overgrown Bank
-Rocky Shore or Beach Zone: Careful Fish Among Large Stones
-Rubble or Scree Zone in Lake Tanganyika
-Underwater Deserts: Life in the Sand

Covers a lot of ground, the fish, plants, temps, flow, rock or substrate types etc
Makes me want to have eight tanks

I so liked the sound of this, so I went on to Amazon and ordered a copy for myself, though managed to pick up a s/h copy for the bargain price of £1.88 plus postage
I look forward to it arriving and having a good read through - thanks for the suggestion Tana
Martin

[racoll]

This was the favorite Christmas present I received this year from my wife. I can't put the book down.

I got it for Christmas too, and have also been avidly reading it.

The coverage, images, and research on the distributions and taxonomy is fantastic, but I had a few grievances...

1. The presentation I don't think was great - lots of pixelated images and poorly typeset - it just looked a bit amateurish to me.

2. The descriptions (not in the new species sense) I felt were too, well, descriptive. They should have been more discriminatory with regard to similar species, by presenting key diagnostic characters.

P.S. if any mods think that discussion of this book is best done in an old thread, or in a brand new one, don't hesitate to move this post.

[Birger]

Shane wrote:This was the favorite Christmas present I received this year from my wife. I can't put the book down.



I got it for Christmas too, and have also been avidly reading it.

The coverage, images, and research on the distributions and taxonomy is fantastic, but I had a few grievances...

1. The presentation I don't think was great - lots of pixelated images and poorly typeset - it just looked a bit amateurish to me.

2. The descriptions (not in the new species sense) I felt were too, well, descriptive. They should have been more discriminatory with regard to similar species, by presenting key diagnostic characters.

P.S. if any mods think that discussion of this book is best done in an old thread, or in a brand new one, don't hesitate to move this post.

Also be aware there are some image identifications that are mistaken IMO....but all in all a good reference for the African catfish enthusiast.

[Shane]

Is there any other African catfish book either of you would consider mandatory packing when headed out collecting in Africa?
-Shane

[Birger]

Most of the books I have from Africa are specific to a region and usually have more than just catfish,many are in French, otherwise they are specific to a family or genus(eg. Schilbeidae, Malapteruridae revisions).
Seegers The Catfishes of Africa is the only decent all encompassing African catfish book that I know of in English.
(If anyone knows of another in any language please let me know.)

There is sort of a series that I like, the two below and rumors of similar to come from the Congo region but again these are regional. I wish there were more of these covering different areas.

http://www.stevensimpsonbooks.com/?page ... f848b0c637

http://www.stevensimpsonbooks.com/?page ... f848b0c637

Birger

[racoll]

Is there any other African catfish book either of you would consider mandatory packing when headed out collecting in Africa?

Don't get me wrong, I think the book is great, but being the critical person I am, when comparing it to the likes of Kottelat & Freyhof's book on European fishes (which I cannot fault), I think it could have been better still.

[Shane]

Bump

I again find myself sitting on a stack of Amazon.com gift certificates and am looking for suggestions.

Can anyone recommend a good general Lake Victoria cichlid book? I have the one by Smith (Lake Victoria Basin Cichlids: Complete Pet Owner's Manuel) but it is very, very basic and of no use for identifying your catch. The only book I am aware of is Seehausen and that one comes with a hefty price from Amazon (US $175 USED).

I am open to all suggestions.
-Shane

[wrasse]

I am open to all suggestions.
-Shane

Howsabout - U write it!

[Richard B]

Have you got "Tanganyika Cichlids in their natural habitat" by ad konings?

[Birger]

Another source for the Lake Victoria Rock Cichlids (still up there in price) and it does not help with your gift certificates. http://www.nhbs.com/shopping_basket.php


http://www.cichlidae.com/forum/viewforu ... b6581087d9