Aquarium Atlas: Volume 1

by Rudiger Riehl

Book Overview

Offers advice on setting up an aquarium, identifies popular species of tropical and cold water aquarium fish, and includes information on fish diseases, and useful water plants. This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 3882440503
• ISBN13: 9783882440508
• Release Date: September 1996
• Publisher: Voyageur Press (MN)
• Length: 1992 Pages
• Weight: 2.75 lbs.
• Dimensions: 2.0" x 5.2" x 7.4"

Customer Reviews

This one toasts the old Axelrod standard

The Axelrod atlas was the standard for years, but this one makes that book look bad. The reason: Every fish has a detailed description including origin location, maintenance, food, and breeding. Plus, it lists synonyms and erroneous names the species is sold under. This is probably the most in-depth, relevant, high-quality single-volume reference book I have found in any field that I have personally researched. Just buy it.

The Ultimate Aquarium Book

This is not just any sappy aquarium book on some market place. This is a real treasure made by professional aquarists Riehdl and Baensch.In fact,this 1000-page book covers ALL of the information you`d ever wanted to know about basic fishkeeping. It is introduced by some pictures and good tips of decorating & creating a natural aquarium. It also has a few samples of how to place the aquarium (in the wall,on a bench,etc). A Piece of Advice: feel free to decorate your aquarium with art objects,because I have done so with mine,and the fishes seem to be thriving as well,although the authors of this book says it is a half-bad idea. Anyway,let`s continue. The book covers every aspect on water quality,techniques,lighting,and much more. It has also a glossary of chemical terms worth to know. Then,the plant section comes. All of the aquarium plants I have at home can be identified here. It contains lots of usefull information as well. But the probably best part of the book is the huge section for identification & keeping of fishes. The section is taking up most of the book and identifies over 600 fish species,with detailed species description. I own over a dozen freshwater aquarium books,but this one is with no doubt the most helpfull. It provides detailed information,and every time before buying a new fish,I read about it in this book. Some times I read twice,as I want to be really sure that I can keep it in my aquariums. All fishes have requirements - and some times they are very high,as with cichlids,so they cannot be kept in small aquariums or with other fishes. I also control that they have the right Ph requirements for my aquariums. If there are any gender differences in a species,or special reproduction behavior,it shows more than one photo of a fish - as with the guppies,there are more than 30 varieties,and all of them are pictured here!What is also helpfull is that the book is treating ALL the synonyms of their scientific names,both the plants & the fishes. For example,I often encounter the common pleco under the name Plecostomus plecostomus,but in this book it is named with it`s right name Hypostomus plecostomus,and that is also something which no other book does. It has so far proven to be very helpfull on all ways when selecting fishes.The last chapter treats fish diseases,and what to be used when they have Oodinium,for example. Often,this is a section poorly explained in many books,but not here. If you have another book,you might have to call some pet shop for getting advice,but I don`t have to do such a thing when having this one. I also have to mention that this book has a very large full index. One for subjects,one for the right fish names and one for synonymous names. And that could be extremly helpfull. And for you who think there`s not enough species covered in this one,don`t worry!There are 4 books more,and this is the smallest!I also own the photo index,which covers 4000 species. See my separate review of that one for more inform

To clear a couple things up

First of all, the third reader review entitled "Great resource, I'd like to point out an error.." states that there is an error in the book with regards to the Siamese algae eater, which is true. However, the mistake is not that it is mixed up with the other fish on the page (the flying fox, which is correct), but that the picture given for the Siamese algae eater is in fact of the FALSE Siamese algae eater. With that out of the way, let me say that this is the single best reference for both beginning and advanced aquarists yet created. What gives this atlas the nod over Dr. Axelrod's Atlas (or Mini-Atlas) of Freshwater Aquarium Fishes is the much, much more detailed information on each fish and plant species. The Axelrod Atlas should only be used as a supplemental companion to this fine volume.

A Must Have Book

Baensch's Aquarium Atlas doesn't have as many species and photos, but every fish has a detailed info about its origin, care, feeding, breeding, etc. The first 70 pages contain very well written and illustrated info on aquarium basics, technology and accessories. Then comes a 77 page section with beautiful photos and info on 100 species of plants. Next is a 723 page section thoroughly characterizing and showing 600 fish species. The book ends with a section on care and maintenance, a section on diseases, and finally a huge Index sorted by Scientific Names, Common Names, and Synonyma.

A must-have aquarium reference for the enthusiast

Everything about this book is complete, concise, and colorful. All volumes contain useful information. Vol 1 is the more common aquarium fish, Vol 2 is rarer fish (cichlids and brackish) and Vol 3 is exotics and also more common fish. Each one contains both plants, fish, diseases, tank set-up and more. Each fish is discussed, not just some pictorial symbols as to their care. Pictures are large and colorful (great quality!). The layout is superb and the information is quite accurate. I highly recommend all of these books, but #1 is best for beginning aquarists.