Most identification books are not written specifically for aquarists.

They are often designed primarily for divers, snorkelers, fishermen or they may be written by ichthyologists for other scientists and therefore contain technical information such as details of the anatomy of a fish, why it is classified in a particular genus, its relationship to other species of its family, etc. - all things of little interest to the aquarist.

The authors of this book are to be complimented for their effort to educate the consumer to avoid buying species of fishes, which are doomed to die in their aquarium.

Unfortunately, the aquarium industry is guilty of marketing species, which may be beautiful or uniquely appealing in some way, but will either soon grow too large for the aquarium or die because they cannot long survive in the conditions aquarists are able to provide.

Well illustrated with over 500 brilliant color photos.