Best book available for a new tropical tank owner?

[Maroonostrich]

Can anyone recommend a book I could aim to buy with a good list of available freshwater tropical species and a fair consideration of their needs but also advice on dealing with disease and anything else that might crop up during tank ownership?

I have been reading up on the net and using a couple of library books to get to this stage; these are Dick Mills DK handbook of aquarium fish (recognition guide) and Mary Bailey/ Gina Sandfords Ultimate encyclopedia of aquarium fish and fish care. I've enjoyed both but wondered if there was anything else I could get a hold of to own so I always have good advice at my fingertips?

 

[BigC]

The Beansch atlases are ideal for your needs.

 

[SandMan8388]

I would highly recomend "Aquariums for Dummies". Stupid title, but great book!

 

[ncjharris]

The three books we have used extensivley are;

DK's Aquarium Owners Manual (1405300116) - lots of advice on everything, plus a good all round section on types of fish.

You and Your Aquarium - Dick Mills - (0751302710) - bit old, but again, covers a lot of things and explains a lot too!

The Encyclopedia of aquarium fish - (0715311735) - best book we found, at a decent price, that covers a good range of fish, with decent pictures and info on the fish.

Isn't there a set of books that are supposed to be the fish keepers bible - although very expensive and in a lot of volumes? Thats supposed to be a god send - I think the Minions have it?

 

[sinistral]

I can put in a good word for The Simple Guide to Freshwater Aquariums by David Boruchowitz.

 

[SirMinion]

The four Baensch Aquarium Atlases are a fabulous reference source for fish, plants and general care instructions. Between the four books they detail around 30,000 fish species.

Volumes five and six are now available, but only in German. We'll wait for the English translations before adding them to our collection!

 

[Bignose]

Let me put a vote in for Tropical Fishlopaedia by Bailey and Burgess. Lots of general info about tank maintenence and an absolutely outstanding section on diseases. Then whole chapter about the medicines, as well. The only knock is a lack of index, but the table of contents is pretty comprehensive.