Aquarium Plant Paradise

by Takashi Amano

Great resource for setting up an attractive aquaria. 108 full color photos. 64 pages, hardcover.

Genres: Nature

64 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1999

About the author

Takashi Amano (天野尚, born July 18, 1954) was a photographer, designer and aquarist. His interest in aquaria led him to create the Japanese company Aqua Design Amano.

Amano is the author of Nature Aquarium World (TFH Publications, 1994), a three-book series on aquascaping and freshwater aquarium plants and fish. He has also published the book "Aquarium Plant Paradise" (T.F.H. Publications, 1997).

A species of freshwater shrimp is named the “Amano shrimp” or "Yamato shrimp" (Caridina multidentata; previously Caridina japonica) after him. After discovering this species' ability to eat large quantities of algae, Amano asked a local distributor to special order several thousand of them. They have since become a staple in the freshwater planted aquarium hobby.

He has also developed a line of aquarium components that are known as ADA, and his “Nature Aquarium” article series appears monthly in both Practical Fishkeeping magazine in the UK, and Tropical Fish Hobbyist magazine in the US.

Reviews

[Ill D · Rating 3 out of 5]

High on visuals and low on verbiage, Takashi Amano’s Aquarium Plant Paradise reduces to a picture book for adults. Falling short of its own intended teleology, Amano’s work serves a far sinister purpose – a masturbatory apotheosization of the author’s own vaunted (yet hardly underserving) aquascaping capacities. Ostensibly enough, any attempt to transparentize the ‘scaping process by providing useful and detailed informational labels, is marred first by odd choices in organization which is then compounded by it’s own thinness, work against the reader and instead performs a far greater service to effectively deify the artistry of the master within.

Despite its unabashedly human flaws, as a vessel for inspiration – this illustrated “Paradise” (can) serve(s) a much more applicable function. The gorgeous aquascapes within are quite varied and can do wonders for your imagination. However, your more logical brain sphere will wince at the less than detailed pot catalogs underneath (it's pretty laconic here) and the particularly meager guides to planting and maintaining these delicate tanks.

If the goal was to create something of an aquatic mini-hagiography of Amano’s tanks, “Plant Paradise,” succeeded enormously well. However, if the goal was to serve as solid premier toward planting your own tank, the goal line of education has been missed by leaps and bounds. 20 years post-publication have left us with a highly dated product that is far more in love with its creator than its creation.

[Aden · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed interacting with the carefully manicured diagrams and descriptions of advanced aqua design and aquascaping techniques. The info graphic approach to this book helps anyone from the common hobbies looking to get into aqua design, to an advanced Aquarius looking for some extra tips and tricks. I would recommend this book to anyone who is interested in entering the aquarium plant world as it is a valuable resource, as it provides a step by step analysis of potential designs for a planted aquarium.

[Kevin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Even more beautiful photos.