What do you think?
Rate this book
Reef Fishes #1
Reef Fishes: A Guide to Their Identification, Behavior, and Captive Care
The definitive work on the dazzling fishes of the world s coral reefs, especially those of interest to marine aquarists. This first volume of a long-anticipated three-volume set covers reef environments, fish behaviors, anatomy, taxonomy, and evolution, with hundreds of species accounts and world-class photographs. A much-needed reference for aquarists, as well as for divers and coral reef naturalists, this authoritative account includes more than 800 species photographs.
Scott W. Michael is an underwater photographer widely regarded as one of the world s foremost authorities on the behavior and husbandry of reef fishes in aquarium systems. He is a regular contributor to Aquarium Fish Magazine and has served as a scientific consultant to National Geographic Explorer and the Discovery Channel.
624 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1998
28 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
January 23, 2014
2008 review: Great reference book. I should buy this.
2014 REVIEW January Re read. I have been fish watching and identifying fish for just about 15 years. And now that I live in Hawaii, it is still fun, but it is becoming more difficult to see an "uncommon, rare, or new fish" Thus I have become a fish voyeur. John Hoover does a good job, in his latest book, explaining some fishes behaviors, but so far I have not found a book that is inclusive. Scott Michael's book is mostly for aquarists, however, he does a more than adequate job, in Volume I, of describing the stalking, feeding and spawning behaviors of quite a few of the fish. I wanted to reread this book, as I have noticed some unusual behaviors in the Trumpet Fish. Anyone who watches fish would know the Trumpet Fish can change its color quickly. I recently saw it floating along, in glorious yellow, with a group of yellow Tangs, and suspected it of posing as a yellow Tang. BINGO! To shorten up this tale, this behavior is called "riding", and the Trumpet Fish is indeed trying to blend in, to more easily catch his lunch. Scott Michael wrote two pages about this stalking behavior, and I now have more behaviors to watch for.
The book also confirmed our observation of the nest defending nature of some Triggerfish. Something that Jeff and I became acutely aware of in Bali, when the Titon Triggerfish would actually chase you, and if you did not retreat, we were told the consequence could be a nasty bite. And this year, for the first time, we became aware that the male Lagoon Triggerfish, in the waters of Kailua Kona, will also make a run at you, trying to keep you away from it's unhatched litter. However, Jeff stood his ground, and snapped several pictures of this behavior. If you are really interested, the description and pictures are in his blog. Try Googling Jeff Hill Snorkeling Kona.
To summarize, a very good book, but it does not have all I was looking for. I will keep searching.
2014 REVIEW January Re read. I have been fish watching and identifying fish for just about 15 years. And now that I live in Hawaii, it is still fun, but it is becoming more difficult to see an "uncommon, rare, or new fish" Thus I have become a fish voyeur. John Hoover does a good job, in his latest book, explaining some fishes behaviors, but so far I have not found a book that is inclusive. Scott Michael's book is mostly for aquarists, however, he does a more than adequate job, in Volume I, of describing the stalking, feeding and spawning behaviors of quite a few of the fish. I wanted to reread this book, as I have noticed some unusual behaviors in the Trumpet Fish. Anyone who watches fish would know the Trumpet Fish can change its color quickly. I recently saw it floating along, in glorious yellow, with a group of yellow Tangs, and suspected it of posing as a yellow Tang. BINGO! To shorten up this tale, this behavior is called "riding", and the Trumpet Fish is indeed trying to blend in, to more easily catch his lunch. Scott Michael wrote two pages about this stalking behavior, and I now have more behaviors to watch for.
The book also confirmed our observation of the nest defending nature of some Triggerfish. Something that Jeff and I became acutely aware of in Bali, when the Titon Triggerfish would actually chase you, and if you did not retreat, we were told the consequence could be a nasty bite. And this year, for the first time, we became aware that the male Lagoon Triggerfish, in the waters of Kailua Kona, will also make a run at you, trying to keep you away from it's unhatched litter. However, Jeff stood his ground, and snapped several pictures of this behavior. If you are really interested, the description and pictures are in his blog. Try Googling Jeff Hill Snorkeling Kona.
To summarize, a very good book, but it does not have all I was looking for. I will keep searching.
September 1, 2012
extremely helpful with my saltwater tank species
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews