A Commonsense Guide to Fish Health

Rating:
Summary: A Commonsense Guide to Fish Health
Review: At first glance it is physically not what you would call a big book, (keep in mind not all good things come in big packages), I liked the fact that it was published by Barron's, which would mean plenty of current and new graphics unlike other publishers out there. I was right.

Now to look at the cover for the first time. Nice title "A Commonsense Guide To Fish Health" the title says it all. Unlike most books we have read this one does not dive right in to the problem and then prescribes a miracle cure medicaton. Instead we are lead into the murky waters of fishdom's medical field slowly and intelligently in eight chapters that are very easy to read and provide a lot of insight as well as tried and proved methods of addressing some of the more common and even some of the not so common fish health related problems.

Chapter 1 covers stress and it causes and the importance of the aquarium habitat, wich leads to the next chapter on water quality, a very well step, again emphesizing the importance of the environment of the captive animal over a pound of cure. It is in this chapter that the importance of filters are discussed and water quality parameters are explained.

Chapter 3 then gives us the next thing on platter for good fish health, nutrition. Covering more than just the basics on what to feed, Terry goes on to share a couple of his very own recipies for a home made frozen food. A word of warning from both he and I on this, make sure you do not anger the significant other by using the brand new food processor or blender.

Chapter 4 covers Disease and dissection. Covering such things as equipment and a section on euthanasia, and disease identification. This leads us to chapter 5 wich covers parasites and their treatment. Chapter 6 covers bacterial and fungal infections and their cures. Chapter 7 covers viruses and their prevention with chapter 8 covering miscellanous maladies.

Overall it is a fresh new look at an age old problem(s). With plenty of pictures and graphs.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent Resource
Review: This book is full of great information for the dedicated aquarium hobbyist. However, it can be a bit technically taxing for a sit down read or if you are just entering into the hobby. Even still, it is worth the effort to read as it contains priceless information from a well-known expert on fish keeping including practical solutions to keep fish not only alive, but healthy. Read this book and learn how to make your aquarium inhabitants thrive.