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Rating: 
Summary: Good
Review: A really nice reference with lots of useful stats.
Rating:
Summary: Very comprehensive and stylish atlas
Review: Anyone looking for a handy reference for freshwater aquarium fish would do well to buy this book. Its small size aids in its active usage, and its index of common and scientific names helps in locating the species you are curious about. It has good pictures and descriptions for all the fish contained within, and you would do well to follow the indications given, as in many cases one is hard-pressed to find any alternate sources of information on rare fish. For the most part, the translation from German is without error. It is understandable in all cases, slightly awkward in a few. However, there are certain instances where data is incorrect, or pictures switched or missing. These are few, but notably occur with the Siamese Algae Eater and Corydoras julii entries, where there is an incorrect and missing picture, respectively. Overall, a great fishkeeping resource.
Rating: 
Summary: Great resource, I'd like to point out an error..
Review: Baensch's Aquarium Atlas doesn't have as many species and photos, but every fish has a detailed info about its origin, care, feeding, breeding, etc. The first 70 pages contain very well written and illustrated info on aquarium basics, technology and accessories. Then comes a 77 page section with beautiful photos and info on 100 species of plants. Next is a 723 page section thoroughly characterizing and showing 600 fish species. The book ends with a section on care and maintenance, a section on diseases, and finally a huge Index sorted by Scientific Names, Common Names, and Synonyma.
Rating:
Summary: A must-have aquarium reference for the enthusiast
Review: Everything about this book is complete, concise, and colorful. All volumes contain useful information. Vol 1 is the more common aquarium fish, Vol 2 is rarer fish (cichlids and brackish) and Vol 3 is exotics and also more common fish. Each one contains both plants, fish, diseases, tank set-up and more. Each fish is discussed, not just some pictorial symbols as to their care. Pictures are large and colorful (great quality!). The layout is superb and the information is quite accurate. I highly recommend all of these books, but #1 is best for beginning aquarists.
Rating:
Summary: To clear a couple things up
Review: First of all, the third reader review entitled "Great resource, I'd like to point out an error.." states that there is an error in the book with regards to the Siamese algae eater, which is true. However, the mistake is not that it is mixed up with the other fish on the page (the flying fox, which is correct), but that the picture given for the Siamese algae eater is in fact of the FALSE Siamese algae eater. With that out of the way, let me say that this is the single best reference for both beginning and advanced aquarists yet created. What gives this atlas the nod over Dr. Axelrod's Atlas (or Mini-Atlas) of Freshwater Aquarium Fishes is the much, much more detailed information on each fish and plant species. The Axelrod Atlas should only be used as a supplemental companion to this fine volume.
Rating:
Summary: To clear a couple things up
Review: First of all, the third reader review entitled "Great resource, I'd like to point out an error.." states that there is an error in the book with regards to the Siamese algae eater, which is true. However, the mistake is not that it is mixed up with the other fish on the page (the flying fox, which is correct), but that the picture given for the Siamese algae eater is in fact of the FALSE Siamese algae eater. With that out of the way, let me say that this is the single best reference for both beginning and advanced aquarists yet created. What gives this atlas the nod over Dr. Axelrod's Atlas (or Mini-Atlas) of Freshwater Aquarium Fishes is the much, much more detailed information on each fish and plant species. The Axelrod Atlas should only be used as a supplemental companion to this fine volume.
Rating:
Summary: Recommended Changes
Review: I am very much enjoying the book and would even more with some changes. 1. The 5x7 format is not user friendly for me -- the volumn is on the thick side as a result. 2. Would be great if there was a listing of the fish that are compatible with a community tank -- perhaps even sub-categories within the major listing. 3. At the front of the book is a page that, in small diagrams, point out how to build a tank. This is so sketchy it should be removed or expanded to match the expertize of the rest of the book.
Rating:
Summary: An Excellent Book for Any Aquarist
Review: This is not just any sappy aquarium book on some market place. This is a real treasure made by professional aquarists Riehdl and Baensch.
In fact,this 1000-page book covers ALL of the information you`d ever wanted to know about basic fishkeeping. It is introduced by some pictures and good tips of decorating & creating a natural aquarium. It also has a few samples of how to place the aquarium (in the wall,on a bench,etc).
A Piece of Advice: feel free to decorate your aquarium with art objects,because I have done so with mine,and the fishes seem to be thriving as well,although the authors of this book says it is a half-bad idea.
Anyway,let`s continue. The book covers every aspect on water quality,techniques,lighting,and much more. It has also a glossary of chemical terms worth to know.
Then,the plant section comes. All of the aquarium plants I have at home can be identified here. It contains lots of usefull information as well.
But the probably best part of the book is the huge section for identification & keeping of fishes. The section is taking up most of the book and identifies over 600 fish species,with detailed species description. I own over a dozen freshwater aquarium books,but this one is with no doubt the most helpfull. It provides detailed information,and every time before buying a new fish,I read about it in this book. Some times I read twice,as I want to be really sure that I can keep it in my aquariums. All fishes have requirements - and some times they are very high,as with cichlids,so they cannot be kept in small aquariums or with other fishes. I also control that they have the right Ph requirements for my aquariums.
If there are any gender differences in a species,or special reproduction behavior,it shows more than one photo of a fish - as with the guppies,there are more than 30 varieties,and all of them are pictured here!
What is also helpfull is that the book is treating ALL the synonyms of their scientific names,both the plants & the fishes. For example,I often encounter the common pleco under the name Plecostomus plecostomus,but in this book it is named with it`s right name Hypostomus plecostomus,and that is also something which no other book does.
It has so far proven to be very helpfull on all ways when selecting fishes.
The last chapter treats fish diseases,and what to be used when they have Oodinium,for example. Often,this is a section poorly explained in many books,but not here. If you have another book,you might have to call some pet shop for getting advice,but I don`t have to do such a thing when having this one.
I also have to mention that this book has a very large full index. One for subjects,one for the right fish names and one for synonymous names. And that could be extremly helpfull.
And for you who think there`s not enough species covered in this one,don`t worry!There are 4 books more,and this is the smallest!I also own the photo index,which covers 4000 species. See my separate review of that one for more information.
Over all,this is the ULTIMATE AQUARIUM BOOK and a must-have for every aquarist.
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