North American Native Fishes for the Home Aquarium (Paperback) by David Schlesser
OR
American Aquarium Fishes (Hardback) by Goldstein, Harper, Edwards
Book recommendation
Started by
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, Oct 17 2008 08:53 PM
20 replies to this topic
#2
Guest_schambers_*
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Posted 17 October 2008 - 10:12 PM
I have both of them. I'd buy the Schleser first and get the Goldstein the next time you have a few bucks to spend.
"North American Native Fishes for the Home Aquarium" is the one I spend most of my time referencing. It doesn't cover as many fish as the Goldstein, but it gives more information about why or why not a certain fish is a good candidate for your aquarium. I read it through and reference it often.
"American Aquarium Fishes" has information about a lot of fish and a really great section of color plates in the center. It's a larger book, too. I just got mine out, and I'm thinking to myself, "I need to go through this and read up on my favorite fish." When I got it, I went through and browsed it, and looked at the pictures. Now I use it as a reference book to look up fish. It lists their habitat, what they eat, breeding habits, and where they are found.
As an example, "American Aquarium Fishes" mentions Stonerollers eat algae, but "North American Native Fishes" says that they are excellent aquarium fish that are "active, peaceful, and easy to maintain."
"North American Native Fishes for the Home Aquarium" is the one I spend most of my time referencing. It doesn't cover as many fish as the Goldstein, but it gives more information about why or why not a certain fish is a good candidate for your aquarium. I read it through and reference it often.
"American Aquarium Fishes" has information about a lot of fish and a really great section of color plates in the center. It's a larger book, too. I just got mine out, and I'm thinking to myself, "I need to go through this and read up on my favorite fish." When I got it, I went through and browsed it, and looked at the pictures. Now I use it as a reference book to look up fish. It lists their habitat, what they eat, breeding habits, and where they are found.
As an example, "American Aquarium Fishes" mentions Stonerollers eat algae, but "North American Native Fishes" says that they are excellent aquarium fish that are "active, peaceful, and easy to maintain."
Edited by schambers, 17 October 2008 - 10:12 PM.
#3
Guest_sandtiger_*
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Posted 17 October 2008 - 11:09 PM
I only own "American Aquarium Fishes", its a great book but is geared towards more advanced keepers. For information on spawning and such its a great resource but doesn't have much in the way of a species behavior in aquaria and such. The book while filled with a number of species leaves out many species such as bullheads and largemouth bass because the author deems them to large for the average home aquaria. Despite this he includes bowfin, sturgeon and other giants among our native fish. How he justifies this I have no idea. Still though, I can think of no better book on native fishes, a must own IMO.
#4
Guest_Irate Mormon_*
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Posted 18 October 2008 - 01:03 AM
Goldstein is not a definitive author on natives. That's all I have to say about that.
#5
Guest_benmor78_*
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Posted 18 October 2008 - 02:19 AM
Goldstein is not a definitive author on natives. That's all I have to say about that.
Why is that?
#6
Guest_dsmith73_*
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Posted 18 October 2008 - 09:07 AM
Goldstein is not a definitive author on natives. That's all I have to say about that.
To be honest, though Dave Schlesser knows more about fish, especially Amazonian species, than I ever will, I wouldn't consider him to be a definitive author on natives either. They are both good complement books to the state books and Peterson's. If you don't have Peterson's, get it first. If you do, get the Fishes of that is closest to you, especially the AL, TN and VA books.
#7
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Posted 18 October 2008 - 10:05 AM
Why is that?
I wondering that as well, and if he isn't why hasn't someone who is written a book yet? Till they do I'm afraid as far as literature goes Goldstein is definitive enough for me.
#8
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Posted 18 October 2008 - 10:25 AM
I think the experts on the forum should come together and write a book. Get Brian and Centrarchid to write the sunfish section, brooklamprey on the ancient fish, etc etc. Teleost can get all the pics. If all his pics were in the book people would buy the book just to look at the images. 
#9
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Posted 18 October 2008 - 07:56 PM
To be honest, though Dave Schlesser knows more about fish, especially Amazonian species, than I ever will, I wouldn't consider him to be a definitive author on natives either. They are both good complement books to the state books and Peterson's. If you don't have Peterson's, get it first. If you do, get the Fishes of that is closest to you, especially the AL, TN and VA books.
What is Peterson's?
#10
Guest_drewish_*
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Posted 18 October 2008 - 07:58 PM
http://www.amazon.co...n/dp/0395910919
It is a must have. I keep a copy in my truck for those impromptu sampling trips.
It is a must have. I keep a copy in my truck for those impromptu sampling trips.
#12
Guest_Irate Mormon_*
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Posted 19 October 2008 - 10:29 PM
I'd rather not go into the reasons - Dave Neely has done a good job dissecting the book, plus I was at Goldstein's talk at whatever convention that was. I do own a copy, and it has some nice pictures in it.I wondering that as well, and if he isn't why hasn't someone who is written a book yet? Till they do I'm afraid as far as literature goes Goldstein is definitive enough for me.
Like Dustin said, get a "Fishes of (yourstate)", and a Peterson's guide. Larry Page IS a definitive author on natives.
#13
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Posted 19 October 2008 - 10:43 PM
I'd rather not go into the reasons - Dave Neely has done a good job dissecting the book, plus I was at Goldstein's talk at whatever convention that was. I do own a copy, and it has some nice pictures in it.
Like Dustin said, get a "Fishes of (yourstate)", and a Peterson's guide. Larry Page IS a definitive author on natives.
I tried googling Dave Neely & Goldstein, and haven't found any links. Do you have a link to Neely's discussion of the book?
#14
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#15
Guest_Irate Mormon_*
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Posted 19 October 2008 - 11:06 PM
Thanks Drew - scroll on to page two for the good stuff!
#16
Guest_Irate Mormon_*
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Posted 19 October 2008 - 11:36 PM
I think the experts on the forum should come together and write a book. Get Brian and Centrarchid to write the sunfish section, brooklamprey on the ancient fish, etc etc. Teleost can get all the pics. If all his pics were in the book people would buy the book just to look at the images.
Well, this has been kicked around a bit - problem is, nobody has time to do it! We have toyed with the idea of something like "The NANFA Book of Natives", but potential contributors are few and far between. Chris Sharpf has expressed an interest in seeing such a project come to fruition, but unless one is a casual author (i.e., not terribly concerned with getting things right), the idea of writing such a book is extremely daunting. EXTREMELY. I do agree, however, that we have enough collective wisdom here to get the job done. I will happily write the part about how to humanely euthanize specimens which are already moribund.
#17
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Posted 20 October 2008 - 09:25 AM
That would be a huge project, if started from scratch. Has anyone considered a volume of captive-care articles from AC instead? With perhaps a new introductory/ basics of fishkeeping section. Just thinking out loud here.
In any case, if ever a NANFA book is considered, I will be happy to help with illustrations. I'm no Joe Tomelleri, but I work for peanuts!
In any case, if ever a NANFA book is considered, I will be happy to help with illustrations. I'm no Joe Tomelleri, but I work for peanuts!
#18
Guest_dsmith73_*
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Posted 20 October 2008 - 10:17 AM
Larry Page IS a definitive author on natives.
So are Bob Jenkins(VA), David Etnier(TN), Stephen Ross(MS), Scott Mettee(AL), Fritz Rohde(SC), etc. And as Martin pointed out Larry Page and Brooks Burr would certainly qualify.
#19
Guest_Irate Mormon_*
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Posted 20 October 2008 - 01:54 PM
Steve Ross is MS, not MI (typo).
One of the ideas that was floated was reprinting A/C articles in book form. But we now have A/C on CD thanks to Tom, so I kind of don't see the point of doing it that way.
Actually I believe somebody has already written a good bit of material for this speculative book. I really can't say any more than that, as I could have misunderstood something I read or was told, or there may be another reason why it is not common knowledge. Whatever the case, it is always fun to talk about these things, but then you have to go to work, and fix the car, and cut the grass, and study for finals, and put together presentations, and ...
One of the ideas that was floated was reprinting A/C articles in book form. But we now have A/C on CD thanks to Tom, so I kind of don't see the point of doing it that way.
Actually I believe somebody has already written a good bit of material for this speculative book. I really can't say any more than that, as I could have misunderstood something I read or was told, or there may be another reason why it is not common knowledge. Whatever the case, it is always fun to talk about these things, but then you have to go to work, and fix the car, and cut the grass, and study for finals, and put together presentations, and ...
#20
Guest_dsmith73_*
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Posted 20 October 2008 - 02:37 PM
Steve Ross is MS, not MI (typo).
Sorry, mixed up my postal codes.
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