Keeping koi (often called "living jewels") in top-quality condition takes dedication and year-round care, but it is a challenge that thousands of koi enthusiasts are happy to accept in pursuit of perfection. They are a fiercely devoted group willing to spend hundreds, sometimes thousands of dollars to nurture, show and build their collection.Written by a team of international experts, Koi: A Complete Guide to their Care and Color Varieties contains information and advice that incorporates the latest developments in koi research.Topics include: Purchasing koi Body conformation, deportment, color, pattern, and quality The koi pond, including technology, like de-icers and warming tents Water quality and filtration Koi physiology, disease prevention, and good nutrition Showing koi, how to achieve optimal health, color and shine Breeding Designing and building a pond Identifying the many varieties of koi.This book fulfils the need for a reasonably priced and up to date, expert guide on keeping koi. It is essential selection for all enthusiasts, from excited beginners to koi kichi ("koi crazy").

Livebearers focuses on four families of fish which contain many of the most attractive and popular species in the tropical fish hobby today, including guppies, mollies, swordtails, and platies. The families include Goodeidae (Mexican livebearers), Anablepidae (four-eyes and others), Poeciliidae (guppies and others); and Hemirhamphidae (halfbeaks). Author David Alderton explains that hobbyists have applied the term livebearer to these four families for convenience even though there are fourteen families in the wild that reproduce by bearing live young. The chapter “Where in the World?” focuses on the natural history of these families, their distribution, and lifestyles. Hobbyists looking to begin an aquarium of livebearers or to expand their existing communities will find useful information in the chapter called “The Different Groups,” in which Alderton discusses age considerations, health matters, and sex. The chapter also describes the four families and the most common genus/species of each. Included are sixteen representatives of the Family Goodeidae (e.g., Allodontichth, Characodon, and Skiffia), three genus of the Family Anablepidae (Anableps, Jenynsia, and Oxyzgonectes), twenty-six representatives of the Family Poeciliidae (e.g., Belonesox, Fiexipenis, and Limia); and three genus of the Family Hemirhamphidae (Dermogenys, Hemirhamphodon, and Namorhamphus).This colorful, user-friendly guide offers basic information on the anatomical characteristics, housing options, required aquarium equipment for livebearers as well as their feeding habits and food requirements (greenstuff, carotene-rich foods, live foods, meat, etc.). The breeding habits of livebearers have ensured their popularity with hobbyists, and the chapter on reproduction describes the various breeding habits of livebearers and outlines successful breeding strategies for interested hobbyists. In the chapter on health care, the author offers solid advice about caring for livebearers to maximize their lifespan in captivity, which is typically only a few years. He also gives information on signs of illness and some basic diseases that can be treated by the fish keeper.The final chapter offers photographs and distribution maps for sixteen popular livebearers of all four families, including information on size, physical description, natural habitat and behavior, and required aquarium conditions. The author’s livebearer hit parade includes the butterfly goodeid, rainbow goodeid, black-finned goodea, four-eyed fish, guppy (millions fish), black molly, sailfin molly, swordtail, platy (moonfish), mosquito fish (dwarf and large), humpbacked (black-barred) limia, black-bellied limia, pike livebearer (piketop minnow), knife (Alfaro’s) livebearer, and wrestling halfbeak. Resources, glossary, and index included.

Dive into the wonderful world of saltwater fishSetting up and keeping a healthy, thriving saltwater aquarium―and the gorgeous creatures that live within it―takes a lot more know-how than you might realize. Fortunately, this friendly and informative guide is here to make having a slice of the salty life in your own home easier than ever!This fully updated edition of Saltwater Aquariums For Dummies explains in plain English how to care for a variety of marine fish and invertebrates, upkeep a tank, feed your saltwater friends, and stay informed of the latest technology in luxury tanks! Understand aquarium set up best practices Maintain a thriving aquatic environment Build the luxury saltwater tank of your dreams Be inspired by a full-color insertWhether you’re looking for basic information on how to set-up, start, and maintain a saltwater aquarium or already own one and want to whet your appetite with the latest tips, tricks, and design ideas, this book covers the gamut!

Saltwater Fish and Reef Tanks is the premier source of information for new and experienced saltwater aquarium owners. If you want a happy, stable, colorful, and healthy saltwater fish tank, you need to read this book. The author is a long-time reef enthusiast who started his first saltwater aquarium setup nearly fifteen years ago. Mr. Blanchard is also a past store owner. Whether you’re looking to setup a saltwater reef or a fish only tank, this book was written as an explanation and road-map to success in caring for your aquarium equipment, fish, corals, and invertebrates.Neil Barnhart called Saltwater Fish and Reef Tanks, “a must have for anyone interested in starting in the hobby,” and went on to say he'd been “in the hobby for 5 years now” and can “finally understand things” he was “embarrassed to ask the store guy”david S. said it is, "Right to the point essential information" and went on to call it, "A must have reference that will make the hobby experience a lot more enjoyable."Matt Brown said, "great tool to use”, “The tables within it are extremely useful”, and “I can't think of another book that was as easy and enjoyable to read.”Blaine Hatton said, “it took many mistakes to learn what this book explains. I would recommend it to anyone that is interested in beginning a saltwater aquarium.” It “will help save you a lot of headaches and probably lots of money.”Bo Garrett said it provides “motivation and inspiration” and it has “an unbelievable amount of information.”Mr. Blanchard walks the reader through the process of owning a saltwater aquarium setup from the perspective of a beginner. Starting with his first reef tank experience, and ending with a chapter on responsible reef-keeping, the reader is offered a vast amount of information that usually costs the aquarist quite a bit of time and money to obtain; the precise reason most hobbyists give up – within the first year - on owning a beautiful saltwater aquarium.Not only is almost every aspect of owning your first saltwater fish tank in this book, but Zechariah explains it in an easy-to-understand conversational-tone. The reader is encouraged to make copies of tables provided in the book and use them for maintenance logs, testing logs, and aquarium cost calculations. There is an extensive amount of information about the cycling period, water parameters and testing, necessary equipment, picking healthy livestock, acclimation of livestock, coral coloration, and lots more information on saltwater aquariums.If you are new to the saltwater aquarium hobby, or just want to brush up on what you've learned about reef tanks over the years, Saltwater Fish and Reef Tanks is the right book for you!Topics:Before the Decision to BuyDeciding on Tank SizeThe Aquarium Cycle and Biological FiltrationSetup ChecklistBringing Home LivestockAcclimating LivestockFeeding the AquariumMaintaining Your TankWater Testing Log SheetGeneral Maintenance Log SheetSpecifics on Water and Water QualitySaltsSelecting Healthy LivestockRefugiums and FiltrationHow to Move an Existing TankUsing Local Markets to Save MoneyMarine Ich and Your TankDo I Need Invertebrates?Responsible Reef-Keepingand so much more!This is your moment. Make it the turning point for your saltwater aquarium setup. Get a copy right now to see for yourself how Saltwater Fish and Reef Tanks can help you!

Are you ready to start your own beautiful reef aquarium?If you want to start your own thriving reef aquarium with or without saltwater fish, than this book is for you.Here’s the deal:You love the beauty of corals but you have no idea where to start and you don’t want to waste your time and money by not knowing what to do: What do you need (and in what amounts) in order to start a successful reef aquarium? What kind of corals should you get? How can you tell if your corals are thriving or slowing dying? Fortunately this book will give you the blueprint you need to start a reef aquarium that you will love.Here are a few of the things you’ll discover in this book: What you need to do before you put any corals (or potential fish) in your tank. How to properly set up your reef aquarium for success. How to go about pricing your services. How to properly feed your corals. Everything you’ll need to do to maintain your reef tank and how often you need to do it. How to add invertebrates like snails, shrimp, and crabs to your tank. Different saltwater fish that are compatible with reef tanks. Imagine what life would be being able to come home to a beautiful reef tank.By following the strategies outlined in this book, you can create the reef aquarium of your dreams.Scroll up, click the buy now button, and start your breath taking reef tank today!