The karst landforms of China are renowned around the world for the beauty of their landscapes, but it is less well appreciated that they also contain extensive cave systems with very significant underwater habitats. China also has an extremely high level of biodiversity, including over 1,500 freshwater fish species. Unsurprisingly, some of these species inhabit the karst cave systems and have flourished and diversified under unique environmental conditions. As a result, cave fishes in China are particularly abundant and diverse when compared to those of other countries of the world. These remarkable fishes have received considerable research attention from Chinese ichthyologists and, for the first time, this book makes their resulting findings directly accessible to the English-speaking world through a remarkable endeavour of Sino-British collaboration.

The popular image of sharks is of a dorsal fin cleaving the surface as it rushes to its next kill, but this is a limited caricature. There are over 500 species to choose from, most of whom are far more frightened of humans than vice versa. In this beautiful book, diving veteran John Bantin recounts many tales of his diving with several species of sharks and other marine animals over the last 4 decades. Accompanied by his own stunning photography, the captivating, spectacular and sometimes shocking encounters show the reader what it is like to get up close and personal to these bizarre and beautiful creatures. The sharks covered range from the great whale sharks to the small blacktip reef shark, in locations extending to all corners of the globe.

Known throughout the world for its beauty and personality, koi is one of the most carefully bred fish species around. Raising koi is especially time-consuming and requires more than just sprinkling little flakes in the fish bowl. But thankfully, you don't have to be an expert to maintain your own koi pond. Koi For Dummies shows you how easy and fun it can be to own and care for these delicate fish. Whether building a pond or aquarium for the indoors or outdoors, this easy-to-understand guide explores all of your options. Clear, concise advice helps you:* Appreciate your koi's beauty* Build, design, and maintain your koi pond or aquarium* Find and select koi and the proper supplies* Keep your koi happy and healthy* Treat your koi for parasites, bacterial infections, and viruses* Breed and care for baby koi* Show off your koi to other koi enthusiasts This fun, friendly guide also explains what to do during a power outage and how to check your koi for illness. Featuring 8 pages of full-color photos, Koi for Dummies is all you need to get started raising your very own koi. No matter where you live, you'll be able to care for and breed this beautiful fish!

Every serious aquarium hobbyist will want to buy this book. It's a quick-reference source of information on all aspects of aquarium maintenance and water chemistry, and also provides descriptions of the fish and other aquatic animals and plants common in home aquariums. Approximately 1,000 terms cover everything from Amyloodinium (a fish parasite) to Zooxanthellae (a variety of algae). Entries are supplemented with black-and-white line art, plus a 32-page insert of full-color photos. Appendices feature a wealth of practical information in chart and table form.

Dive into the wonderful world of saltwater fish Setting 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 insert Whether 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!

A newly-updated practical guide to pet-keeping, covering all aspects of choosing and caring for small mammals including rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters, gerbils and jirds, chinchillas, rats and mice - plus birds, herptiles, invertebrates and fish. Each chapter features the most popular breeds in each species, based on general availability and suitability. Find out how to choose the best pet for your lifestyle plus practical tips on buying a pet; housing and exercise; foods for a balanced diet; pet health and what to do when your pet is sick. This is a perfect reference book on petcare for any owner. Expert advice on choosing and buying a pet, the breeds, housing, feeding, handling, showing and health care. Helpful information and fascinating insights about every aspect of caring for the most popular pet species. How to select the right pet for your lifestyle, including choosing exotic species and the most suitable pets for young children and families. Maintaining a pet's health, plus the equipment needed to house, feed and exercise pets correctly, and detailed advice on training, handling, showing and breeding pets.

Whether you're an experienced angler or have only just picked up a rod, this is an indispensable reference guide to fishing. The Complete Fishing Manual is your definitive guide to all things fishing, covering everything from strategies and techniques to bait, tackle, and kit. This manual will assist you every step of the way. Within the pages of this manual you'll find: - Fully illustrated with high-quality photography and illustrations - Information covering fishing techniques in all types of conditions and waters, from freshwater to saltwater - Essential advice on anatomy, behaviour, and habitats - Assistance from the very beginning all the way to the final catch, including getting your licence and reeling in your line - Step by step diagrams on how to prepare your rod for different types of fish - Includes how to fit and use different types of accessories to enhance your chances of catching fish - Diagnostic spreads go from symptom to solution - the manual will answer all of your fishing questions - The world's best fishing locations and the species you can find there Whether you're a pro, fly-fishing in the rivers of the UK or a novice figuring out the reel, this manual has all the information you need to plan your next fishing adventure. Vivid illustrations and detailed photographs draw you in, offer essential advice on anatomy, habitat and behaviour. Details of every fishing strategy and technique can be found within these pages, ensuring you are ever-ready. Casting your net further to the north of Italy and beautiful Spain, this book also takes you on a journey through the world's best fishing destinations, acquainting you with once-in-a-lifetime species found in this region. Complete the series: The Complete Manual series is an exciting, informative and vividly illustrated series of books. With titles such as The Complete Bike Owners Manual, The Complete Sailors Manual, and The Complete Gardener's Manual, this series offers a beautiful cross-section of titles for keen hobbyists.

Give your underwater pets the best aquatic life ever! Aquarium fish are one of the most popular pets in America, with close to 150 million fish owned in nearly 13 million households. They seem like easy pets to care for, but there's more than meets the eye when it comes to keeping your freshwater friends healthy and happy! Inside, you'll find basic information to start your own freshwater aquarium, purchase and maintain healthy fish and plants, and find tips and tricks on how to introduce new fish and systems into your aquatic family. Understand the best aquarium set-up practices Build the luxury tanks of your dreams Maintain a thriving aquatic environment Discover many different ways to expand your hobby Perfect for beginner hobbyists and longtime aquarium enthusiasts alike, Freshwater Aquariums For Dummies makes it easier than ever to set up and take care of a freshwater aquarium--and the fish within it.

This comprehensive guide is the most complete owner's manual for keeping all types of freshwater and marine fish. The book will take you through all the options in choosing the right fish for any water temperature - tropical and coldwater - and for all types of environment - indoor aquariums or outdoor ponds. Know the difference between keeping marine fish and freshwater fish, including differences in aquarium setups, and feeding and caring for your pet fish. Learn to tell if your fish are healthy and find out everything you need to breed them successfully. The Encyclopedia of Aquarium & Pond Fish contains a huge photographic colour reference directory of over 800 of the most popular fish, which not only shows you what they look like, but also gives you the key information you need, such as how big they will grow, whether they integrate with different fish, what food they eat, and what water type and temperature they prefer.

The authoritative information and advice you need, illustrated throughout with full-color photographs--now revised and redesigned to be even more reader-friendly
Known as the ""Siamese Fighting Fish,"" the beautiful Betta, with vivid colors and long fins (in males), has enchanting elegance and grace. Yet Bettas can fight and bite, so it's best to keep just one in a tank. This guide helps you with everything from preparing for your Betta to maintaining an environment where it will thrive. It covers:
* Setting up an interesting aquarium
* Plants for the Betta tank
* Choosing non-aggressive tankmates
* Maintaining a healthy tank and healthy fish
* Feeding your Betta
* Breeding your Betta

Keeping a Betta is the perfect introduction to keeping tropical fish, a relaxing, rewarding hobby everyone can enjoy.

The authoritative information and advice you need, illustrated throughout with full-color photographs--now revised and redesigned to be even more reader-friendly
A saltwater aquarium provides a soothing, ever-changing mini seascape of color and motion. But saltwater fish require a constant, controlled environment. How do you set up and maintain a tank and select the right fish from more than 12,000 varieties? How do you care for marine fish? This updated guide provides the facts and advice you need and includes:
* Info on choosing, equipping, and setting up your aquarium
* Pointers on choosing compatible fish for a community tank
* The scoop on the best (and worst) fish for beginners
* Guidance on maintaining your aquarium and keeping your fish healthy

Living works of art, freshwater aquariums bring nature inside. They're fascinating, soothing, and mesmerizing, but designing and creating an aquarium can be time-consuming. This book shows you step-by-step and fish-by-fish how to create a beautiful, harmonious aquarium that mimics a natural habitat and fosters healthy fish and plant life. It includes: More than 80 detailed recipes for aquariums of different types and sizes, depicting a variety of natural freshwater environments from five continents Specific aquarium model designs in which fish and plants flourish, maintenance is easy, and the aquarium enhances the home Design considerations, including space limitations, backgrounds, and aquascaping ideas A 16-page color insert that's an inspiring catalog of fish and plant varieties The basics of aquarium setup and maintenance

With these model designs and this information, your fish and plants will coexist beautifully in their freshwater habitat and your aquarium will provide years of captivating, calming enjoyment.