( 11 reviews )
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( 2 of 3 found this review helpful ) Posted: Feb 8 2009
The lucrative trade in exotic pets is indefensible, and its operation has a lot more similarity to drug-trafficking than to love of animals. Very few of the fish and invertebrates sold for home/office salt water aquaria are bred; the vast majority are pillaged from nature, particularly from already declining coral reefs around the world. Much of the pillaging is ruthlessly destructive, involving wholesale damage to the reefs and to creatures that are not even of value to the pillagers. The mortality of the clown fish depicted on the cover of this book, from reef to the tank in your parlor, is worse than 100 to one. This is a hobby driven by egotism and pride-of-ownership. Maintaining a salt water aquarium is difficult and time-consuming. The vast majority of beginners at it abandon their tanks within a year or two, having exterminated any number of helpless beauties at substantial cost. The son of a close friend of mine spent several years working for a company that supplies and maintenances aquaria for businesses and public offices. His stories are gruesome; once again the survival rate of these creatures, which we so casually admire in their beauty, is unconscionably brief. But it's not just the saltwater fish trade that deserves scorn. The pillaging and marketing of reptiles and amphibia exhibits the same callous disregard for the welfare of the species, many of which are supposedly protected and all of which are endangered worldwide, whether designated as such or not. And while I'm on a tear, let's take a look at the current abuse of dogs! Dogs may truly be Man's best friend, but the friendship is no longer reciprocal. For many people today, dogs are furniture. The greatest abuse is the irresponsible breeding of dogs to suit their buyers' whimsies, with no concern for the genetic health of the breed. Breeds that once were noted for intelligence and fidelity have been bred into canine morons. Hip and back problems, weakened circulatory systems, and painful jaw deformities are no worry to the breeders as long as the pups can be sold. Obviously not all breeders are such villains, but that even a minority of them are should be a matter of conscience for everyone. People, there are so many of us! The world is not our play pen! DON'T think you are some kind of libertarian exception! Living on Earth involves communal responsibility. DON'T buy creatures that have taken millions of years to evolve their curious and beautiful but fragile life forms! Let them live! Instead, join a community service club to use up your leisure. You might find your own species more fascinating than a tank of dead fish.
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Posted: Jan 11 2009
We bought a saltwater aquarium for our son for Christmas. This book is great for the novice and likely the pro. The direction is terrific in this book and it is easy to read and follow. If you are going to invest in a marine tank, get this book.
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Posted: Oct 1 2008
Very good book for a beginner in the salt water aquarium, it takes you through the whole process from planning to maintaining the aquarium.
