Cichlids: Purchase, Care, Feeding, Diseases, Behavior, and Breeding

Not a bad book but is not extensive enough to become knowledgeable for cichlids has all the basics in set up different types of cichlids where they are etc, and is a definate read for the novice but needs a more detailed account for a person who already knows the basics

I thought that this book was very helpful in giving me information that I needed to breed my convinct cichlids, and set up the tank accordingly. Though the pictures were appropriate for the subject and well chosen, they were few and far between. I would have much preferred a color photo for every cichlid mentioned, but of course that's just too much to ask for in a book at the price that it was. All in all, it was well written, but needed visual aids of better quality to make it a 5-star book.

This book really tries to lay out what you are going to get into if you want to get into keeping, and possibly breeding, African Cichlids. Though it may leave some wanting more, at $5.56 (USD) it really packs alot of information and is a good summary of what you are in for with this intriguing hobby. Agreed, some of the information might be laid out a little more clearly. But it also presents a great deal more about all aspects of raising Africans that you don't get out of books costing $30, $50, even $100 (list price). I recommend it highly to a beginner. To one who has been involved in the hobby for a while, you may get more from rec.aquaria.freshwater.cichlids. But for the novice, I'd suggest you go for it before you decide to buy fish or a tank. It may help you avoid costly mistakes.