Success with Cichlids Lake Mal

I just want to leave a notation for all who get this book. BE CAREFUL OPENING PAGES! The photos on each page are actually on photographic paper! This makes each photo excellent in detail and color, but this book needs to have pages turned with the care of a photo album, and not the casual nature of a book.

Despite all the other bad reviews I think this is a great book to dive into African Cichlids. I have owned an aquarium maintenance service for years and have had only one african cichild tank. I bought a bunch of them and threw them all in a 55 gallon tank. It looked great until the fish grew up. After a year or so I only had a couple fish left, most killed by a large pseudotrophus sp. This book explained why and I was finally able to understand these fish. The book goes into species compatibility and their social behavior and explains why you mix certain species, male/female ratios, numbers of each species required, size of tank and how to keep aggressive ones. I feel the topic is so vast with over 1500 species that no one book can cover everything. I'm finding the most difficult part of African Cichlids is the scientific names - some are very difficult to say much less knowing which ones you can house together! If you have had aquariums in the past and know nothing about African Cichlids I would recommend this as your first book! It really informs the reader of the broad overview of what you are getting into and the problems associated with it. It leaves you informed and, if interested, wanting to buy another book or two, specifically one with photos of all the species like Pablo Tepoot's "Pictoral Guide".

This is an exceptionally informative book for any aquarist interested in keeping East African cichlids. There is general information on aquarium set up & maintenance along with specialized detail on these beautiful exotic fishes.I especially enjoyed the section on the native habitat of the East African lakes with maps and many photos of fish in their natural setting. I appreciate knowing this background of the fish I am keeping.Individual species of cichlids are described with their unique characteristics. Clear photos show the variety and beautiful coloration within this family. Selecting fish that will live together in harmony is emphasized.The comprehensive species specific feeding instructions provided are invaluable since the requirements vary widely among the different cichlids. Breeding and health tips complete this great guide.

The most comprehensive text available for the maintenance & breeding of the generality of cichlids. Complete guide to the setting up, maintenance & trouble shooting in the cichlid aquarium. May at times seem a little technical, but is necessarily so. You may find a more simple pictorial guide to species but will soon lose your fish if you do not follow the basic principles here outlined. Description of species and their needs is more than adequate and colour plates are extensive. One criticism reported is the use of latin names for the species. Thank god for that as it is relatively up to date & the only nomenclature that allows hobbyists to be sure of what they have in their tanks. It should be the standard. Overall the must have cichlid book to be read prior to embarking on this fascinating branch of the hobby.

I recently recieved this book as a present and can not say enough about it. I found alot of the information in the book to be excellent and well informative. The book is perfect for anyone just starting out with a Malawi or Tanganyika Cichlid tank. If you are already knowledgable about the general care of the fish then this book is still for you. It goes into great depth on nutritional needs of the fish and breeding.