? A good reef fish book

[torontoscubagirl]

Hello

Can anyone recommend a good book detailing information on Carribean reef fishes, corals, reef wildlife - someting with pictures for identification and a little info on what they do, who they eat, who eat them, etc.

Thanks a bunch

[mike_s]

The Reef Fish ID book by Ned DeLoach is my favorite.

[Damselfish]

The Reef Fish ID book by Ned DeLoach is my favorite.
second that, actually theres a set of 3 - Fish, Creatures, and Corals.

[deeper thoughts]

second that, actually theres a set of 3 - Fish, Creatures, and Corals.
ditto with above

[DeputyDan]

ditto again.

[H2Andy]

yeah, best books ever... i have the Reef Fish I.D. book.. it's awesome

http://www.fishid.com/

[RoatanMan]

If only it were waterproof.... and had all of the critters, not just 98.5% ;)

(p.s.: a.k.a.: "Paul Humann book" as well, same same)

[mike_s]

If only it were waterproof.... and had all of the critters, not just 98.5% ;)

(p.s.: a.k.a.: "Paul Humann book" as well, same same)


Actually, they make/sell a smaller version of it in slick waterproof pages. It's a small softback copy that has mabye 30-50 pages? (but I'm just guessing t the page count). I think it was $12 bucks. It's nice to carry in the dive bag to use on a boat where everything is not "dry". It not as fancy or details as the big book, but better than those fish id plastic "cards" you buy.

[PaulChristenson]

Actually, they make/sell a smaller version of it in slick waterproof pages. It's a small softback copy that has mabye 30-50 pages? (but I'm just guessing t the page count). I think it was $12 bucks. It's nice to carry in the dive bag to use on a boat where everything is not "dry". It not as fancy or details as the big book, but better than those fish id plastic "cards" you buy.

You can get it as part of your
http://www.reef.org/cgi-bin/shop.cgi?action=show&product=START_KIT&session=xf3atjaE
That's the Western Atlantic Kit...:D

[PaulChristenson]

The Reef Fish ID book by Ned DeLoach is my favorite.

Make sure you get the 3rd Edition...

And even slicker is the Reef Fish Identification CD...
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1878348183/sr=8-1/qid=1142643688/ref=sr_1_1/104-1333988-2380702?%5Fencoding=UTF8

[jbilicska]

I agree Paul Humann reef books are the best. Try buying them at Amazon.com you can get good prices there.
Enjoy
Joe B

[RoatanMan]

Make sure you get the 3rd Edition...And even slicker is the Reef Fish Identification CD...

And then have yourself the really cool book in the serries. After you've found the little critters, this explains the bahaviors you're seeing (but maybe not noticing!)

Same authors:

See http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1878348280/sr=8-2/qid=1142714281/ref=pd_bbs_2/002-1903932-8251268?%5Fencoding=UTF8


PADI also offers a book called Reef Creature Interaction- something like that. Excellent tips on how to not scare critters, allowing for closer looks. Info on attracting them with specific motions, etc.

[Cacia]

I cannot remember which photog did this entire "behavioral" bit on each fish and how to best con them into a portrait....OH! Marty Snyderman and Clay Wiseman!! They did "Guide to Marine Life" (Caribbean, Bahamas,Florida). The behavioral component is included in little notes by each picture and the box with phot-tips tell how to use the "fundamental nature" of the fish to your advantage when trying to photgraph a given species. No kidding, the "how to photograph" portion is unique and smartly written!

"descend to the rubble zone, or sand patch and settle 15 ft. from the jawfish, closing the gap, one ft per minute...."

You can imagine the collaborative results of these two, working together!

[PaulChristenson]

And then have yourself the really cool book in the serries. After you've found the little critters, this explains the bahaviors you're seeing (but maybe not noticing!)

Same authors:

See http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1878348280/sr=8-2/qid=1142714281/ref=pd_bbs_2/002-1903932-8251268?%5Fencoding=UTF8


PADI also offers a book called Reef Creature Interaction- something like that. Excellent tips on how to not scare critters, allowing for closer looks. Info on attracting them with specific motions, etc.

I was trying not to overwhelm him with too many books...

They have just added Nudibranch Behavior to the series...:D
http://www.reef.org/cgi-bin/shop.cgi?action=init&product=NUDI

[overandover]

FYI.... (Copied from material from Buddy Dive, the wife and I are going.)
Buddy Dive September Special!
During September 2006: Ned & Ann DeLoach, renowned marine biologists, will conduct seminars, lectures and guided dives at Buddy Dive.
Save: During the month, every 2nd diver dives FREE. And FREE NITOX upgrades for all divers

[loquat149]

Hello

Can anyone recommend a good book detailing information on Carribean reef fishes, corals, reef wildlife - someting with pictures for identification and a little info on what they do, who they eat, who eat them, etc.

Thanks a bunch

After you've purchased Humann's book(s), you might want to check out "Fishes of the Caribbean" on DVD/CD. This is an electronic reference with advanced search capabilities, thousands of photographs, and lots of video footage that you can play on your home DVD player and/or computer. The flash card/quizzer is probably one of the best ways to learn or sharpen your fish id skills.

www.reefnet.ca

Dave

[RoatanMan]

They have just added Nudibranch Behavior to the series...:D


Even after I clicked on that I thought it was a joke. I imagine there's a chapter on "Hunting the Elusive and Dangerous Lettuce Leaf"...

"Go for the kill shot on the first look into their eyes lest they charge when wounded".

Man, I thought I had a lot of free time.

[PaulChristenson]

Even after I clicked on that I thought it was a joke. I imagine there's a chapter on "Hunting the Elusive and Dangerous Lettuce Leaf"...

"Go for the kill shot on the first look into their eyes lest they charge when wounded".

Man, I thought I had a lot of free time.

No the joke has to do with the Title...

In their chapter entitled Classification of Sea Slugs...there is a discussion about the misuse of the term Nudibranch and how actually they should have called the book Opisthobranch Behavior...:D :D

I'm semi-retired...I have lots of time to read...:D

[Cacia]

yes, I thought it was a joke too, knowing how Paul is, so had to look....I like the term sea slug, I know some diver's behavior that qualifies.

[PaulChristenson]

yes, I thought it was a joke too, knowing how Paul is, so had to look....I like the term sea slug, I know some diver's behavior that qualifies.

Hey...I resemble that remark...I just think people take some of this stuff Way to Seriously...

Like my grandfather told me...Don't take life too seriously or you'll never get out alive...:D

[torontoscubagirl]

Thanks everyone!

I bought the reef set by Humann and Deloach, and it is great. I took it with me to St. Lucia and Cozumel - and read it on the beach. Well between dives. Fantastic books.

[Sorrows]

The DeLoach books are the best--but they are quite heavy. I take them all with me anyway, because I can't bear to be without them on a dive trip. They aren't really suitable for the boat. I like to go back to the hotel and try to identify everything I've seen. What can I say? I'm a nerd!

My favorite, by far, is the Fish Behavior book. I highly recommend it. Read it and you'll find yourself looking at the fish in an entirely different way. You'll notice things you did not notice before and you'll know why the fish are doing what they are doing. It takes you beyond "what fish is that?" to a whole new level of understanding, IMHO. Can you tell? I LOVE this book!

[H2Andy]

Thanks everyone!

I bought the reef set by Humann and Deloach, and it is great. I took it with me to St. Lucia and Cozumel - and read it on the beach. Well between dives. Fantastic books.


excellent, they are by far the best ones i know of