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Summary: So Much Fun
Review: I recently aquired my scuba certifications in Belize, but needless to say, did not know much about the fish I was encountering during my first several dives. I bought a the Reef Fish Identification CD at the recommendation of my dive shops owner. This CD is great! I have completely enjoyed how interactive it is. I have been using the flash cards to help me and now I am starting to feel confident that I will be able to identify many more fish on my next dive. I will be taking this everywhere with me. I also recently purchased the Reef Fish Identification Tropical Pacific in book form and will be taking that with me to Hawaii for my next dive vacation. Buy it, it's worth it.
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Summary: The definitive guide for reef fish of the Caribbean
Review: I visit family in St. Croix (US Virgin Islands) yearly, and I have looked at a number of books in order to learn the names of the numerous fish I see when I'm snorkeling or diving. This one makes identification easy, with beautiful pictures and the all-important "Distinctive Features" sections, which give you tips on how to distinguish one fish from the next. Make no mistake: this book is the easiest to use and the most comprehensive one I've seen. I'm online to buy the other two books (Reef Coral and Reef Creatures).
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Summary: None Better
Review: I've never found an identifcation book of Caribbean fish that can hold a match to this book. If there's a better book, I would love to know about it. I highly recommend this book to any diver travelling to the Caribbean.
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Summary: the names of paradise...
Review: I've searching for something that helps me and guide my way (dive way...)through the coral reef of the most bealtiful island in the world : Feranando de Noronha - BrasilNow I find !
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Summary: If you only buy one fish id book, let this be the one.
Review: If it swims, it's probably in this book; coral and reef creature books also available.
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Summary: Amazingly Comprehensive
Review: If you are interested in identifying Caribbean reef fish, this is the best guide available. I am a professional marine biologist and have extensive diving experience on reefs in the Florida Keys and the Bahamas. I can honestly say that after 300+ underwater hours in these locations, I have never come across a bony fish that was not included in the guide. This fact was humorously brought home to me when I was in graduate school. My graduate advisor (a very experienced marine biologist with 20+ years of tropical diving experience) once thought that he had discovered a new species of fish. He was very excited and told all of us students to watch his fish and make sure "nothing happened" it. Needless to say, he was somewhat embarrassed when a 2 min investigation into the guide revealed that the fish was simply a wrasse blenny. The guide is well organized, informative, and easy to understand. Although some scientific terms are included, the text is generally designed for non-specialists. That said, however, the information is so well presented and comprehensive that every specialist I know makes extensive use of this guide. Additionally, the illustrations are remarkable. Each species is represented by one or several beautiful color photographs as well as a simplified line drawing with the important identification features indicated. Overall, I can recommend this guide to anyone interested in Caribbean Fishes and/or Marine Biology. The guide would make a particularly nice gift for someone with a marine interest. Also see the companion volume "Reef Fish Behavior: Florida, Caribbean, Bahamas;" an equally excellent book, that adds the ecological dimension to reef fish identification.
Rating:
Summary: Amazingly Comprehensive
Review: If you are interested in identifying Caribbean reef fish, this is the best guide available. I am a professional marine biologist and have extensive diving experience on reefs in the Florida Keys and the Bahamas. I can honestly say that after 300+ underwater hours in these locations, I have never come across a bony fish that was not included in the guide. This fact was humorously brought home to me when I was in graduate school. My graduate advisor (a very experienced marine biologist with 20+ years of tropical diving experience) once thought that he had discovered a new species of fish. He was very excited and told all of us students to watch his fish and make sure "nothing happened" it. Needless to say, he was somewhat embarrassed when a 2 min investigation into the guide revealed that the fish was simply a wrasse blenny. The guide is well organized, informative, and easy to understand. Although some scientific terms are included, the text is generally designed for non-specialists. That said, however, the information is so well presented and comprehensive that every specialist I know makes extensive use of this guide. Additionally, the illustrations are remarkable. Each species is represented by one or several beautiful color photographs as well as a simplified line drawing with the important identification features indicated. Overall, I can recommend this guide to anyone interested in Caribbean Fishes and/or Marine Biology. The guide would make a particularly nice gift for someone with a marine interest. Also see the companion volume "Reef Fish Behavior: Florida, Caribbean, Bahamas;" an equally excellent book, that adds the ecological dimension to reef fish identification.
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Summary: CD version does not match quality of printed book
Review: Last fall I spent a week diving in Bonaire, and on my return saw the hard-copy version of "Reef Fish Identification (Florida Caribbean Bahamas) at my dive shop. I was very impressed with the large numbers of crisp and beautiful pictures, the authoritative description, but most importantly, the depiction for each animal of differences in appearance during each phase of life. I recently purchased the CD version (based largely on the reviews) and began using it today. I was disappointed to discover that it is clearly targeted at Windows 3.x machines: old-style forms and layouts, 8.3 naming conventions in directories (i.e., "Program Files" becomes "PROGRA~"). Most disappointing, however, was the grainy quality of every single fish image on the CD, despite my running it on a high-end graphics workstation. The only positive reason I can offer for purchasing the CD version is the Fish Finder, which offers the ability to search for creatures based on selecting from about eight characteristics.
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Summary: Perfect fish identification book for divers in the Carribean
Review: The book is very good when you are interested in the fishes you see during diving in the Carribean. Use the 'How to use this book'chapter first to fully utilize the possiblities of the book, otherwise the beautiful yellow fish remains the beautiful yellow fish. It is a pitty you can not take it with you underwater.
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Summary: Very necessary compact disc!
Review: The CD of Reef Fish Identification is one of the most entertaining and reliable guides available. The CD is very fun to play, and will occupy a user for hours at a time. There are several categories of fish covered, including: Pufferfish, Angelfish, flatfish, and many others. The paperbook book edition is just as excellent and beautiful as the disc, with the CD being less bulky and easier to carry along with you. The disc offers more, however, including ocean clips, trivia, and sea fish finder. The animals shown in the field guide section are excilaratingly beautiful. Ultimate 1000+ page field guide on a disc! The book editions, which have been updated exactly three times over the years, are not worth the continuous expense, as the disc is the latest edition available.
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