Rating: 
Summary: Great book for the families of fish represented
Review: After reading the glowing reviews and getting a quick perusal of the book at the local aquarium shop I asked for this book as a Christmas present. In many ways this first volume is all I expected, a thorough review of many of the species of fish in the covered families with plenty of nice photos. The book also describes care and feeding.The downside, and something I didn't pick up while thumbing through the book in the aquarium store, is that this is the first book of a 4 part series. Which means the book only covers approximately a third of the common reef fish families. And worse yet, although the author states that the primary audience the book is directed toward is aquarists, it appears that the majority of fish families presented in the first volume are more of the less commom species of fish kept by reef aquarists. The first volume contains fish like eels, catfishes, lizardfish, toadfish, frogfish, squirrelfish, sea moths, pipefish, seahorses, scorpionfish, etc., not species you'll find in the majority of reef tanks. The only families included that I would possibly keep in my tank are the dwarf seabasses, hamlets, and anthias. We'll have to wait for volume II to get the dottybacks,grammas, hawkfish, cardinalfish, butterflyfish, angelfish, and damselfish (among others). And volume III to get the wrasses, blennies, gobies, and surgeonfishes (among others). Volume IV is supposedly an index of the first three volumes. Dividing the reef fish into 3 volumes is not a bad idea, although it would have been nice to have the more common species in the FIRST volume. Particularly when volume I was published in 1998, and we're still waiting for volume II. Assuming Volume II was published in 2003 (a hopefull guess) then I can look forward to reading about Tangs in volume III somewhere around 2007. In retrospect I may have found a book that provided more info. on commonly kept species. Having said all that, for what Volume I represents, it is presented very well and in thorough easily digested detail. Let's hope Mr. Michael gets really ambitious and pumps out volume II and III next year.
Rating:
Summary: Great book for the families of fish represented
Review: After reading the glowing reviews and getting a quick perusal of the book at the local aquarium shop I asked for this book as a Christmas present. In many ways this first volume is all I expected, a thorough review of many of the species of fish in the covered families with plenty of nice photos. The book also describes care and feeding. The downside, and something I didn't pick up while thumbing through the book in the aquarium store, is that this is the first book of a 4 part series. Which means the book only covers approximately a third of the common reef fish families. And worse yet, although the author states that the primary audience the book is directed toward is aquarists, it appears that the majority of fish families presented in the first volume are more of the less commom species of fish kept by reef aquarists. The first volume contains fish like eels, catfishes, lizardfish, toadfish, frogfish, squirrelfish, sea moths, pipefish, seahorses, scorpionfish, etc., not species you'll find in the majority of reef tanks. The only families included that I would possibly keep in my tank are the dwarf seabasses, hamlets, and anthias. We'll have to wait for volume II to get the dottybacks,grammas, hawkfish, cardinalfish, butterflyfish, angelfish, and damselfish (among others). And volume III to get the wrasses, blennies, gobies, and surgeonfishes (among others). Volume IV is supposedly an index of the first three volumes. Dividing the reef fish into 3 volumes is not a bad idea, although it would have been nice to have the more common species in the FIRST volume. Particularly when volume I was published in 1998, and we're still waiting for volume II. Assuming Volume II was published in 2003 (a hopefull guess) then I can look forward to reading about Tangs in volume III somewhere around 2007. In retrospect I may have found a book that provided more info. on commonly kept species. Having said all that, for what Volume I represents, it is presented very well and in thorough easily digested detail. Let's hope Mr. Michael gets really ambitious and pumps out volume II and III next year.
Rating: 
Summary: Reef Fishes Volume 1 by Scott W. Michael
Review: Awesome book! So many wonderful pictures and more information than I hoped for!
Rating:
Summary: Reef Fishes Volume 1 by Scott W. Michael
Review: Awesome book! So many wonderful pictures and more information than I hoped for!
Rating: 
Summary: great book, could use more photos of juveniles and subadults
Review: First let me say that this really is one terrific book. Great photos, excellent natural history notes, and the advice on keeping each species is top notch. There really is nothing out there that comes close to the scope and depth of coverage this book delivers. Having said that, I think it could've been improved. Reef fish are extremely diverse, and each species often goes through several different color phases as it matures to adulthood. The author does a good job of showing color variants, but this book would have benefited from a series of photos showing developmental changes where appropriate. Additionally, although he does a good job of covering nearly all species that one is likely to encounter in the pet trade now, a more exhaustive treatment of other family members would've allowed aquarists, scientists, and divers to use this book to equal advantage. Having said that, this is still the best book you can get for reef fishes and I eagerly await the next volumes (and the revisions!).
Rating:
Summary: Great Book
Review: Has just about every family of reef fishes that exist. It also covers extensivly several types of fish that are kept. The rest of them will be in later volumes.
Rating:
Summary: Attention all marine aquarist
Review: I have a copy of Reef Fishes and it is amazing. I am looking foward to the next two volumes and I plan on purchasing them. If you are a marine aquarist, do purchase a copy because it is a well written book and the pictures of the many reef fish are breath taking! I was one of the fortunate few to observe some of the creatures in their own environment and the photos made me think I was there. Just an excellent book to have for your collection.
Rating:
Summary: Volume 2 is available
Review: It should be noted that you will find it on Amazon under the name "Basslets, Dottybacks & Hawkfishes: plus seven more aqarium fish families with expert captive care advice for the marine aquarist", but it's obviously Reef Fishes Vol 2 as confirmed by the Microcosm website.
Now we are all waiting volume 3 !!
Rating:
Summary: Volume 2 is available
Review: It should be noted that you will find it on Amazon under the name "Basslets, Dottybacks & Hawkfishes: plus seven more aqarium fish families with expert captive care advice for the marine aquarist", but it's obviously Reef Fishes Vol 2 as confirmed by the Microcosm website.
Now we are all waiting volume 3 !!
Rating:
Summary: Tremendous amount of information for the described specious.
Review: The book provides the readers with detail information in captive care, their natural habitat and specific behavior of each sub-catergories of marine fish specious, which is extremely important in understanding the fish and to provide them with a more suitable environment. This is the book every marine fish lover should consult before choosing any fish for their aquarium from the pet shop. This is important because no one should allow themself to become a fish killer if they possess the information to prevent making the wrong choices for their tank. I am looking forward to the second volumne to be in the market, because the volumne one does not cover many lovely specious especially the "Angel Fish".
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