Биология
Различные книги в жанре БиологияGarden Ponds
In this colorful Garden Ponds Made Easy title, authors Dennis Kelsey-Wood and Tom Barthell have provided an essential guide for first-time pond enthusiasts. The authors outline all of the considerations for starting out with a new pond, including determining the site, style, size of the pond, and deciding on the construction of the pond (whether preformed, concrete, or fiberglass). Garden Ponds offers a chapter on water which discusses water chemistry factors, volume of the pond, and pond surface. Other important factors involve the aeration, filtration, drainage, and maintenance of a clean (algae-free) pond. Special features, including waterfalls, fountains, and watercourses, electricity, and landscaping are addressed in detail, all accompanied by color photographs and drawings. A chapter on pond construction details every step of the project from creating a blueprint to securing the foundation. The infinite choices involved with stocking the pond with fish and plants can be overwhelming for the first-time pond owner, and the authors give excellent advice about making smart choices for a harmonious, beautiful garden pond. A special chapter on seasonal pond care gives the pond keeper recommendations for maintaining the pond all year long. Resources and glossary included.
Marine Aquariums
Author Ray Hunziker, longtime editor of Tropical Fish Hobbyist magazine and lifelong fish keeper, is the ideal tutor for aquarists looking to take a dive into the saltwater end of the tank! Marine Aquariums begins with a discussion of seawater and water quality, the most critical part of keeping marine fishes happily swimming (and breathing) in their tank. Hunziker continues with a step-by-step explanation of setting up a marine aquarium, discussing aquarium types, the number of fishes for the size tank selected, siting the tank, stands, substrates, temperature, lighting, filtration and décor.The chapter on stocking and maintaining the tank discussing purchasing healthy, vibrant fish, acclimatizing them to the tank, feeding them, and monitoring the tank on a regular basis. An elaborate chapter on the various types of saltwater fishes available, “Ideal Fish for Your Marine Aquarium, “details and illustrates nearly 70 fishes divided into the following categories: moray eels, squirrelfish and soldierfish, lion fish, groupers, cardinalfish, butterflyfish, angelfish, damselfish, hawkfish, wrasses, jawfish, gobies, surgeonfish, and triggerfish. The final chapter discusses keeping fish healthy, including the signs of illness, treating various ailments, and setting up a quarantine tank for affected fish. Resources, glossary, index included.
Livebearers
Livebearers focuses on four families of fish which contain many of the most attractive and popular species in the tropical fish hobby today, including guppies, mollies, swordtails, and platies. The families include Goodeidae (Mexican livebearers), Anablepidae (four-eyes and others), Poeciliidae (guppies and others); and Hemirhamphidae (halfbeaks). Author David Alderton explains that hobbyists have applied the term livebearer to these four families for convenience even though there are fourteen families in the wild that reproduce by bearing live young. The chapter “Where in the World?” focuses on the natural history of these families, their distribution, and lifestyles. Hobbyists looking to begin an aquarium of livebearers or to expand their existing communities will find useful information in the chapter called “The Different Groups,” in which Alderton discusses age considerations, health matters, and sex. The chapter also describes the four families and the most common genus/species of each. Included are sixteen representatives of the Family Goodeidae (e.g., Allodontichth, Characodon, and Skiffia), three genus of the Family Anablepidae (Anableps, Jenynsia, and Oxyzgonectes), twenty-six representatives of the Family Poeciliidae (e.g., Belonesox, Fiexipenis, and Limia); and three genus of the Family Hemirhamphidae (Dermogenys, Hemirhamphodon, and Namorhamphus).This colorful, user-friendly guide offers basic information on the anatomical characteristics, housing options, required aquarium equipment for livebearers as well as their feeding habits and food requirements (greenstuff, carotene-rich foods, live foods, meat, etc.). The breeding habits of livebearers have ensured their popularity with hobbyists, and the chapter on reproduction describes the various breeding habits of livebearers and outlines successful breeding strategies for interested hobbyists. In the chapter on health care, the author offers solid advice about caring for livebearers to maximize their lifespan in captivity, which is typically only a few years. He also gives information on signs of illness and some basic diseases that can be treated by the fish keeper.The final chapter offers photographs and distribution maps for sixteen popular livebearers of all four families, including information on size, physical description, natural habitat and behavior, and required aquarium conditions. The author’s livebearer hit parade includes the butterfly goodeid, rainbow goodeid, black-finned goodea, four-eyed fish, guppy (millions fish), black molly, sailfin molly, swordtail, platy (moonfish), mosquito fish (dwarf and large), humpbacked (black-barred) limia, black-bellied limia, pike livebearer (piketop minnow), knife (Alfaro’s) livebearer, and wrestling halfbeak. Resources, glossary, and index included.
Bettas and Gouramis
David Alderton’s investigation of anabantoids, the Asiatic gouramis—the bettas and gouramis, including Siamese fighting fish, paradisefish, kissing gouramis, begins with a look at the origins of these adaptable and widely varying fishes in their Asiatic homelands, where they’ve been popular for hundreds of years. Given the considerable size range of this group of fishes, from the tiny licorice gourami (only 1.5 in or 4 cm in length) to the giant gourami (about 28 in or 70 cm), there are great differences to be considered by the fish keeper, all of which are addressed by Alderton in this color guide. The anabantoids is also a large group of fishes, with one hundred varieties/species available in most pet and hobby stores. The book provides photographs and images of dozens of the most popular examples.Chapter two is devoted to “The Different Groups,” and the author explains how the classifications of anabantoids work and then proceeds to discuss the members of each family. In all, eighteen genuses are described in detail, including their natural ranges, physical characteristics, abilities, behaviors, and breeding facts. The author discusses the specific traits of the anabantoids, including their unique labyrinth organs, swim bladders, hearing ability, lateral line, and locomotion.The section on care discusses the selection and positioning of the aquarium, planting, flooring, water, filtration, heating, and lighting. The guide gives specific advice on feeding habits and food, including foraging and hunting techniques of certain anabantoids and the various kinds of food (prepared diets, green food, live food) that are best for individual species. For readers interested in breeding bettas and gouramis, the chapter on reproduction will prove exceptionally helpful, giving expert guidance on preparing for and encouraging spawning behavior, nest building, and rearing the fry. The author also provides information on color genetics for breeding Betta splendens.The general health of the Asian gouramis is covered in a chapter called “Lifespan and Diseases,” including a primer on preventing and managing parasitic illness, bacterial and fungal diseases, dietary problems, and more. In the book’s final chapter “Popular Anabantoids,” the author presents a full-page of text and photographs for twenty-six different species of the families Belontiidae, Anabantidae, Osphronemidae, Helostomatidae, and Luciocephalidae. Resources and glossary conclude the volume.
Freshwater Aquariums
For beginning aquatic fancier looking to start out right with fish, Freshwater Aquariums by David Alderton is the ideal primer. A vertebrate that breathe primarily by means of gills and swim by means of fins is the author’s lead-in to the first chapter called “What are Fish?” Alderton builds the reader’s confidence by providing solid information about what fish are anatomically speaking, how they evolved, how they breathe, how they move, where they live, and how they behave.The new fancier’s aquarium begins in chapter two with instructions on setting up the tank, including selecting the right size, figuring out how many fish, setting the tank, equipment, substrate, heating, lighting, filtrations, plants, water chemistry, assembly, and more.Choosing the freshwater fishes that appeal to the reader is the subject of “Introducing the Categories of Fish,” which schools readers in seven categories: Cyprinids (e.g., goldfish, minnows, and barbs), Characins (e.g., tetras), Cichlids (e.g., oscars, angelfish, and discus), Anabantoids (gouramis, bettas/Siamese fighting fish, and paradise fish), Toothcarps (guppies, swordtails, platies, black mollies, and killifish), Catfish, and others (loaches and Chinese algae eaters). The purchasing, maintenance, and feeding of fish are described in considerable details, and the author gives a basic overview of breeding and keeping fish healthy as well. Resources, glossary, and index conclude the book.
Cichlids
One of the most popular choices for home aquariums, CICHLIDS come in a variety of colors, shapes, and sizes. From the Fish Keeping Made Easy series, this book covers diet and nutrition, recognizing and treating illness, biology, breeding and more.
Marc Morrone's Ask the Bird Keeper
Made famous on The Martha Stewart Show on television and Sirius radio, Marc Morrone is front and center to answer his viewers’ (and his readers’) many questions about their favorite pets. In Ask the Bird Keeper, Marc’s quirky, entertaining personality shines on every page as he spews out his wisdom, know-how, and hilarious anecdotes to answer dozens of questions. Divided into nine chapters, this book offers answers on hundreds of topics about feeding, housing, training, healthy, anatomy, and everyday care. In the “Food” chapter—from grit to grub—Marc discusses dietary changes, supplements, people food, and different kinds of diets. A chapter devoted to accommodations talks about various cage options, choosing the right size cage and equipment, and cleaning tips. Positive reinforcement underscores Marc’s chapter “School,” in which he lectures on bonding, hyperactive, noise issues, and challenging bird behaviors. As a self-taught bird keeper, Marc’s chapter on “Health” is a true primer in what owners can and cannot do, from first aid tips and trimming (nails, beaks, feathers) to broken tails, parasites, parrot fever and bird flu. While Marc is often laugh-out-loud funny in all of the chapters, it is his genuine admiration and respect for his avian friends that make this book a unique resource for all pet lovers. Fill with real first-hand information and reliable tips, readers will be laughing and learning in equal measure! The book is beautifully designed and illustrated with color photographs as well as original artwork by Jason O’Malley.
Marc Morrone's Ask the Cat Keeper
Made famous on The Martha Stewart Show on television and Sirius radio, Marc Morrone is front and center to answer his viewers’ (and his readers’) many questions about their favorite pets. In Ask the Cat Keeper, Marc’s quirky, entertaining personality shines on every page as he spews out his wisdom, know-how, and hilarious anecdotes to answer dozens of questions. Cat owners will learn about topics ranging from feeding and grooming to behavior and trick training. In the chapter called “Food,” Marc discusses types of food, feline nutrition, fad diets, overfeeding, and fussy eaters. In “Potty,” Marc covers every possible issue concerning litter-box training cats, from toxoplasmosis and toilet training to odor management for multi-cat households and males’ marking indoors. Whether you’re interested in vaccines, allergies, anatomy, bathing, or annoying feline behaviors, Ask the Cat Keeper covers it and much more. While Marc is often laugh-out-loud funny in all of the chapters, it is his genuine admiration and respect for felines that make this book a unique resource for all cat lovers. Fill with real first-hand information and reliable tips, readers will be laughing and learning in equal measure! The book is beautifully designed and illustrated with color photographs as well as original artwork by Jason O’Malley.
Marc Morrone's Ask the Fish Keeper
Made famous on The Martha Stewart Show on television and Sirius radio, Marc Morrone is front and center to answer his viewers’ (and his readers’) many questions about their favorite pets. In Ask the Fish Keeper, Marc’s quirky, entertaining personality shines on every page as he spews out his wisdom, know-how, and hilarious anecdotes to answer dozens of questions.Divided into ten chapters, Marc tackles a range of topics from flakes, flies, and feeder fish in the “Food” chapter and cycling, changing water, and testing in the “Water” chapter to complete chapters dedicated to fish health, care, filters, and fish behavior. For fish keepers interested in either marine or freshwater fishes, there are specific chapters dedicated to both, covering topics tank setup, equipment, parasite, and favorite species.While Marc is often laugh-out-loud funny in all of the chapters, it is his genuine admiration of all kinds of fishes and animals in general that makes this book a unique resource for all pet lovers. Fill with real first-hand information and reliable tips, readers will be laughing and learning in equal measure! The book is beautifully designed and illustrated with color photographs as well as original artwork by Jason O’Malley.
Marc Morrone's Ask the Dog Keeper
Made famous on The Martha Stewart Show on television and Sirius radio, Marc Morrone is front and center to answer his viewers’ (and his readers’) many questions about their favorite pets. In Ask the Dog Keeper, Marc’s quirky, entertaining personality shines on every page as he spews out his wisdom, know-how, and hilarious anecdotes to answer dozens of questions. In the chapter on food, Marc responds to common questions about the kinds of diet that are best, treats, overeating, fussy eaters, human foods, fasting, and others. In a chapter unceremoniously titled “Poop,” Marc discusses house-training problems and difficulties commonly encountered by dog owners. In “School,” Marc leads the class by teaching his readers about the easiest ways to teach the hardest commands and how to remedy challenging behavioral issues. Other topics covered in the book are health, hygiene, safety, traveling, and much more. While Marc is often laugh-out-loud funny in all of the chapters, it is his genuine admiration and respect for his canines that make this book a unique resource for all dog lovers. Fill with real first-hand information and reliable tips, readers will be laughing and learning in equal measure! The book is beautifully designed and illustrated with color photographs as well as original artwork by Jason O’Malley.