Scott W. Michael Books

[dave.m]

I have a few of Scott Michael's books. I am already aware of their high quality, so I don't need any testimonials, thx. What I would like to ask is what the relationship is between his Reef Fishes books and the individual fish-types books. I already have the "Angelfishes & Butterflyfishes" and "Damselfishes & Anemonefishes" books. Should I stay with the books by individual fish types because the Reef Fishes books just rehash the same info, or should I also spring for the Reef Fishes books as having more/different/better info than the individual fish-type books? It would get pretty pricey to buy both types of books.

Thx,

Dave.M

 

[Sugar Magnolia]

I suppose it depends on how in depth you want to get for a specific species. I just keep the Reef Fishes book on hand to look up quick info.

 

[dave.m]

Adrienne, are you saying the Reef Fishes books are just a summary of the fish-by-type books?

Thx,

Dave.M

 

[jimroth]

I think the Reef Fishes Tangs and Surgeonfishes book will now never come out. So it's an incomplete set (which I love). Scott said Microcosm got cold feet.

 

[velvetelvis]

^That sucks. If anything, I would expect the tangs/surgeonfishes volume to be one of the more popular titles in the series.

I would definitely recommend the individual books if you have a special interest in a particular group of fishes, or if you're into biotope aquaria. The accounts for many species are more in-depth than the ones in the paperbacks and often include details about habitats.

 

[Wolverine]

Adrienne, are you saying the Reef Fishes books are just a summary of the fish-by-type books?

Thx,

Dave.M

Reef Fishes, Vol 1 was was originally to be the first book of a 3 book set (with a 4th picture compendium). The decided after that one to break it up into the more specific titles you've got, but with the same theme.

Marine Fishes and Aquarium Fishes are the pocketguides. They are a nice quick reference, but don't have nearly the detail of the larger books.

 

[dave.m]

Thx everyone for setting me straight. I have ordered the remaining books. It's a shame about the tang book. Imagine how great that one would have been.

Dave.M

 

[Elysia]

I think the Reef Fishes Tangs and Surgeonfishes book will now never come out. So it's an incomplete set (which I love). Scott said Microcosm got cold feet.

Wait - I thought that gobies was suppose to be the next volume. Was that volume published? And then blennies the next volume, and then tangs. I, too, have been waiting for these books to be published, along with a new edition of Borneman's Aquarium Corals. I refer to these books all the time. It kills me to not have additional information about the gobies.

I guess it is too much to expect Scott to produce a book to be printed on demand (I am guessing there is very little money in that.) Now I'm going to bed angry!