Page 12 - Encyclopedia of Aquarium and Pond Fish, 3rd Edition

10 PREFACE

Preface

Starting with a blank sheet of paper creates both challenges and encyclopedia. I hope that this index will form a useful reference
possibilities, and planning this book proved no exception! The resource in its own right and help to overcome the confusion
greatest headache when embarking on such a venture is choosing caused by the widespread use of different names to describe the
which species to include. Our selection is based on international same species in books, in magazines, and on the Internet.
trade data collated by the Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council Another unique feature of this encyclopedia, achieved with
(PIJAC) of the United States. This novel approach should ensure the help of Max Gibbs’s superb photography, is the behavioral
comprehensive coverage of the species most commonly sold by studies that run through the directory sections. Understanding
aquarium stores, while also allowing for the inclusion of some of more about the lifestyles of fish will not only give you greater
the more unusual species that occasionally become available. confidence as an aquarist but also help you to get the most out
Having selected the fish, invertebrates, and plants, the next of this fascinating, rewarding, and immensely enjoyable hobby.
problem was to decide what to call them. This may seem a rather In this current edition, the latest accepted scientific names
bizarre statement, but a single species may have eight or more have been incorporated, along with other changes, in terms of
scientific names, each of which has its own supporters, and distribution information and common names, too, relating to
a similar number of common names. As a result, we have the fish, invertebrates, and plants, so the text is as up-to-date as
incorporated a wide range of alternative names—both possible. New innovations in the hobby, such as digital aquarium
scientific and common— into the name index at the back of the controls, have also been introduced.

David Alderton

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