Fish ID book recommendations.

[Skookumchuck]

I'm heading to Bonaire for two weeks in November and would like to buy a book to help me identify the different species of fish. Any recommendations?

 

[Scuba_Jenny]

Reef ID books are the "bible" of fish ID
Amazon.com: Reef Fish Identification "3'rd Edition" by Paul Humann: Sports & Outdoors

 

[doctormike]

Reef ID books are the "bible" of fish ID
Amazon.com: Reef Fish Identification "3'rd Edition" by Paul Humann: Sports & Outdoors

1+ on that... nothing else comes close IMHO. They just came out with a terrific volume on fish behavior as well...

 

[reefduffer]

Agreement here on the Humann & DeLoach books. Note there is a set of three ID books for the caribbean: fish, creature, and coral. They have multiple versions, you can get an older one cheaper but know what you're getting. And the behavior book is great, but it's copyright 1999, hardly "just out", unless there's a new version I didn't see.

The books are great, but they are heavy. I own both the Fish ID and Behavior book, but recently have left them home on caribbean dive trips because of luggage restrictions. Can't take everything. And most dive shops/resorts will have a dog-eared copy of at least the big fish ID book you can look at.

A compromise is the waterproof "Cliff Notes" version, Amazon.com: Reef Fish in a Pocket Identification Book: Sports & Outdoors

But... If you're already traveling with a laptop, you should consider this: ReefNet Inc. | Reef Fish Identification - Interactive Edition
Note they (Reefnet) also have the books, but not as cheap as Amazon.
Edit: Amazon has the DVD as well, http://www.amazon.com/Reef-Fish-Ide...=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1283054169&sr=8-1 no discount but free shipping.

 

[jghflash]

.......and while you are spending money on the three Humann & DeLoach books referenced above (which are great!), their book on Reef Fish Behavior as well. Some of the crazy things you see fish do begin to make a lot more sense after reading that.

 

[saylke]

I'd highly recommend the "Dive with the Naturalist" class offered by Bonaire Dive & Adventure if you're really into identifying fish & critters. He not only gives you a quick crash course in species present in Bonaire but sheds light on fish behavior which is fun to observe once you know what they are doing.

Bonaire Dive and Adventure

 

[Mossman]

[post removed]

 

[Skookumchuck]

Thanks for all the advise. Looks like the Human and Deloach books are the way to go and maybe the Franko's maps recommendation that was here earlier. Saylke, we are definitely going to take the naturalist class. I've heard only good things about it and am looking forward to it.

 

[DeputyDan]

I'd highly recommend the "Dive with the Naturalist" class offered by Bonaire Dive & Adventure if you're really into identifying fish & critters. He not only gives you a quick crash course in species present in Bonaire but sheds light on fish behavior which is fun to observe once you know what they are doing.

Bonaire Dive and Adventure

I have personally taken Jerry's class and it is so worth the cost. I clicked on this web to recommend that you take his class but saylke beat me to it.

Enjoy Bonaire....

 

[b1gcountry]

I've taken Jerry's class three times so far, and we've learned something new each time. You can also hire him as a guide for the day, and he will show you a bunch of cool stuff.

The Reef Set has great information. Very encyclopedic. They are my primary reference.

Reef Life is a little more educational about the big picture stuff. Easy to read through, and some very pretty pictures too. I would definitely recommend for someone who not only wants to know what something is, but also where it fits into the ecosystem as a whole.

Amazon.com: Reef Life: Natural History and Behaviors of Marine Fishes and Invertebrates (9781890087555): Denise Nielsen Tackett, Larry Tackett: Books