Has information on conditions that aquarium plants require, planting and propagation methods, pruning techniques, maintenance, etc. There are several nice spreads showing what plant selections would go nicely together according to needs (water hardness) or a biotope display. Second half of the book is plant profiles. Nice clear pictures although sometimes the little informational snippets in the margins don't actually correlate to the part of the picture indicated, which I found kind of amusing.

I did encounter some new plants here that I've never heard of, and learned why a few of mine haven't done well. There are over a hundred and fifty species profiled in this book, but it seems to be an abbreviated version. The author has published another, much more extensive aquatic plant encyclopedia and that's the one I really want to have on my shelf.

from the Dogear Diary ( )

A lovely concise book on the use of fresh water aquarium plants. The photos are beautiful for identification. Much information about correct planting and care of said plants. A very worthwhile volume for my aquarium book resources. ( )

This book barely covers just a few native North American plants.Its still useful for general aquatic plant care. With the exclusive use of scientific names, the book misses the beginning aquarium enthusianst and excludes those setting up native fish aquariums with native plants.

That said, if a person sticks to stores and homes, never actually going streamside, he or she can use the plant care information in the book, and the exotic lands aquatic landscaping, and possibly the scientifid names. Neither of the two most abundant aquatic plants of the Texas hill country streams are covered at all. The most aboundant Texas aquatic plant is mentioned in just one sentance in the text, by its its scientific name so most Texans will probably not find it unless they find the single word in the index that does identify it.

If your fish and pants come straight from the store to your house, and you are mainly interested in tropical places, you might find this book usefull. ( )