CORAL FISH PB (Natural World Series)

Features

• Cover Type: Paperback with 112 pages
• Published by: Smithsonian March 17, 2001
• Written in: English
• ISBN 10 Number: 1560988185
• ISBN 13 Number: 978-1560988182
• Book Dimensions: 9.3 x 8.3 x 0.3 inches
• Weighs: 14.1 ounces

Product Description
Coral reefs host an array of life so starling and vast that scientists continue to discover new species of fish in these tropical ecosystems. Nearly four thousand species of fish as well as plants, anemones, sponges, turtles, and other animals colonize the shallow niches and the deeper, more sheltered areas of the reefs, which are made from coral skeletons. Self-contained yet sensitive to environmental change resulting from pollution, global climate shifts, overfishing, and unregulated tourism, coral reefs and their inhabitants fascinate marine biologists, conservationists, swimmers, and divers alike. In over one hundred color photographs, Coral Fish depicts the variety of fish supported by coral reefs around the world. Biology and award-winning photographer Linda Pitkin describes the ways in which fish have adapted to their environment, detailing each group's behaviors as well as their sizes, shapes, and colors. She looks at dainty butterflyfish and angelfish, slow but predatory groupers and basslets, agile wrasses, secretive blennies and gobies, and venomous scorpionfish as well as bottom dwelling and nocturnal fish. Providing an overview of coral reef formation and development, she explains the reef-building corals cannot live in water deeper than 164 feet or cooler than sixty-four degrees Fahrenheit and summarizes the threats to coral reef viability as well as steps toward conservation. Documenting the world of coral fish in this colorful and informative book, Linda Pitkin shows that coral reefs are important centers of biodiversity.

Reader Reviews
This book is about the diversity of fish in the tropics, from tiny gobies which can be just 1cm, to massive manta rays with a fin span of 6 metres! Linda Pitkin is an award winning underwater photographer, and also is a biologist interested in marine life. The book includes over 100 of her award winning and spectacular photographs. Highlights: - I particularly like the section about light organs on page 94, about Flashlightfishes that emit light to see and divers have said that the light appear to eerily float in mid-water. - I also really like the section on false eyes in "How do they protect themselves" on page 28. Critique: - I think that the photography in the book, taken by Linda Pitkin is really amazing. - I like the blue boxes of interesting information in the book. - The information is easy to understand and concise in each topic, not too technical - The book could have been longer! This is my only criticism! I would definitely recommend this book. It is really interesting and I have learnt a lot about coral fish from it!!! The pages are bright with clear, easy to understand text. The photography is amazing as well!!! I would rate this book ***** because it is really amazing!