The Best Books About Fish: Reviewed and Ranked

Knowledge is key, especially when it comes to learning more about fish, whether you are interested in learning more about the fish species you own in your aquarium, or you love learning more about fish.

What better way to learn about fish than from books? There are plenty of fish books that offer you knowledge on the different types of fish, their care requirements, and how you can care for them in an aquarium. There are books on freshwater and marine fish, the different fish in the ocean, and tropical and cold-water fish. The list is endless, and there is a book available for everyone.

We have compiled a list of some of the best fish books you can find that we believe you will enjoy. These books are guaranteed to pique your interest and provide you with more knowledge on fish and aquatics.

A-Z Animals Top Picks for Books About Fish

#1 Best Overall: 500 Freshwater Aquarium Fish by Greg Jennings

The best overall fish book we have reviewed in this article is 500 Freshwater Aquarium Fish by Greg Jennings.

This book features 528 pages of information on the different freshwater fish that you will find in both the aquarium hobby and the wild. It’s easy to read and navigate while providing you with knowledge on some of the most popular freshwater fish, with information on their dietary requirements, behavior, breeding, and recommendations on setting up a freshwater aquarium. You will find this book available as both a hardcover and paperback, and it is highly rated.

This is the latest edition, and about 120 of the fish’s names have been updated in accordance with the latest updates and DNA information. It includes information on fish such as cichlids, catfish, cyprinids, gourami, and livebearers to name a few. If you are a beginner interested in learning more about freshwater aquarium fish, then this is definitely a book you want to check out.

However, this book is only pocket-sized. Also, some of the photos are not of the best quality.

Pros and Cons of 500 Freshwater Aquarium Fish by Greg Jennings

Best Overall

500 Freshwater Aquarium Fish

• Easy to read and navigate while providing you with knowledge
• This is the latest edition
• Available as both a hardcover and paperback and it is highly rated

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2. Best for Affordability: The World Encyclopedia of Fish and Shellfish by Daniel Gilpin, Amy-Jane Beer, and Derek Hall

The most affordable book on the list is The World Encyclopedia of Fish and Shellfish by Daniel Gilpin, Amy-Jane Beer, and Derek Hall.

This highly-rated book is available as a hardcover with 512 pages of information on 1,250 different marine and freshwater fish species. It covers the different species and a natural history introduction with a detailed guide to the diverse life of fish found in ponds, lakes, rivers, and oceans around the world, all for an affordable price.

This is a great book if you are looking to expand your knowledge on the different fish species that can be found across the globe and learn about the fascinating waters they inhabit, with the bonus of colorful pictures to help you not only learn more about the specific fish species but also give you a visual on how they look.

Pros and Cons of The World Encyclopedia of Fish and Shellfish by Daniel Gilpin, Amy-Jane Beer, and Derek Hall

Best for Affordability

The World Encyclopedia Of Fish and Shellfish

• Over 500 pages of information on 1250 different marine and freshwater fish species
• Great book if you are looking to expand your knowledge on the different fish species

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3. Best for Aquarium Keepers: Encyclopedia of Aquarium and Pond Fish by David Alderton

In our opinion, the best book for aquarium keepers is Encyclopedia of Aquarium and Pond Fish by David Alderton.

Available in Kindle, hardcover, and paperback editions, this detailed and highly-rated 400-page book on aquarium and pond fish written by David Alderton has all the information you need on choosing the right fish for different water temperatures. It is a must-read for beginner aquarium keepers and provides plenty of information on indoor tropical aquariums, cold-water aquariums, and outdoor ponds along with fish species that will do best in the different environments.

It goes into detail on the different aquarium set-ups, along with feeding and caring for pet fish, with color photographs for reference and what food the fish eat, how to successfully breed them, and the type of water temperature and the environment they need to thrive.

However, although this book is a great starting point, some reviewers feel that it is not detailed enough to be a fully comprehensive guide.

Pros and Cons of Encyclopedia of Aquarium and Pond Fish by David Alderton

Best for Aquarium Keepers

Encyclopedia of Aquarium and Pond Fish

• Available in both a Kindle and paperback edition
• Must-read for beginner aquarium-keepers

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4. Best for Kids: Fish For Kids: A Junior Scientist’s Guide to Diverse Habitats, Colorful Species, and Life Underwater by Kevin Kurtz

If you are looking for a book for your kids then we suggest Fish For Kids: A Junior Scientist’s Guide to Diverse Habitats, Colorful Species, and Life Underwater by Kevin Kurtz.

This book provides information on the diverse habitats of fish. It features interactive learning and complete fish identification profiles on freshwater and saltwater fish. It has 88 pages of easy-to-read texts and colorful illustrations of fish such as goldfish, neon tetras, great white sharks, and even eels. Your kids will be intrigued by the knowledge this book has for young minds, along with activities and tips for keeping your own aquarium if you are interested in fueling your kid’s passion for learning about fish and their habitats. This book is suitable for children aged between eight and 11 years old. Plus, there are Kindle, paperback, and hardcover editions available.

Unfortunately, some customers feel that this book is a little too wordy for young children.

Pros and Cons of Fish For Kids: A Junior Scientist’s Guide to Diverse Habitats, Colorful Species, and Life Underwater by Kevin Kurtz

Best for Kids

Fish for Kids: A Junior Scientist’s Guide to Diverse Habitats, Colorful Species, and Life Underwater

• Provides information on the diverse habitats of fish
• Filled with fun facts
• 88 pages of easy-to-read texts and colorful illustrations of fish

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5. Best About Marine Fish: Marine Fishes: 500+ Essential-to-Know Aquarium Species by Scott W. Michael

The best book about marine fish is Marine Fishes: 500+ Essential-to-Know Aquarium Species by Scott W. Michael.

This highly-rated book is available as a paperback and includes 448 pages of information and full-color pictures on the different marine aquarium fish species written by Scott W. Michael. It’s a field guide to marine fishes that do well in aquariums, with information on identifying, buying, and keeping over 500 different saltwater species.

The book has been written by aquarium professionals and a team of marine enthusiasts, so you will be getting detailed knowledge of marine fish species. It goes into detail on the minimum aquarium sizes for each fish, their dietary requirements, and reef aquarium compatibility. All 29 major marine fish families are included in the book, such as angelfish, cardinal fish, triggerfish, wrasses, and surgeon fish.

However, it should be noted that this book is only a pocket-sized guide.

Pros and Cons of Marine Fishes: 500+ Essential-to-Know Aquarium Species by Scott W. Michael

Best About Marine Fish

Marine Fishes: 500+ Essential-To-Know Aquarium Species

• Written by aquarium professionals
• 448 pages of information and pictures on the different marine aquarium fish species

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6. Best About Reef Fish: A Field Guide to Tropical Reef Fishes of the Indo-Pacific by Gerald R Allen (Author), Roger Swainston (Illustrator), and Jill Ruse (Illustrator)

In our opinion, the best book about reef fish is A Field Guide to Tropical Reef Fishes of the Indo-Pacific by Gerald R Allen (Author), Roger Swainston (Illustrator), and Jill Ruse (Illustrator).

This 316-page book on the different tropical reef fishes written by Gerald R. Allen is fully illustrated and is the fifth edition of the book that has been revised. It has trusted knowledge and has become a standard reference for anglers, scientists, and divers for over 30 years. This new edition covers around 1,670 different species of fish that inhabit the tropical seas of Southeast Asia, Australia, and the Southern Pacific Islands.

It is informative and provides in-depth detail on the classification of different fish, the behavior and ecology of reef fish, along with biology of tropical reef fish. Each fish species covered in this book includes full-color illustrations by a marine artist and each illustration shows both male and female examples of the fish.

The only drawback to this book is that most of the images are illustrations rather than actual photographs.

Pros and Cons of A Field Guide to Tropical Reef Fishes of the Indo-Pacific by Gerald R Allen (Author), Roger Swainston (Illustrator), and Jill Ruse (Illustrator)

Best About Reef Fish

A Field Guide to Tropical Reef Fishes of the Indo-Pacific

• A standard reference for anglers, scientists, and divers for over 30 years
• Provides in-depth detail on the classification of different fish, the behavior and ecology of reef fishes

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Choosing the Best: What to Look For

Before purchasing a fish book, you should first consider these two factors: the type and illustrations in the book.

Type

Each fish book will contain information on various different fish species, their ecology, characteristics, and information on their natural habitats. The type of fish book you buy is important because the topic should interest you. If you are looking for a book that goes into detail on freshwater aquarium fish, then a book on tropical reef fish may not interest you. Whereas if you are looking for a book for kids, then you should choose a book that is kid-friendly and is easy to read, and filled with activities and information that will appeal to kids.

Illustrations

Some books can go into so much detail, that it can become a bore or difficult to read if the information is not broken up with pictures to give you a visual of the fish, their habitat, and what the author is writing about. If you are someone who enjoys looking at pictures of fish, you may want to consider purchasing a fish book that includes pictures for reference.