A COMPLETE GUIDE TO THE FRESHWATER FISHES OF SOUTHERN AFRICA
By Paul H. Skelton
Illustrated by Dave Voorvelt and Elizabeth Tarr
Tiny bumps to corners otherwise a very good clean copy of the very scarce hardback edition.
From the collection of well-known big game and saltwater angler Jack Reece, with his angling bookplate to the front paste-down.
1993 1st edition. Hardback issue. 8vo (142 x 220mm). Ppxiv,388. Colour illustrations by Dave Voorvelt and Elizabeth Tarr, line drawings, distribution maps. Pictorial laminated boards illustrated with colour painting by Dave Voorvelt.
Pictures show the actual copy being offered for sale.
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Published simultaneously in both hardback and paperback. Both issues have become quite scarce though the hardback issue is particularly hard to find.
"A Complete Guide to the Freshwater Fishes of Southern Africa fills a major gap in southern Africa's natural history literature. For the first time anglers and naturalists can find all they need to know about freshwater fishes in this user-friendly guide to southern Africa's 245 species. All indigenous and introduced species are included as well as 29 marine and estuarine species commonly found in freshwater habitats. For each species the following information is provided: A meticulously detailed painting; A distribution map; Symbols indicating size, conservation status and uses; A description of the fish, its distribution, biology, ecology and uses; For angling species the appropriate angling technique is indicated; English, Afrikaans and scientific names for each species; Keys to families, genera and species help the angler or naturalist to identify species. Introductory chapters introduce the reader to issues such as freshwater fish habitats, the factors that influence their distribution, their anatomy, ecology and biology, conservation and the interaction between humans and fishes. Dr Paul Skelton, who was born in Johannesburg, is the curator of freshwater fishes at the JLB Smith Institute of Ichthyology in Grahamstown. He has done extensive work on the systematics and conservation of African freshwater fishes and he has published numerous articles and addressed international conferences on these topics." (Publisher's blurb).
Contents include:- Foreword; The J.L.B. Smith Institute of Ichthyology; Acknowledgements; How to use this book; An introduction to freshwater fishes of Southern Africa; INTRODUCTION - A brief history of southern African freshwater ichthyology; Geographical background; Aquatic systems and habitats; Factors affecting fish distribution; What is a fish?; Aspects of biology and ecology; Fishes and man in southern Africa; Threatened fishes and conservation; Classification, taxonomy and nomenclature; Collection, preservation and measurement; Southern African freshwater fishes: introduction and classification; Key to families; SPECIES ACCOUNTS - Protopteridae - African lungfishes; Mormyridae - snoutfishes; Megalopidae - tarpons; Anguillidae - freshwater eels; Clupeidae - herrings; Kneriidae - knerias; Cyprinidae - barbs, yellowfishes, labeos; Distichodontidae - citharines; Characidae - characins; Hespetidae - African pike; Suborder Siluroidei - catfishes; Claroteidae - claroteid catfishes; Austroglanididae - rock catfishes; Amphiliidae - mountain catfishes; Schilbeidae - butter catfishes; Clariidae - air-breathing catfishes; Malapteruridae - electric catfishes; Mochokidae - squeakers, suckermouth catlets; Galaxiidae - galaxiids; Salmonidae - trouts; Order Cyprinodontiformes - killifishes, topminnows; Aplocheilidae - annual killifishes; Cyprinodontidae - topminnows; Poeciliidae - live-bearers; Spiny-rayed fishes; Centrarchidae - sunfishes; Percidae - perches; Cichlidae - cichlids; Anabantidae - labyrinth fishes; Mastacembelidae - spiny eels; Coastal and estuarine species that may occur in freshwaters; Carcharhinidae - requiem sharks; Pristidae - sawfishes; Ambassidae - glassies; Atherinidae - silversides; Mugilidae - mullets; Syngnathidae - pipefishes; Sparidae - seabreams; Monodactylidae - moonies; Eleotridae - sleepers; Gobiidae - gobies; Glossary; Selected references and reading list; Useful addresses; Index to scientific and common names.