Reef Fishes Corals and Invertebrates of the Caribbean

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View books by Elizabeth Wood, Lawson Wood.

A compact addition to your diving equipment - Rated
This is an identification guide for snorkellers and divers in the Caribbean, giving an overview of the marine life likely to be encountered. The choice of species is consequently necessarily selective rather than all inclusive, over 250 species being described and illustrated photographically. The text is informative, being well-written by authors who know their subject. The photographs are generally of high quality with some showing common colour variations of various fish species.
The book is subdivided into an initial section giving a brief marine geography of the region, including sensible advice on conservation awareness and dangers of the reef. There , then follows a series of line drawings categorising fish into broad identification groups and subsequently families, acting as a quick reference guide. The rest of the book is devoted to species descriptions falling into 6 main categories- seagrasses; algae; invertebrates; fish (the largest section); turtles; and dolphins. Each species is given a brief description with some details of its ecology. In addition, symbols are used as a quick visual indication to the habit, diet and habitat of the fish depicted.
I was left wanting a little more, but the Oxford photographic guide for British waters has set a difficult standard to match and the scope of Caribbean reef life is far broader. However, this is a handbook for use in the "field" and not an exhaustive reference book, so making it a manageable adddition to your diving equipment.