This book is good without being brilliant. It is generally informative, but fails to go into any depth on any topic whatsoever.

I was hoping that it would tell me tank conditions, diet, statistics etc. on the species mentioned, but found that it was so general to be of any real use in a practical situation.

The photography is very good and the book can be used as an 'I Spy' book for common and uncommon (as opposed to rare) new world and african cichlids, as I have done on numerous occasions.

Under each species, there is an article giving diet, compatability etc. but the book fails to be specific as to ideal tank conditions relying largely on sweeping generalizations of the fish's habitat (along the lines of - 'seasonal - from ph6.0 to 8.5' sort of thing).

The first third of the book is given over to general fishkeeping, and it is in this section that it is at its strongest giving, as it does, specific advice without the 'wooliness' of the species section.

Overall, a good reference book that makes a good bedtime read.