Detail:  This book is designed to be enjoyed by - and put to very good use by - anyone interested in the cichlids and other fishes of Lake Malawi in the African Rift Valley. It covers all aspects of Malawi cichlids, providing valuable information about their maintenance and breeding as well as descriptions of the fishes themselves and their niches in the lake. And of course this book is fully and beautifully illustrated, with photos mostly of the fishes, but with a sprinkling of interesting view of the lake and its people.

One of the biggest benefits of this book, and one of the things that sets it apart from most other books about the fishes of Lake Malawi, is that it has an added ring of authenticity beacause over 90% of the photos have been taken in Lake Malawi itself. This means that the fishes are seen at their true-to-life best, not as pale imitations - and of course it means also that accuracy of identification is preserved.

The beauty of the photos and their utility as identification guides, coupled with the interesting and informative text, breathe into this book a feeling enthusiasm that will be transmitted to every reader. More than just a great book about a fascinating topic, this is an experience in aquaristic joy.