Source: QLD Newsletter, Volume 12 No. 3, June 1996, page 7. Author: Dr. Gerald R. Allen, Tetra, 180pp. Reviewer: Bruce Hansen. View original scan (PDF)

“Rainbowfishes – In nature and in the Aquarium” by Dr. Gerald R. Allen has just been published by Tetra. It is a hard cover book containing 180 pages with full colour photographs. Recommended retail price is $45.00

The long-awaited successor to Gerry Allen’s previous book on this group has caught up on most of the many new discoveries, especially those from our mysterious near neighbour to the north.

This is intended to be, and succeeds as the definitive authority on Rainbowfishes by the world’s acknowledged expert in this field. The information is comprehensive and easily read and is accompanied by numerous colour photos by the author and several of the best fish photographers known – including Günther Schmida, Neil Armstrong, Rudie Kuiter, Heiko Bleher and H.J. Richter. Most of these are new views and many are “action shots” showing behavioural characteristics that add much interest.

The first 40 pages cover the general aspects of such topics as evolution, classification, aquarium care, breeding and health. The fishes themselves are grouped into 3 sections – Rainbowfishes of Australia, Rainbowfishes of New Guinea, Blue-eyes of Australia and New Guinea. Each species is fully covered with distribution maps, general features, aquarium care, breeding, distribution and habitat, and conservation status provided together with a colour photo and in most cases a habitat shot.

For most of us here in Australia, many of the beautiful PNG species are likely to stay “dream subjects” unless the import restrictions change. However it is wonderful to finally see them all together under the one cover instead of in a mental collation from the various ANGFA Conferences and publications over the years. For this we thank you Gerry!

Although overall this is a top effort I’m sure Tetra need to be taken to task for the many errors they allowed, especially in the photo captions. Hopefully any reprints will not need a page and a half of corrections.