This authoritative encyclopedia--revised and updated to reflect the latest developments in current fishkeeping technology and technique-- takes a fresh look at the popular topic of setting up and maintaining a tropical freshwater aquarium.

It begins with guiding hobbyists, especially novices, through the first steps. This begins with determining the most suitable aquarium and accessories by referring to the equipment section of the book. The substrate and "life support" systems are the first items installed. Two weeks later, the first fish are added. At this time, the book provides detailed descriptions of 50 suitable plants and 100 recommended species of fish from which the hobbyist can choose.

During the next ten weeks, the tank turns from an artificial environment into a living community. This is a crucial period in the life of a new aquarium often beset with problems that fishkeepers find alarming. Throughout this section, the emphasis is on providing the answers to common questions and offering practical advice to keep the system working smoothly.