Smiths' sea fishes

In this comprehensive scientific guide to the fishes found in the oceans around southern Africa, professor Margaret Smith and her collaborators has organized and motivated a team of 72 distinguished ichthyologists from 15 different countries to provide this unique, authoritative and superbly illustrated work of reference. Several skilled artists and photographers have also contributed to the numerous and beautiful illustrations. Smith' Sea Fishes provides the means of identifying all the fishes known to occur in these waters. Diagnostic features, size and distribution are given for every species. Of the 15 species described, over 1500 are illustrated in full color, thus making positive recognition extremely easy. Nine years in the making, this book is the result of the biggest international collaboration effort on a biological science project ever undertaken in Africa and reflects the high international scientific reputation of the Institute of Ichthyology in Grahamtown, South Africa. For many commercial fish species of interest to anglers, there is additional information on biology, habitat, capture and angling records. Introductory chapters discuss fish anatomy and biology, dangers of sea, scientific nomenclature and the oceanography of the region. The dramatic advance in the science of ichthyology worldwide has resulted in this present volume describing almost twice as many fishes as than the old publication of 1949. This book is an indispensable work of reference for everyone whose profession or hobby concerns marine fishes, particularly those who are directly concerned with the fishes found in the oceans around southern Africa.