A beautifully illustrated guide to the diverse and numerous freshwater
fish species in Virginia.
In Field Guide to Freshwater Fishes of Virginia, the foremost experts
on Commonwealth fishes bring their decades of field experience to
readers, offering a complete reference to the fishes of the entire state
of Virginia. Gathering information that until now could only be found
scattered across numerous reference works and online databases, this
book provides everything you need to know to identify fish families and
species in the Virginia region.
Covering how to collect, handle, observe, conserve, and protect these
unique fishes, the book's key features include
- more than 175 vibrant, full-color illustrations, set side by side
with descriptions of each fish
- helpful line drawings that depict the most reliable diagnostic
characteristics for field identifications (e.g., snout shape, pigment
patterns, mouth morphology)
- descriptions of Virginia's freshwater habitats
- examples of incredible fish spawning and feeding behavior
- tips on observing fish in the wild and in captivity
- a chapter on the taxonomy of family and common names of the fish
species most common throughout Virginia
- up-to-date fish distribution maps
- a complete glossary of terms
Providing a fascinating foray into the wonders of the Commonwealth's
swimmers, Field Guide to Freshwater Fishes of Virginia will appeal to
scientists, naturalists, teachers, native fish aquarists, students,
anglers, and fish collectors.
