Native ID book

[Ownager2004]

Id like to get a book to help me ID some native fish in my area. Im thinking about starting a native tank. I already know the common name of most but I want to get to know the ones I dont. Particuarly the fish that inhabit the small streams and creeks in my area.

I was thinking about getting this book:

A Field Guide to Freshwater Fishes : North America North of Mexico (Peterson Field Guides)
by Brooks M. Burr

Does anyone know any reason why I shouldn't get this one or which book I should get instead?

[SueM]

I havent read that one, but I have American Aquarium Fishes by Robert J. Goldstein.
Best native book printed for those of us that like to collect natives.....IMHO.
http://www.tamu.edu/upress/books/2000/goldstei.htm

[TheOldSalt]

The Petersen field guide series books are very, very good & helpful, and also cheap & easy to find. You can't go wrong with one. The book SueM mentioned is also quite good, but very incomplete as well as quite expensive.
Many states also have a "fishes of _____" book for their state, but I don't know if Ohio does.

Google "Jonah's Aquarium" . Jonah's is an online store devoted to natives, and he carries not only fish, but books aplently. The book you are considering is the one I would recommend first, but you'll eventually want others, and Jonah has them all. Please note that the Petersen guide only identifies the fish. It doesn't tell you very much about them. The book Sue mentioned, on the other hand, goes into great detail about them.

[Damon]

I have yet to find any comprehensive book pertaining to Ohio fish. Nor a helpful website that mentions species other than darters, sunfish, and bluegill.

[Ownager2004]

Alright thanks for the info guys. I think im going to go with the book i found since it is so much cheaper than the alternatives. And I figure as long as I can make a proper ID I should be able to dig up atleast a little info on the net.

Also, Simpte there was a Fishes of Ohio book on the site TOS mentioned, maybe you could look into that if you haven't already.

[fish_doc]

I went to our local library and found a book written by a local person. They had a ID of every fish in the county and a map of what stream, river, pond etc they were located in. It was a eye opener to me to find out we have 2 kinds of killifish nearby. It has peaked a bit of intrest in starting a local tank also. Another source may be a local fish club if there are any in your area.