Reef Creature Identification - Florida Caribbean Bahamas - 3rd Edition (Reef Set (New World)) Paperback – October 31, 2013

I'm a beginner - novice scuba diver and enjoy underwater photography. I really wanted something that wasn't overly complicated to help me identify various creatures when scuba diving in Jamaica. I bought the series of 3 (Reef Creatures, Coral and Fish) and these were precisely what I wanted. The first few pages have some drawn illustrations to guide you to which class you are looking for and go to that section where there are excellent color photos to help identify the species. Every species listed also has a short blurb to tell you specific identifying features (which can be helpful if the specimen you're identifying was a little varied from the photo), the prevalence in the area, normal dwelling areas (like in coral, near sponges, etc) to be even more specific to help you identify. I've already used this to help me id species from past photographs. They are very comprehensive and easy to use.My only minor problem and is probably more my fault for not looking at the shipping weights, is that they are a tad heavier than expected. I'm going on another dive trip soon and plan on taking them with me and perusing them between dives and they will definitely require that I lighten my luggage. Together all 3 books (spiral bound with plastic cover) weigh about 5-6 lbs. Comparatively considering prices for other guides which usually had complaints of not being easy to use, no color photos, not enough info., I'm still very happy I bought these. I think the value for the money (purchased used - good to very good condition via Amazon), was more than excellent. Even knowing the weight, I would definitely buy again.

I love the organization of this book into Ten Identification Groups Common and Proper Phylum Names. The illustrations are excellent the photos are amazing. The written descriptions are easy to follow and help with making identifications. The authors have done a great job.

Great book a lot information

I would highly recommend this book for anyone interested in marine invertebrates. It is well organized by phyla. The book explains the overall anatomy of members of each phylum and has nice drawings to help one understand the basic anatomy. I was amazed by the photographs. I will treasure this vook.

I am a diver and had to get this book. I love to know what I am looking at, and this book has it all. Very easy read too. Lots of pics too. Love it.

Buenas fotos, con un excelente contenido cientifico de divulgación. Genial para aquellos que disfrutan de conocer que fauna vieron en los buceos.

I just used this book (along with their companion books on fishes and corals) on a week-long snorkel trip off the coast of Belize. The photographys of the animals are great: printed on good stock, clear, show the animals as you see them underwater, and show the characteristics that allow you to make identification. There are also some supplementary line drawings. The textual information nicely supplements the photographs.Of course many of the groups of animals contain more species than are shown in the book. I would have wished for more instances where the authors point this out. But this is a small matter and the book almost always allows you to determine at least the group to which the animal belongs.

I bought the Reef Fish and Reef Creatures book for my boyfriend (26) for Christmas 2013. We go to the Caribbean annually and he loves snorkeling so this was the perfect gift. He actually "hates reading"... but every time I go to his house, the books are in a different spot (couch table, bedroom, bathroom - lol) so I know he is reading them often and enjoying them. I've gotten lost in them a couple times myself. They have great pictures, great info on how the species are classified, and are perfect for identifying what we have already seen. The info for each fish is only a couple lines, but if he has more questions he just googles the name. Much easier than googling "red fish I saw in Punta Cana" haha. I recommend these - pictures are great for all ages, but info is pretty abbreviated so probably for young teens and up as far as the reading goes.