Loaches Online Forum

For our 10th anniversary coming up next month my wife bought me Dr. Tan's Borneo Suckers book!
Don't know how long it will take to get here but my wife is such a wonderful thoughtful person to continue to feed my addiction to loaches
She says its better than going to the bars or bowling (not sure why bowling is so bad but she doesn't like it)
Just had to take some time to give my wife her 'props'

Congratulations!!! That's a great book.

Congrats! Indeed a great book!

Yes, behind every good aquarist, stands a good waterproof wife. ( Yes ladies or husband)

The book arrived yesterday. I am surprised at how quickly it arrived given the long wait others have complained of. It is a fabulous book and definitely worth adding to any loachophile's library.

My perusal of the book brought a thought to mind that I've had before when reading scientific literature. I think there is one area where us scientists fall short in publications. Dr. Tan's book has a good section in the back but I think it could be better. Color pictures of live specimens should be used more frequently. I understand the need for black and white specimen photos and by no means think they should be replaced. However, it is widely known that preserved specimens particularly fish change in color after death and fixation. Typically these specimens were caught live by a scientist and photos could be taken prior to death and fixation. I think this would add great value to the descriptions of species and would make taxonomy texts more appealing and useful to the nonscientist (thus peaking more interest in the field with the end result hopefully being more research money to document the planet's denizens).
With the durability, reliability, and ease of use of photographic equipment today it should be doable if the impetus exists.
I know color photos cost considerably more to publish than black and white but at least the scientific record could be more thorough and publishers could offer 2 versions, a cheaper b&w and a pricier color.

So, kudos to Dr. Tan for including many color plates with his book, and for a great book and excellent research!