3 Review(s)

In Fishes Of India, the reader gets a glimpse of the interesting and mostly unseen marine life, which is also one of the oldest forms of life on the planet. Summary Of The Book In his book Fishes Of India, B. F. Chhapgar provides insights into the habitat, habits and types of fishes found in India. The book has full illustrations and also informs the reader about all the different names of each fish, the vernacular, and common and scientific names for ease of identification. With water covering over 70 per cent of the world’s surface, marine life rouses the curiosity of all readers because so little is known about it. So, while intended primarily for a young audience, Fishes Of India is also a good read for teachers, nature enthusiasts, and parents. Chhapgar describes more than 130 varieties of fishes in this book, including predatory ones like rays and sharks, as well as flatfish, seahorses, catfish and angler fish. He also mentions the various uses of different fishes and notes of caution. In the second section of the book titled Classes, Orders and Species, there are 25 chapters, each one dedicated to a different fish. These chapters cover fishes such as the Scorpionfish, Stonefish, Spiny Eels, Threadfins, Marlin, Gobies, Mackerel, Sharks, Mullets, Rays, Eels, Morays, Gouramis, Barbs and Loaches. The book contains photographs and drawings as well. Interesting tidbits of information like the fact that the Koran fish derives its name from the markings on its body, which resemble some sacred inscriptions of the holy book of Islam, make this a captivating book for readers of all ages. About B. F. Chhapgar B. F. Chhapgar is a marine biologist and author. Popular works by the same author include Man Inside The Sea, Understanding The Sea, How To Keep Fish At Home, Treasures Of Indian Wildlife, Marine Crabs Of Bombay State, and Wildlife Of The Himalayas And The Terai Region. Born on the 1st of January, 1931, in Bombay, B. F. Chhapgar is a marine biologist. He is the winner of the Dharmakumarsinhji Trophy of 1994, which he received for his enormous insights and work on keeping ornamental fish. He has a B.Sc. in zoology, an M.Sc. from Taraporewala Marine Biological Station, and a Ph.D. He has studied aquatic radioactivity and its effects on the aquatic environment during his work at the Bhabha Atomic Research Center. A marine biologist by profession, B. F. Chhapgar has written many books, mainly about wildlife and different forms of marine life. In many of these books, “beefsea” is his chosen pen-name. He was the contributing editor of Freshwater and Marine Aquarium and The Aquarium. He has also written numerous articles for scientific journals.