The 7 Best Fish Identification Guides (2023 reviews)

We consider a fish identification guide to be a worthy investment in the long run. We are here to help you choose the right one for your purposes from all the best available products in market today.

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Our Top Picks:

Best Overall: Buy: Paul Humann reef Fish READ REVIEW

Best paperback Book: Buy: Ken Schultz Fish Identification Guide READ REVIEW

Best laminated Guide: Buy: James Kavanagh Fish Identification Guide READ REVIEW

Best For children: Buy: Bosanko Great Book READ REVIEW

Best For any professional Scuba diver: Buy: Paul Humann Fish Identification Guide READ REVIEW

Best Guide: Buy: Bosanko Fish Identification Guide READ REVIEW

Best compact little Book: Buy: Dan Johnson Fish Identification Guide READ REVIEW

Best Overall: Paul Humann reef Fish

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Here, we review guide that manages to win our hearts. It's the paul humann reef fish and it's widely considered as one of best guide you can buy. If you're going to be spending any time in Caibean waters, take this book. This book was developed for the active scuba diver and snorkeler. It is perfect for the fisherman, diver, and spear fisherman. There are wonderfully clear, glossy pictures of each individual fish combined with a detailed description which includes information such as size, colors, appearance of immature, habitat, and reaction to divers.

This book is a must buy for any diver who has moved beyond the "Oooh look at the pretty fishes" stage. It has a table in the back that lets you record where and when you saw each and every species. It is an amazingly useful book for divers, snorkelers, and naturalists. The book is arranged so you can find what your looking for without a lot of flipping around.

• A must have for those who frequently snorkel or scuba dive
• A must have for divers and underwater photography
• Great pictures, and outstanding charcterization of fishes
• Sturdy book, strong pages, arranged to easily identify fish by shape, color and size

Best paperback Book: Ken Schultz Fish Identification Guide

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We know from years of feedback from readers, customers and amazon sellers, what most people want in a convenient and appropriate guide. The ken schultz fish identification guide is exactly that - it's a simple guide that hits all the right notes. This fully illustrated, full-color guide makes it easy to identify what's at the end of your line. It covers more useful information with less prose. This book has great pictures with each fish description, making it easy to determine the fish based on sight. It can be used in the species profiles.

• Large, full-color illustrations to help you identify your catch
• Really good book, detailed, well organized, correct picture of species
• Delivers what they promise

Best laminated Guide: James Kavanagh Fish Identification Guide

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James Kavanagh has been making great guide for years, thanks to a combination of clever design and appropriate materials. Whether you're on a nature hike or exploring in your neighborhood, you'll want to take along a copy of this indispensable guide. The pocket naturalist guides quickly and easily introduce novice outdoorsmen to the wonders of animal and plant life, as well as other aspects of the wilderness. Each pocket-sized, folding guide highlights up to 150 species and most feature a map identifying prominent sanctuaries and outstanding natural attractions.

• Really handy and easy to identify fish
• Delivers what they promise

Best For children: Bosanko Great Book

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Compared with other guide in this category, the bosanko great book has a convenient design. It is looking for a unique valentine gift for your favorite angler of any age, even kids. It includes fish like salmon and trout. It's small enough to fit into the tackle box, and waterproof in case the boat capsizes. It's nice that it's water resistant to help keep the book clean and dry.

The layout is really user friendly. It's easy to navigate through to find a particular fish you are looking for. It's definitely a great book for any wisconsin angler of any age, even kids.

• Great little book to keep around at the lake
• Nice and small, fits great in tackle box
• Delivers what they promise

Best For any professional Scuba diver: Paul Humann Fish Identification Guide

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We know from years of feedback from readers, customers and amazon sellers, what most people want in a convenient and appropriate guide. The paul humann fish identification guide is exactly that - it's a simple guide that hits all the right notes. It's the most comprehensive compilation of tropical fishes. It is a definitive reference book for the greater indo-pacific ocean, beautifully photographed and with excellent descriptions of more fish than you may ever see, in all phases. This guide is very in depth and shows you how to identify fish at different life stages and general features for identifying certain groups of fish. It is great to know the edibility of the different species of fish.

This is a guide that is very detailed and shows you how to identify fish at different life stages and general features for identifying certain groups of fish. They include good pictures of needlefish (which some ID guides do not), and have many great colorful/clear photos for identification. It is easy to use format. It is good for a live-aboard trip though.

• Excellent reference book for divers and snorkelers alike
• Amazingly clear and detailed photos and descriptions, including juvenile phase and intermediate phase photos
• Great for snorkeling and diving trips
• A well-detailed and well-illustrated tropical pacific reef fish guide

Best Guide: Bosanko Fish Identification Guide

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The bosanko fish identification guide should be able to handle its purpose and duties with ease.

• Good investment for long term
• Lot of satisfied buyers

Best compact little Book: Dan Johnson Fish Identification Guide

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The dan johnson fish identification guide is specially designed for your daily usage and has all useful features. It protects fry until the “brood swarm” disperses.

• Definitely built to last and be taken in the field
• One of the new comers and featured product