Bringing the Ethics and Curiosity of a Marine Ecologist to the home aquarium field, Robert Fenner provides new standards and fresh insights into the intelligent selection and care of captive saltwater fishes and invertebrates. As a pragmatic, hands-on guide for beginning to intermediate hobbyists, The Conscientious Marine Aquarist demystifies the process of planning, setting up, stocking, and managing a beautiful, thriving slice of the tropical ocean. A leading advocate for the responsible collection and care of wild-caught specimens, Fenner starts with the basics -- ''What is a fish?'' -- and proceeds to give the reader the scientific background and expert-level secrets to being a smarter consumer, better steward, and more successful marine aquarium keeper.