Marine Decapod Crustaceans: Comprehensive Field Guide and Photo

In this review of Marine Decapod Crustaceans, Sven Erik Gehrmann has produced a focused reference for marine biologists, aquarists and serious naturalists who need a compact, photo-rich overview of decapods and horseshoe crabs. The single biggest reason to buy is the combination of more than 200 color photographs paired with concise discussion of ecology, aquarium husbandry and commercial importance, making it useful as both a visual ID aid and a practical companion for anyone working with these animals.

Key Features

• Extensive photography: More than 200 color images document live animals, mating, moulting and larvae to help identify life stages and behaviors in the field or aquarium.
• Taxonomic coverage: Current taxonomy for the species presented offers a practical snapshot of classification for researchers and hobbyists needing up-to-date names.
• Ecology and auto-ecology: Short discussions of species ecology provide context for where and how different decapods live, from shallow shelves to deep sea.
• Aquarium husbandry: Practical notes on keeping several species make the book a useful guide for aquarists considering crabs, prawns or lobsters for captive care.
• Range of species: Coverage spans edible to toxic species and Atlantic to Indo-Pacific distributions, making the book broadly relevant across regions.

Who It's For

This book is aimed at marine biologists, advanced students, aquarium hobbyists and seafood industry professionals who need a photographic reference and concise species accounts for decapods and horseshoe crabs. Field researchers will appreciate the clear images and ecological notes for quick identification and context.

It is less suited to casual readers seeking an illustrated coffee-table book or very detailed academic monographs; those needing exhaustive taxonomic treatments or complete keys should consult specialized taxonomic literature instead.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Strong visual reference with numerous live-shot photographs that capture behavior and life stages.
• Practical husbandry and commercial notes add real-world applicability for aquarists and industry readers.
• Broad geographic and ecological scope includes shelf, deep-sea and free-swimming species across ocean regions.

Cons

• Not a full technical monograph; readers wanting exhaustive taxonomic keys may need supplemental sources.

Specifications

Title	Marine Decapod Crustaceans
Author	Sven Erik Gehrmann
Subjects	Decapoda and Xiphosura, marine biology
Illustrations	More than 200 colour photos, including live shots and life stages
Content focus	Auto-ecology, taxonomy, aquarium husbandry, commercial importance
Geographic scope	Atlantic to Indo-Pacific species

Our Verdict

Marine Decapod Crustaceans is a well-focused, photo-heavy reference that delivers practical value for researchers and aquarists who need identification help, ecological context and husbandry notes in one compact volume. It represents good value for anyone wanting a reliable field-oriented guide rather than a purely academic taxonomic treatise.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does this book include live photographs of behaviour?
Yes. The book contains many live shots including rare snapshots of mating, moulting and larvae to illustrate behaviour and life stages.

Are aquarium care tips included?
Yes. Practical notes on aquarium husbandry for several species are included to help hobbyists considering captive care.

Is the taxonomy current?
The book presents the current taxonomy for the species covered, offering an up-to-date reference for names and classifications.