We’re finally back from our holidays and to start the ball rolling again we’re offering you the opportunity to download the eighth edition of Dr. Richard van der Laan’s huge ‘Freshwater Fish list’. This 774 page book contains an alphabetically-arranged checklist to every freshwater fish species in the world, plus an overview of scientific names used in aquarium literature.

It’s therefore possible to review the currently valid scientific name of a given species, its correct spelling and taxonomical classification, and whether there’s been any confusion with that name in the past. There’s also an extensive reference section which can be used to check the occurrence of that name in the aquarium literature over the last century.

Beyond provision of these resources the aim of the book is to stimulate use of currently-valid scientific names in the aquarium hobby as well as listing the most commonly-used vernacular names, incorrectly-applied scientific names, and aquarium book citations.

It’s certainly an impressive work in terms of scale, as well as a useful reference, and considering it’s fully open-access there’s no reason not to get involved! The pdf file is 20.5 mb and available via the following link:

Freshwater Fish List, 8th Edition. R. van der Laan, 2012

NB: If you run a Linux-based operating system please use Adobe Reader to download the file otherwise you may be unable to do so.