"A Borzoi Book." Includes bibliographical references (page 299) and index.

Authors' notes -- Introduction -- The world of fishes. Technicalities -- Fishes from past to present -- The fish's body and its functions -- Commercial and sport fishes -- The fishes. The jawless fishes -- The cartilaginous fishes -- The bony fishes -- Selected bibliography -- Fresh- and saltwater records -- Index. Treats "the generally accepted orders and families ..., family characteristics ... Geared primarily for popular consumption"--Author's notes. The work is arranged in biosystematic order and is indexed. Also contains saltwater and freshwater records for largest type of fish caught. Gives weight, length, girth, where caught, when, angler. Published 1976.