From reviews of earlier editions:

"This fine book is an authoritative and comprehensive summary of a geographically and zoologically varied region of the Pacific and is an important contribution to ichthyology. The authors have done an excellent job summarizing the complex and diverse fish fauna of the Sea of Cortez; the illustrators ...provide a great service to the reader in providing their collection of superb drawings and paintings."

—Aquaculture

"The collaboration of an ecologist, a taxonomist, and an artist-photographer with years of experience in the Gulf of California has resulted in an excellent book on the reef fishes of this area.... Certainly this merging of scientific disciplines has produced a book with a broader scientific, as well as popular, coverage of a regional fish fauna than many of its contemporaries."

—Terra

"Hallelujah! Fishwatchers, natural historians, and biologists alike are rejoicing with the reprinting of this guide.... Contains many fine drawings, color plates, and photographs; easy-to-read text emphasizing ecology, Spanish names for each fish (a nice touch).... A great addition to your library, whether you want to study fish or just catch and eat them."

—Books of the Southwest

First published in 1979, this guide has become the standard resource for scientists, divers, and spearfishers interested in the fishes of the tropical Pacific Coast. The authors have revised and updated this edition to include the most current taxonomic information, additional species descriptions, and new illustrations.