A study on the coastal fish assemblage inhabiting the marine reserve of Ustica Island was carried out from 1994 to 1997 by means of two visual census techniques. The occurrence of species such as Sphyraena viridensis, Sparisoma cretense, Lappanella fasciata, Scorpaena maderensis, Thorogobius ephippiatus, Gobius vittatus and Caranx crysos within the censused fish fauna of Ustica is of particular interest providing relevant information on these species, concerning biogeographic aspects, habitat preference and some ecological and behavioural features. The utility of visual census techniques for in situ ecological studies on coastal fishes is pointed out.