Proximate composition, selected mineral (Zn, Fe, Cd, As, Hg, Pb, Ni, Cu) content and fatty acid proÐles were determined in some widely consumed Ðsh species obtained from the Black Sea. All Ðsh species analysed individually were fairly high in protein (14É1È25É1%) and lipid (7É4È18É4%). Moisture and ash content varied within a narrow range. The mineral content was highly variable. The most abundant microelements in Ðsh were Zn and Fe followed by Cu, and the remaining elements were present in amounts below toxic levels. Eight fatty acids (16 : 0, 16 : 1, n-7, 18 : 0, 18 : 1 n-9, 18 : 2 n-6, 20 : 1 n-9, 20 : 5 n-3, 22 : 6 n-3) represented more than 60% of the fatty acid content. Saturated fatty acids ranged from 25É8 to 45É1%. Anchovy and whiting contained almost 35% of polyunsaturated fatty acids. The percentage of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) exceeded that of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) in almost all the Ðsh species examined, and the actual content of these acids has shown that sprat, whiting, garÐsh, red mullet, shad and sea bream provide the recommended daily intake of 1 g of EPA ] DHA with reasonable amounts of Ðllet. These results indicate that biological di †erences existing in Ðsh species can inÑuence the values to be set for the standards and composition.