Protein, lipids, moisture and ash contents of the edible muscles of gilthead bream Sparus aurata L. were estimated for fish of different sizes, and sexes, andin different months. On fresh weight basis, percentage crude protein ranged from 17.6-22.5%, lipids from 1.6-4.9%, moisture 71.2-78.8%, and ash from 1..1-1.6%. Moisture and ash contents showed limited degree of variability, whereas lipids content showed the highest particularly for females. Both protein and lipid percents increased with the increase in fish size. Highest values of these two components, were obtained in summer (July to September) and lowest values in winter (October to December) which coincided with the spawning season. Male and female fish have almost the sa~e composition. Highly significant inverse relationship was established between moisture and lipids contents of the species. The regression equations representing this relation were arrived at. Estimates of percentage lipids could be deriven by using the easily obtainable moisture percent.

The present study was carried out to evaluate heavy metals residues in water and fish (Oreochromis niloticus) tissues collected periodically from summer 2007 to spring 2008 of different water sources (agricultural drainage water, mixed drainage water, and fresh water), while there were no fish could be found in mixed drainage water. There were significant differences among different water sources as well as different seasons. Water samples had Fe residuals level exceeding the permissible limit in all different water sources while Pb level exceeding the permissible limit in mixed drainage water in spring season. Bioaccumulation of Fe, Zn, Cu, and Cd varied in muscle, gills, and liver tissues of Oreochromis niloticus. Generally, it could be mentioned that heavy metals concentrations in different investigated fish organs were in the following order: muscle < gills < liver. Lead concentrations were not detectable in different tissues of fish collected from different sources during different seasons. The higher values of metals were detected in fish collected from the agricultural drainage water. Moreover, there were seasonal variations had been observed, where cadmium residuals level had exceeding the internationally permissible levels in winter and autumn.