The teleost scale is a calcified tissue that contains osteoclasts, osteoblasts, and bone matrix, all of which are similar to those found in mammalian membrane bone. Using the goldfish scale, we recently developed a new in vitro assay system and previously demonstrated that melatonin suppressed both osteoclastic and osteoblastic activities in this assay system. In mammals, 2-bromomelatonin possesses a higher affinity for the melatonin receptor than does melatonin. Using a newly developed synthetic method, we synthesized 2-bromomelatonin, 2,4,6-tribromomelatonin and novel bromomelatonin derivatives (1-allyl-2,4,6-tribromomelatonin, 1-propargyl-2,4,6-tribromomelatonin,