Changes of serum C-reactive protein (CRP) levels in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) were studied after exposure to formalin, metriphonate or potassium permanganate, which are used in aquaculture as anti-ectoparasitic chemicals. The CRP level in normal trout sera is 88+/-5 microg ml(-1) according to sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. CRP levels increased to a maximum at six or nine days after exposure to formalin for 3.5 h at 300 ppm or 9.5 h at 30 ppm, respectively; these levels are 4.3 and 18 times higher than normal. At 18 days after treatment, the CRP level had decreased to significantly below the normal level. After exposure to metriphonate (0.4 ppm for 30 min), the CRP level increased significantly to a maximum at three days after exposure (9.9 times higher than normal), then decreased to below normal. With exposure to potassium permanganate at 40 ppm for 45 min, fish showed significantly lower CRP levels than the normal level at 14 days after exposure. Fish reared at a water temperature of 16.5-19.5 degrees C showed significantly higher CRP levels than those reared at 13 degrees C. Measurement of CRP levels in trout serum can be used as a bioindicator of the health condition of the fish.