Several species of Brazilian fresh-water fishes: pintado (Pseudoplatysma corruscans), mandi (Pimelodus darias), lambari (Astianax bimacidatus), peixe-cachorro (Acestrorhynchus falcatiis), saguiru (Curimata elegans), piava (Leporinus sp.) and piranha, were analised in relation to lipid content, cholesterol, free fatty acids and ruonj-saponifiable fraction. Singinificant differences were observed between species in these several analysis. Higher oil e cholesterol contents were observed in mandi. Cholesterol was probably the principal constituent of non-saponifiable fraction of the fishes studied.