To evaluate the potential environmental effects of engineered nano metals,it is important to determine the adverse effects of various nanomaterials on aquatic species.Adult tilapia (Oreochromis mossambicus) were maintained in 10 L glass aquaria,and exposed to a graded series of synthesized silver nanoparticles (Ag-NPs) at 25,50 and 75 mg/L for eight days.The LC50 value was 12.6 mg/L.Reduced activities of antioxidant enzymes and the contents of antioxidants were lowered in the gills and liver of fishes treated with Ag-NPs,which resulted in heavy accumulation of free radicals.Histopathological results imply that the balance between the oxidative and antioxidant system in the fish was broken down during Ag-NPs exposure.The principal coneern related with the release of nanomaterials and their smaller particle may change the materials transport and potential toxicity to aquatic organisms compared to larger particles.