Abstract:Objective: To determine whether mineral elements in water show positive effects on developmental behaviors, lipid metabolism and antioxidant capacity of the body when food can provide with adequate nutrition by use of juvenile zebrafish. 21 dpf (days after fertilization) juvenile zebrafish were randomly divided into four groups, fish water group (FWG, control group), tap water group (TWG), natural water group (NWG), and purified water group (PWG). Zebrafish were raised in corresponding water with the same feed, the number of deaths were recorded every day up to 90 dpf. After the zebrafish were put to death by anesthesia, body weight, body length and whole body mineral levels, TC, TG, HDL-C, LDL-C, MDA levels and SOD activity were measured, and the correlation were analysed. Results: Zebrafish in PWG showed significantly decreased calcium and zinc levels, survival rate, body weight and body length; zebrafish in NWG showed significantly increased HDL-C levels and significantly decreased TG, MDA levels; the correlation analysis showed that body length of zebrafish were significantly positively correlated with calcium and magnesium levels in water, TG levels were significantly negatively correlated with calcium, magnesium and zinc levels in water. Conclusion: Natural water, which has suitable pH, DO levels and proper amount of minerals together with reasonable Ca:Mg ratio, is the most suitable for body development, while purified water seems not suitable due to its lacking of calcium, magnesium.