Heavy metal concentrations were measured in 29 marine wild fish species from the South China Sea. Concentrations (wet weight) were 0.51-115.81 ng/g (Cd), 0.54-27.31 ng/g (Pb), 0.02-1.26 mu g/g (Cr), 8.32-57.48 ng/g (Ni), 0.12-1.13 mu g/g (Cu), 2.34-6.88 mu g/g (Zn), 2.51-22.99 mu g/g (Fe), and 0.04-0.81 mu g/g (Mn), respectively. Iron concentrations in all and Mn in some fish species were higher than the acceptable daily upper limit, suggesting human consumption of these wild fish species may pose a health risk. Human health risk assessment, however, indicated no significant adverse health effects with consumption. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.