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Data about the toxicological effects of cerium dioxide nanoparticles (CeO2 NP) in fish are scarce. This work aimed to assess the CeO2 NP possible deleterious effects on the gills of Oncorhynchus mykiss. A semi-continuous acute test was conducted to expose the rainbow trout to a freshwater control, 0.25, 2.50 and 25.00 mg/L CeO2 NPs for up to 96 hours. Gills pathological index showed a dose-effect relationship for the individuals exposed to CeO2. Gills showed aneurisms, epithelial lifting and hyperplasia. Furthermore exposure to CeO2 NPs caused statistical differences in some biomarkers determinations, namely a significant increase in the catalase activity and genotoxicity the higher concentrations. No significant changes were however observed in thiobarbituric acid reactive substances content, Na+-K+ ATPase and glutathione s-transferase activities. This study suggests that CeO2 nanoparticles are toxic compounds that can lead to histological, biochemical and genotoxic alterations.