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The aim of the present study was to standardize and to assess the predictive value of the cytogenetic analysis by Micronucleus (MN) test in fish erythrocytes as a biomarker for marine environmental contamination. Micronucleus frequency baseline in erythrocytes was evaluated in and genotoxic potential of a common chemical was determined in fish experimentally exposed in aquarium under controlled conditions. Fish (Therapon jaruba) were exposed for 96 h to a single heavy metal (mercuric chloride). Chromosomal damage was determined as micronuclei frequency in fish erythrocytes. Significant increase in MN frequency was observed in erythrocytes of fish exposed to mercuric chloride. Concentration of 0.25 ppm induced the highest MN frequency (2.95 micronucleated cells/1000 cells compared to 1 MNcell/1000 cells in control animals). The study revealed that micronucleus test, as an index of cumulative exposure, appears to be a sensitive model to evaluate genotoxic compounds in fish under controlled conditions.