Fathead minnows (Pimephales promelas) were exposed for a total of 4 wk to 0, 0.5 or 1.0 mg/I lead as lead acetate. After 14-day acclimation to flake food, separate groups were fed either 20 1-day, 2-day or 7-day old Daphnia magna on alternate days for 14 days and tested for total time spent feeding, failed attempts and foraging distance. Time spent feeding on daphnids and number of miscues were significantly higher among lead-exposed groups than in control fish (P<0.05). Except for a high significance among fish exposed to 1.0 mg/l lead and feeding on the largest sized prey (7-day olds), reaction distance showed no dose-response. After 4 wk, body lead ranged from not detectable in the controls to 44.2 ± 2.5 mg/l in the 1.0 mg/l lead exposed groups. Examination of whole brain neurotransmitters indicated a significant increase in both serotonin and norepinephrine levels (P < 0.01) but no change in dopamine in response to lead intoxication.