We evaluated the level of heavy metal pollution in ten species of teleosts from the rare and endemic fishes nature reserve in the upper reaches of the Yangtze River in 2008–2009 using atomic absorption spectrophotometry and atomic spectrophotofluorimetry. The mean muscle concentrations of heavy metals (Cu, Zn, Pb, Cd, Hg, and As) in the ten species were within the range of 0.39wet weight), respectively. The heavy metal concentrations were below the tolerance limit levels established by the ministry of health of China, with the exception of Pb in . The concentrations of Pb were higher than the acceptable values for human consumption designated by FAO in six of the ten fish species. Our results suggest that heavy metal concentrations were higher in carnivorous species than in omnivorous fish. The heavy metals pollution index in the muscle of fishes was <0.5. We found no evidence of appreciable pollution in fishes from this study area. Our results provide insight into the health of fish resources in this area and can be used for decision-making regarding environmental management and the protection of endangered species.