This overview provides the fish culturist with an insight into the potential and limitations for the use of orally administered growth promoters in the culture of anadromous salmonid smolts. Androgens, with the exception of 4-chlorotostosterone, at concentrations of 1 to 10 mg/kg in the diet have been shown to be effective anabolic agents in three species of the genus Oncorhynchus ( O. nerka, O. kisutch and O. tshawytscha). These anabolic agents, however, have not been effective in two species of the genus Salmo ( S. salar and S. gairdneri). In studies where a growth response was obtained with the anabolic agent a significant improvement was often recorded in feed conversion. Generally the estrogens are not effective as growth promoters. Ethylestrenol, however, did induce an increase in body weight when administered orally to S. salar. T 3 (3,5,3′-triiodo-L-thyronine) has only recently attracted attention as a potential growth promoter in anadromous salmonids. To date, positive growth responses have been reported with T 3 as a diet supplement in O. kisutch, O. tshawytscha, S. salar and S. gairdneri. The potential for anabolic steroids and(or) T 3 in the production of zero-age smolts, as well as in promoting the growth of undersized parr, is considered.