The dynamics of astaxanthin and canthaxanthin were studied through an 11-month feeding experiment by following carotenoid deposition in male and female rainbow trout muscle, during and after spawning. Carotenoids were analysed by chromatography (HPLC), muscle colour was measured by a colourimeter and visual rank evaluation. In both sexes, a decrease in the muscle carotenoid content was observed at spawning time. The recovery of the muscle pigmentation differed between females and males, but seemed not to be influenced by the type of carotenoid additives in feed. The carotenoid content of the female muscle increased rapidly after spawing, while in the male this increase was slower. Eighteen weeks after spawing, carotenoid concentrations in the muscle of females corresponded to those before spawning, while in males they reached only one third of that amount. Significant correlations were found between chemical analysis, colourimetric measurements and visual rank evaluation.