Resumo. Abstract Aim: This paper is aimed at describing the changes of fish species in the middle and lower courses of the Tietê River, emphasizing rheophilic and invasive fish species as well as identifying the causes for such alterations. Methods Data collection consisted in: intense revision of publications, dissertations and thesis regarding the subject; information at the Zoology Museum at USP (MZUSP); revision in species identification through MUZUSP collection; historical survey of introduced species based on the literature and samplings in the years of 2000 and 2001. Results The main impacts identified in the Tietê River with consequence to the ichthyofauna were: domestic and industrial pollution, deforestation, damming, course rectification, silting and species introduction. From the 80 species identified in the study area, 28 were invasive. Many fish species have been introduced in the Tietê River since the late 19th Century with carpa (Cyprinus carpio) being the first one, followed by the introduction of black bass (Mycropterus salmonoides) at the beginning of 20th Century. Other species such as corvina (Plagioscion squamosissimus ) have been introduced by electricity companies, which has contributed to the species composition changes. Migratory species as dourado (Salminus brasiliensis ), pacú (Piaractus mesopotamicus) and pintado ( Pseudoplatystoma corruscans), which used to be abundant have become rare or absent after the construction of reservoirs, mainly because reservoirs in cascade have been built. Piracanjuba (Brycon orbignyanus), typically herbivore species, had its stock decreased due to the lack of ciliary vegetation and damming. Conclusions Following the building of the reservoirs there have been important alterations in the composition of ichthyofauna, leading to the nearly complete absence of migratory species and the prevalent species are the ones which adapted to the new conditions. In addition to the damming, lack of ciliary vegetation and pollution also caused alterations in the ichthyological community.