The maximum percentage of lysis of head-kidney non-specific cytotoxic cells (NCC) against mammalian tumour cells (L1210 and K562) in the marine teleost gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata L.) was studied. The present data indicate the short period of time necessary for gilthead seabream NCC to form conjugates and deliver a lethal hit. The maximum percentage of lysis observed demonstrates that seabream NCC activity against L1210 tumour cells is faster than against K562 tumour cells. This kinetic parameter suggests that fish NCC show a less efficient cytotoxic activity than their mammalian counterparts. The possibility of applying theoretical treatments to systems consisting of lower vertebrate non-specific cytotoxic cells and tumour targets, similar to those applied to mammals, is considered, and the phylogenetic implications of our findings are discussed.