This study investigated the expression of genes encoding enzymes involved in Long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC-PUFA) biosynthesis, namely fatty acyl desaturase (Fad) and Elovl5- and Elovl2-like elongases, during early embryonic development of zebrafish. Temporal expression shows that all three genes are expressed from the beginning of embryogenesis (zygote), suggesting maternal mRNA transfer to the embryo. However, a complete activation of the biosynthetic pathway seems to be delayed until 12 hpf, when noticeable increases of fad and elovl2 transcripts were observed, in parallel with high docosahexaenoic acid levels in the embryo. Fad and elovl2 are highly expressed in the head area where neuronal tissues are developing. Interestingly, elovl5 shows specific expression in the pronephric ducts, suggesting an as yet unknown role in fatty acid metabolism during zebrafish early embryonic development.