Abstract: Using zebrafish as a model, the acute toxicity effect of ethanol on zebrafish embryo development was evaluated.The exposure concentration of ethanol was 0.5%, 1%, 1.3%, 1.5%, 2%.The embryonic development of zebrafish by 96 hpf was observed under stereo-microscope. The mortality, hatchability and deformity were measured and analyzed. The cell apoptosis was determined through acridine orange staining method.The results show that with the increase of ethanol concentration, zebrafish embryo hatching is inhibited, mortality rate and deformity rate are increased. The 72 h-EC₅₀, 96 h-LC₅₀ and 96 h-IC₅₀ were 1.01%, 1.22% and 1.56% respectively.The main malformations were heartbeat decrease, pericardial edema, smaller eyes, tail knots, curvature of spine and shortening of body length, similar to fetal alcohol syndrome.Apoptotic studies results show that 1.3% ethanol and above significantly caused the death of zebrafish embryonic cells.