[Objective] The aim of this study was to study effects of metal ions on the protease activities in digestive tissues and gland of red-white ornamental carp(Cyprinus carpio L).[Method] Effects of four kinds of metal ions (K+,Na+,Mg2+ and Ca2+) on protease activities in hepatopancreas,foregut,midgut,hindgut of red-white ornamental carp were studied by enzyme analysis method.[Result] Effects of four kinds of metal ions on protease activities of red-white ornamental carp were different in the range of experimental concentration from 25 mmol/L to 150 mmol/L.K+ could promote protease activities in hepatopancreas and hindgut at different levels.Especially,K+ had the promoting effect at low-concentration level,but the inhibitory effect at high-concentration level in midgut and the inhibitory effect in foregut.Na+ had the promoting effect on protease activities in hepatopancreas,foregut and hindgut at different levels,but the inhibitory effect in midgut.Mg2+ and Ca2+ had the inhibitory effect on protease activities in intestinal and hepatopancreas at different levels.[Conclusion] This study provides basic data and theoretical foundation for researches on the digestive physiology of red-white ornamental carp or the development and optimization of compound feed.