FishBase is the world s most important online encyclopedia on fishes and incorporates numerous tools for ichthyologists and fisheries biologists. The Royal Museum for Central Africa (RMCA) is part of the FishBase Consortium and has been responsible for updating the scientific information on the African fresh- and brackish water fishes since 2001. Since 2005, the Ichthyology Unit of the RMCA organizes each year a comprehensive traineeship for 5 talented African scientists on the use of FishBase and the taxonomy of African fishes. This three months training, alternately held in French and English, is supported by the Belgian Development Cooperation and includes: (i) a detailed demonstration of FishBase in all its aspects; (ii) a practical training in the taxonomy of African fishes; (iii) a morphometric case study on taxa which are known to comprise taxonomic problems. With this training the RMCA aims to: (i) share its experience in FishBase and African ichthyofauna; (ii) encourage the trainees to teach their newly apprehended competencies and knowledge at their home institutions, to help in completing FishBase, and to spread the use of FishBase as a source of information and as a fisheries tool; (iii) establish new or maintain existing collaborations with the participants and their home institutions. We will introduce this training programme to a large group of potential trainees. The presentation will start with a short discussion of the concept, the contents, the goals and the application procedure of the training. Furthermore, some results and an evaluation will be given of the past sessions.