150 freshwater fishes including 100 (O. niloticus) and 50 (C. lazera) were collected from different fish markets of various sanitation levels at Assiut. The samples were examined for enumeration of Aeromonas hydrophila group. The obtained results pointed out that 46 % and 18 % of the examined O. niloticus and C. lazera fishes were positive for Aeromonas hydrophila microorganisms with an average count of 3.4 x 104 /g/ fish and 4.1 x 103 /g/ fish using surface spread plate technique respectively. Eighty Aeromonas hydrophila strains isolated in this study were characterized according to species level as follow: 51 Aeromonas hydrophila, 17 Aeromonas sobria and 12 as Aeromonas caviae. All strains were examined for their ability to produce virulence factors and enzymes. Concerning the antibiotic sensitivity of the isolated strains, they were sensitive to Neomycin and Nalidixic acid with an activity of 100 %. On the other hand, they showed a high degree of resistance to Tetracyclin, Colistin sulphate and Ampicillin. The public health impotance as well as recommended sanitary measures were discussed.