We investigated the composition, distribution and ecological habits of alien fishes in major drainages in Qinghai Province during the period of 2001-2014.30 alien species, belonging to 6 orders, 12 families and 25 genera, were found and collected in this survey.In total, 36 alien fishes were recorded in Qinghai Province, combined with published literatures.Among the species, 16 successfully established populations in natural water bodies, 26 were found in the upper reaches of the Yellow River where they have exceeded native fishes.4 species were first recorded in the upper reaches of the Yangtze River.12 species, representative of the most alien fishes among endorheic drainages, were found in Lake Keluk, an inland lake in Qaidam basin.The survey found that the numbers of alien fishes have shown continued increases, and distributions have been expanded to higher elevation drainage areas.Most of the established exotic fishes were introduced from the eastern plain of China.The steelhead, Oncorhynchus myskiss, a representative of exotic species from foreign countries, has established and naturalized in the upper reaches of the Yellow River.The food of steelhead was consisted of aquatic invertebrates and indigenous fish such as genus Triplophysa.Our survey suggested that the establishment of ecologically protected areas is necessary to control and eliminate alien fishes in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau.