The RFE (http://vm.cfsan.fda.gov/~frf/rfe0.html), a web-based resource, is a biochemical and visual pattern database for fish, currently including IEF protein pattern fingerprints and fish images. At the end of FY '96, 64 fish species have been represented in the "RFE PAGE" information container format. An information container is present for each species for fish images, gel electrophoresis images, pattern analysis, and so on. Each container can include data on multiple specimens per species. Each gel image, for instance, is "stamped" with a text annotation on the image describing the lab acquisition parameters. All specimen images are traceable to taxonomic authentication information, aliquots from which are stored in a National Tissue Collection. Specimen band position designation is controlled through a specific IEF RFE standard gel-lane-layout format featuring lanes of specimen only, standard pI marker only, and co-migrated samples. Detailed tutorial information about the gel band position image processing and standardization is found at http://vm.cfsan.fda.gov/~frf/rfedesc.html.