Drying is a common fish preservation technique used in developing countries. Analysis of process factors involved in controlled fish drying permits process optimization and assists in design of suitable dryers. Various methodologies, with models of different complexities (analytical, semi-empirical and empirical models), have been used to investigate fish drying kinetics. The original feature of this study is the combined use of surface response methodology and diffusional models. In a limited number of experiments, this combination allowed development of a predictive tool for assessing fish drying mechanisms and drying time.