Design of a user-friendly and rapid DNA microarray assay for the authentication of ten important food fish species

•A DNA microarray assay was designed for the authentication of ten food fish species.•The DNA chip featured 147 cytochrome b and 16S rDNA probes.•The DNA chip was tested with PCR products of 67 different fish species.•The probe signal pattern was specific for target species and closely related species.•The colorimetric DNA chip assay takes four to five hours and is easy to use.