Coriolopsis gallica and Phanerochaete chrysosporium were selected for their potential ability to degrade five dyes in an artificial effluent. Degradation experiments were carried out in N-rich (C:N ratio 11.6:1) and N-limited (116: 1) conditions at an effluent concentration of 100 mg l(-1). P chrysosporium decolourised 53.6% of the effluent in N-rich conditions and 48% in N-limited conditions. C gallica decolourised 80.7% in N-rich conditions and 86.9% in N-limited conditions. Nitrogen supplementation improved enzyme activities and dye decolourisation for P. chrysosporium. Additional nitrogen increased enzyme activities for C. gallica but did not improve decolourisation. The results highlight the potential of C. gallica for textile dye degradation.