Yellow catfish

Tachysurus fulvidraco is the currently accepted name for the species previously known as Pelteobagrus fulvidraco. It is a small to medium-sized freshwater catfish of the family Bagridae, native to East Asia, with a wide distribution across China, Korea, Japan, and Vietnam. Adults typically reach 15–25 cm in length (up to 35 cm) and are characterized by a robust, slightly compressed body, a broad head with a subterminal mouth bearing four pairs of barbels (one nasal, one maxillary, two mandibular), an adipose fin, and a strong, serrated pectoral spine that can inflict painful wounds—the spine is associated with a venom gland. The body is yellowish to olive-green with dark longitudinal bands or blotches. They inhabit lakes, rivers, and reservoirs with muddy or sandy bottoms, where they are primarily nocturnal, feeding on aquatic insects, crustaceans, mollusks, and small fish. Reproduction occurs in spring–summer; males guard nests in cavities or under rocks. This species is one of the most economically important freshwater aquaculture fish in China, prized for its firm, flavorful flesh. It has been extensively studied for sex determination (XY system with sex-linked markers), disease resistance, growth genetics, and genome editing. Its genome has been fully sequenced, facilitating selective breeding programs and studies of venom evolution in catfishes. (Note: Both Pelteobagrus fulvidraco and Tachysurus fulvidraco refer to the same species; Tachysurus is the currently accepted genus.)