Innovation of Siluriformes fish germplasm and its research progress

Siluriformes fish are widely distributed across China and are highly favored by consumers for their strong adaptability, rapid growth, palatable flesh, and low number of intermuscular bones. These attributes render them particularly well-suited for artificial aquaculture, highlighting their considerable economic value. Globally, the order comprises approximately 34 families and over 2300 species, representing 6.61% of all known fish species worldwide. In terms of genetic improvement, breeding programs have primarily focused on enhancing growth performance, leading to the successful development of several high-quality new varieties. For example, selective breeding has successfully produced the longsnout catfish (Leiocassis longirostris) “Chuanjiang No. 1”, which effectively mitigates issues related to germplasm degradation. In the field of hybrid breeding, superior varieties including channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) “Jiangfeng No. 1”, hybrid yellow catfish (Pelteobagrus fulvidraco) “Huangyou No. 1” and “Baixiong No. 1” have been developed, demonstrating significant advantages in growth rate, yield, and stress resistance. Regarding sex-controlled breeding, YY super-male yellow catfish and other lineages have been established through hormonal sex reversal, gynogenesis, and test cross validation. Significant advances have also been achieved in modern molecular breeding technologies. Molecular marker-assisted breeding has enabled the identification of X/Y chromosome-linked markers—such as AFLP, SCAR, SSR, and SNP—for precise trait locus selection. Furthermore, cutting-edge techniques including genome-wide selection, gene editing, stem cell-mediated nuclear transfer, and transgenesis have been successfully implemented. Collectively, these approaches have contributed to the establishment of a diversified and integrated breeding technology system. This paper provides a comprehensive review of the research history, industrial development, germplasm resources, and recent progress in the application of aquatic genetic breeding technologies for germplasm innovation in Siluriformes fish in China.