Long Whiskers Catfish Genome Published in Nature journal

Hyderabad, India – March 3, 2026 – In a significant advancement for aquaculture research and genetic improvement, scientists have published a comprehensive chromosome-level genome assembly and full-length transcriptome dataset for the long whiskers catfish, Mystus gulio. The study, featured in Scientific Data (a Nature journal), provides invaluable resources for understanding the species’ nutritional potential, ecological roles, and evolutionary biology, paving the way for enhanced molecular breeding and sustainable farming practices.

The long whiskers catfish, a member of the Bagridae family native to brackish waters across South and Southeast Asia, is prized for its adaptability to varying salinities and its role in local fisheries. However, until now, detailed genomic insights into this species have been limited. The new dataset addresses this gap by delivering a high-quality genome assembly spanning 706.32 million base pairs (Mb), with an impressive N50 length of 22.79 Mb and 96.56% of the sequence anchored to 29 chromosomes. Repeat sequences make up about 32.66% of the genome, and completeness assessments using BUSCO scored 98.1% against fish-specific benchmarks.

Complementing the genome is a full-length transcriptome derived from ten key tissues, including gills, kidney, liver, muscle, ovary, skin, stomach, arborescent organ, dorsal barbel, and gallbladder. This transcriptome data enabled the prediction of 23,339 protein-encoding genes, along with detailed classifications of isoforms and analyses of alternative splicing events across tissues. These resources are poised to accelerate research into stress tolerance, growth traits, and disease resistance in M. gulio, which could boost productivity in brackishwater aquaculture.

The genome sequencing and transcriptome data for this project were provided by Nucleome Informatics, a leading genomics company based in Hyderabad, India. Utilizing cutting-edge technologies such as PacBio HiFi long-read sequencing, Illumina short-read sequencing, and high-throughput chromosome conformation capture (Hi-C), Nucleome delivered the raw data essential for the chromosome-level assembly. The full-length transcriptomes were generated via PacBio Iso-Sequencing, ensuring high-resolution insights into gene expression.

“We are thrilled to contribute to this milestone in aquatic genomics,” said Dushyant Singh Baghel, MD and CEO, of Nucleome Informatics. “Our expertise in multi-platform sequencing has enabled the creation of a robust dataset that will support ongoing efforts in biodiversity conservation and sustainable aquaculture.”

The research team, led by Dr MS Shekhar and colleagues from the ICAR-Central Institute of Brackishwater Aquaculture (CIBA) in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, deposited the raw sequencing data in the Sequence Read Archive (SRA) under accessions SRR34890038-057 (Illumina) and SRR34946056-068 (PacBio). The assembled genome is available at NCBI under accession JBPSLC000000000, with additional annotations hosted on Figshare (DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.30070591.v3).

Nucleome Informatics extends its heartfelt thanks to the CIBA team for their continued confidence in our services. This collaboration exemplifies the power of partnerships between research institutions and industry leaders in driving scientific progress.

This publication not only highlights the genetic blueprint of an economically important species but also underscores India’s growing role in global genomics research. As brackishwater aquaculture faces challenges from climate change and environmental pressures, such datasets will be crucial for developing resilient strains and informing policy decisions.

For more details, the full study is accessible at: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41597-026-06717-2.