[Objective] The research aimed to study the morphological characteristics and karyotype of Pelteobagrus fulvidraco in Dongting Lake water system.[Method] By using the conventional biological morphometry,PHA and colchicine injection method in vivo,the morphological characteristics and karyotype of P.fulvidraco in Yuanshui River and Lishui River of Dongting Lake were analyzed.[Result] In three ratio traits including standard length/head length,standard length/caudal peduncle depth,head length/snout length,P.fulvidraco of Yuanshui River and Lishui River had significant differences(P0.05).However,the number and karyotype of their chromosomes were same.The chromosome number was 2n = 52,and the karyotype formula was 20M+12SM+10ST+10T.The number of chromosome arm was 84.[Conclusion] The research result had certain theoretical guidance significance for the protection and utilization of wild P.resource in Dongting Lake water system.