Transcriptome profiles of F1 hybrids (Acanthopagrus schlegelii ♂ × Pagrus major ♀) and parents reveal hybrid effects on individual development

F1 hybrids may have heterosis in a wide range of traits, such as environmental adaptation or growth condition. To facilitate research on F1 hybrids of Acanthopagrus schlegelii ♂ × Pagrus major ♀, differentially expressed genes of the whole body transcriptome between F1 hybrids and parents were analysed using Illumina high‐throughput sequencing. The results showed that genes related to development and immune process had significantly expressed in F1 hybrids. It revealed that F1 hybrids had quick growth and strong resistance to disease versus A. schlegelii and P. major. This is the first report on the transcriptome of A. schlegelii, P. major and their F1 hybrids at 1 month of age and provides an important foundational data for studying molecular mechanisms of heterosis.