Purpose: To gain a comprehensive understanding of differential gene expression in anadromous C. nasus during feeding and fasting conditions. Methods: we characterized transcriptomics of C. nasus livers between feeding and fasting using RNA-seq Results:A total of 23,159 mRNA moleculeswere selected to identify the mechanisms of feeding and fasting. Our results provide insight into the activation of protein synthesis and energy metabolism, identification of key genes involved in food intake regulation, motivation of the fatty acid biosynthesis, glycolysis, TCA cycle and oxidative phosphorylation and decrease of amino acids and linoleic acid metabolism in feeding conditions compared to fasting. Conclusions:This is the first study describing differential gene expression and metabolic changes accompanying feeding and fasting in this interesting but endangered group. Our findings will be useful for future research on feeding characteristics, energy utilization and survival strategies of C. nasus. Overall design: liver mRNA profiles of natural feeding and fasting C. nasus were generated by deep sequencing, using Illumina HiSeq 4000.