We cloned the full-length cDNA sequence of xenobiotic metabolizing cytochrome P4501A (CYP1A) gene from the yellow catfish (Pelteobagrus fulvidraco, Siluriformes, Bagridae). P. fulvidraco is a commercially important fish generally distributed in Southeast Asian countries and Korea. This is the first report of any xenobiotic metabolizing gene from this fish species. Tissue distribution of CYP1A was studied by real-time PCR. Induction pattern of CYP1A was studied by exposing fish to beta-naphthoflavone (BNF). Liver showed the highest level of expression in control as well as BNF-treated fish. However, high levels of expression were also recorded in brain, intestine, and kidney and the least in the muscles. Information on CYP genes in fish from order Siluriformes is limited as compared with other fish orders. This study provides an insight into the xenobiotic metabolizing system of P. fulvidraco and offers baseline information for further research related to biomarker use of CYP1A and detoxification strategies of this commercially important fish species.