Characterization of muscle morphology and satellite cells, and expression of muscle-related genes in skeletal muscle of juvenile and adult Megalobrama amblycephala.

•Muscle morphology and satellite cells during muscle development of Megalobrama amblycephala was characterized.•Numerous SS and IM nuclei were found in 2-year-old fish muscle, but only SS nuclei were observed in 1-year-old fish.•Immunofluorescence results showed that more satellite cells existed in red muscle than white muscle in adult fish.•The mRNA levels of MyoD, Myf5, Mrf4 and MSTN predominantly increased in white muscle of 2-year-old fish, except MyoG.