The biochemical composition of wild and cultured yellow croaker, Larimichthys polyactis, was analyzed in this study. The moisture contents in wild and cultured yellow croaker was high: $75.2{pm}1.60%$ and $79.5{pm}1.95%$, respectively. The crude lipid contents of wild and cultured yellow croaker were low; moreover, the crude protein and ash contents did nol differ significantly (P>0.05). The total amino acid content of wild and cultured yellow croaker did not differ significantly; however, the cystine content of wild yellow croaker was higher than than of cultured yellow croaker. The essential /nonessential amino acid (E/NE) ratio in wild and cultured yellow croaker was $0.76{pm}0.01$ and $0.77{pm}0.02$, respectively. The free amino acid and extractive nitrogen contents of cultured yellow croaker were high and differed significantly. The water soluble vitamin ($B_1$, $B_2$, $B_6$, $B_{12}$, C and folate) and fat-soluble vitamin (A and E) contents did not differ significantly. expect for niacin. The niacin content of cultured yellow croaker was higher than that of wild yellow croaker. The fatty acid composition of wild and cultured yellow croaker did not differ significantly The sodium, magnesium, and copper contents in wild yellow croaker were relatively low. In comparison, the calcium, phosphorus and iron contents in cultured yellow croaker were relatively high. Overall, the biochemical composition of wild and cultured yellow croaker did not differ significantly.