Dmrt2, dsx and mab3 related transcription factor 2 are members of a gene family of putative transcription factors which contain a common zinc finger like DNA binding motif, DM domain. The full length cDNA of Dmrt2a gene was obtained from total RNA isolated from the liver of goldfish by the technology of RACE (Rapid Amplification of cDNA Ends ). The complete cDNA of goldfish Dmrt2a is 1 755 bp and its ORF (opening reading frame) includes 1 500 bp which codes 499 amino acid residues. Dmrt2a in goldfish shares high homology with Dmrt2a genes from other fishes via phylogenesis analysis. The sequence homologies between deduced goldfish Dmrt2a peptide and that from zebrafish, takifugu, medaka and tilapia are 85%，61%，58% and 58%, respectively. SYBR Green I Quantitative Real time PCR analysis was used to assess the expression of Dmrt2a and Dmrt2b at mRNA level. The Dmrt2a and Dmrt2b genes were expressed from early embryo stage to juveniles of 15 days post hatching (dph). Dmrt2a was expressed highly in embryos, reached a peak at 24 hours post fertilization (hpf), and decreased at 36 hpf; Dmrt2b was expressed lowly in embryos and increased obviously after hatching. In adult goldfish, Dmrt2a and Dmrt2b genes were expressed highly in ovary and testis,and had a low expression in intestine, kidney , liver, heart and brain.