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Species Guide

Milkfish

Chano Milkfish
  • Spanish Name: Chano
  • English Name: Milkfish
  • Scientific Name: Chanos chanos
  • Type of specie: Fish
  • Order: Gonorynchiformes
  • Family: Chanidae

Habitat

  • Natural: Estuaries, coastal lagoons, and high-salinity areas in tropical and subtropical waters.
  • Farming: Ponds, cages, and lagoons with controlled salinity and oxygenation.

General Description

  • Body shape: Elongated and fusiform, with a hydrodynamic profile.
  • Distinctive features:

    Silvery body with a darker back. Long, pointed fins, especially the deeply forked tail, and a body without large visible scales.

Size and Weight

  • Average length: Usually between 50 and 100 cm; in the wild, it can reach up to 1.8 meters.
  • Average weight: Commonly between 2 and 14 kg; some specimens can weigh up to 14 kg.

Life Cycle

Rapid growth in aquaculture, reaching market size in 4 to 6 months.

Adaptations

Can tolerate freshwater, brackish, and saltwater environments, making it versatile for farming in various conditions.

Juveniles farming systems

Raised in specialized hatcheries or captured in the wild.

Grow-out farming systems

Mainly in brackish water ponds, coastal lagoons, and marine cages.

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Discover our feeding systems
  • Geographical distribution
Tropical and subtropical regions of the Indian and Pacific Oceans, including Southeast Asia and East Africa.
  • Main producing countries
Philippines, Indonesia, Taiwan, India, Thailand.
  • Commercial value

Highly valued for its white, tender flesh, being a staple food in many Asian cultures.

  • Additional uses

By-products: Processed into fish paste, breaded products, or dried fish.

  • Common preparation methods
Ideal for grilling, frying, steaming, or using in soups and stews.