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Biology of Milkfish 2015
Biology of Milkfish 2015
Biology of Milkfish 2015
HISTORY OF MILKFISH
• By: Jennifer C. Bolandos
• Training Specialist ll
•
Phylum - Chordata
Subphylum - Vertebrata
Class – Osteichthyes
Subclass – Actinopterygii
Order – Gonorynchiformes
Suborder – Chanoidei
Family – Chanidae
Genus – Chanos
Eye
• A milkfish with red head, red fins and brilliant blue dorsal
surface was reported from Darwin Harbor in northern Australia
Advantage of milkfish as a cultured species over
other species
Herbivore/omnivore
Efficient feed converter
Economic/social impacts: important
aquaculture fish in parts of south-east asia
Advantage of Milkfish as a cultured species
over other species
• Optimum salinity and temperature ranges are 20-30
ppt and 23-30oC, respectively.
• They can grow to 1.70 m (5ft 7 in) but are most often
about 1 meter (39 in.) in length
• Economic/social impacts: important aquaculture fish
in parts of south-east asia
Life stages and Development
• Milkfish reach sexual maturity at 1.5 kg
(3.3lb.) which takes 5 years in floating
cage, but 8-10 years in ponds and tanks.
• Once 6 kg. (13.2 lb.)is reached (8 yrs.) an
average of 3-4 million eggs will be
produced each breeding cycle.( mainly
done using natural environmental cues)
4 Major Life Cycle Stages
Summary of life history of milkfish (Chanos chanos)
ADULTS EGGS LARVAE FRY JUVENILES SUB-
ADULTS
SIZE (Total 50-150 cm 1.1-1.3mm 3.5mm at 10-16mm 2-50 cm 50-70 cm
length-TL) diameter hatch to
16 mm
AGE 5-20 yrs 1 day 1-21 days 2-4 wks 1-12 mos 1-5 yrs