Milkfish

Milkfish is a ray-finned fish species, scientifically named Chanos chanos, and the only living species in the family Chanidae.

Milkfish is a ray-finned fish species, scientifically named Chanos chanos, and the only living species in the family Chanidae. It is native to the tropical and subtropical Indo-Pacific and is widely cultured as a food fish, especially in Southeast Asia and the Philippines.

Taxonomy and naming

Milkfish is Chanos chanos, the only extant species in the family Chanidae. It is also known by regional names such as bangus in the Philippines and bandeng in Indonesia.

Distribution and habitat

The species is found across the Indo-Pacific, from the Indian Ocean to the western and central Pacific. It lives in marine, brackish, and freshwater habitats, including coastal waters, lagoons, and estuaries.

Biology and appearance

Milkfish are schooling fish with a small toothless mouth and a deeply forked tail. They are silvery blue-green above, with a silvery side sheen and a white underside. They can grow to about 1.8 m long and weigh around 14–15 kg, with a lifespan of up to about 15 years.

Aquaculture and human use

Milkfish is a major aquaculture species in tropical Asia because it tolerates a range of salinities and is widely farmed in ponds, brackish water, and marine systems. In the Philippines, it is considered the national fish. It is eaten fresh, dried, smoked, or filleted.