Milkfish

Quick facts

Adult size

100 cm, 14000 g typical harvest weight

Days to harvest

240 to 365 days from fingerling

Lifespan (max)

up to 15 years

Diet

herbivore

Temperature class

warm-water

Difficulty

intermediate

Water parameters

Temperature range

22–32°C (optimum 28°C)

pH

7 to 9

Hardness

8 to 30 dGH

Minimum tank

5000 L per individual at harvest size

Feed and growth

Feed protein

25% target

Daily feed (warm water)

3.00% of body weight per day

Daily feed (cool water)

1.00% of body weight per day

Max stocking density

50 g per litre of system water

A 14000g adult eats about 420.0 g of feed per day at optimum temperature. For a roster of 10 fish at adult size, that's around 4200 g of feed daily.

Legality

Aquaculture and possession rules vary by jurisdiction and change over time. This table reflects regulations as of the verified date on each row. Verify with your local fisheries or wildlife authority before stocking.

Jurisdictions not listed here default to "check local regulations". A non-listing is not a green light; rules in your specific county or municipality may apply.

Habitat and origin

Native to the Indo-Pacific, from the Red Sea and East African coast across the Indian Ocean to the Pacific islands and Southeast Asia. The species (Chanos chanos) is the sole living member of the family Chanidae. Found in tropical and subtropical coastal waters, estuaries, and freshwater rivers and lakes. Milkfish is one of the most important aquaculture species in Southeast Asia, with the Philippines, Indonesia, and Taiwan producing over 1 million tonnes annually. Culture in the Philippines (where it's called bangus) has a history spanning at least 500 years. Adults reach 1–1.5 m and up to 14 kg in the wild, though culture harvest size is typically 300–600 g. The flesh is white, tender, and distinctively flavored, though notoriously bony (the intramuscular bones are a defining characteristic). Milkfish are herbivorous filter feeders that consume algae, small invertebrates, and organic detritus.

Climate and outdoor ponds

Climate classification

tropical (needs warm water year-round)

Outdoor pond zones (USDA)

11 to 13 (winter low around 4°C or warmer)

Heating in a temperate climate

Required for year-round operation

Cooling in a temperate climate

Not required

Zone bounds reflect year-round outdoor pond viability with no active heating. Anywhere outside the bounded zone, the species can still be kept in an indoor heated tank or a seasonally-managed system. Verify your specific microclimate, as a sheltered yard zone can run a half-zone warmer than the regional rating.

Care notes

A tropical aquaponics species primarily relevant in Southeast Asian and Pacific Island contexts. Milkfish grow in both brackish and fresh water, making them versatile for integrated systems. Optimal temperature is 25–32°C; below 20°C they stop feeding, below 15°C they die. Growth: 300–600 g in 6-10 months on commercial pellet (25-32% protein) or in fertilized ponds where they graze on natural algal mats (lablab) and plankton. FCR on pellet is 1.5-2.0; in extensive pond culture with natural food, the feed input is minimal. Stocking density: 15-30 g/L in intensive systems. The main culture challenge is the boniness of the flesh: milkfish have over 200 intramuscular bones, and deboning is a skilled, labor-intensive process. In the Philippines, deboned milkfish (boneless bangus) is a premium product. For aquaponics outside Southeast Asia, milkfish are unfamiliar to most consumers and the bone issue limits market appeal. Fingerlings (called fry) are collected from the wild or produced in hatcheries across the Philippines and Indonesia. Legal in most tropical jurisdictions. Not practical in temperate climates without heated systems.

Further reading

• Aquaponics water chemistry: balancing pH for fish and plants
• Fish for aquaponics: tilapia vs everything else