Species learning profile

Milkfish

Chanos chanos

Milkfish (Chanos chanos) is a brackish fish associated with estuary habitat in Indo-Pacific. It is the only living species in its family.

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MuaraChanidae

At a glance

Perairan
Air payau
Habitat
Muara
Panjang maksimum
180 cm
Sebaran
Indo-Pasifik
Famili
Chanidae
Ordo
Gonorynchiformes

Observe

How to identify Milkfish

  • It is the only living species in its family.
  • Guide context: estuary habitat in Indo-Pacific.
  • Reported maximum length: 180 cm — capable of growing longer than many people are tall. Maximum is not the same as typical adult size.

Field note: color, size, and markings can change with age, sex, season, depth, and lighting. Use several traits together.

Place and pattern

Where it lives—and how it behaves

Habitat and range

This species is associated with estuary habitat across Indo-Pacific. Tides mix fresh and salt water here, and sheltered shallows often serve as productive nursery habitat.

Behavior

Schools between coastal seas, lagoons, and estuaries

Food-web connections

What it eats and why it matters

Diet

Algae, plankton, and detritus.

Ecological role

A major grazer and prey fish in tropical shallows.

Remember

One fact worth keeping

Milkfish dapat tumbuh hingga sekitar 180 cm dan sering ditemukan di sekitar Muara.

Think like a conservationist

A conservation lens

Estuaries are vulnerable to shoreline loss, polluted runoff, dredging, and barriers between nursery and adult habitat.

This habitat lens is not a current population-status assessment. Status can differ among regions and change as new assessments are published; follow the reference links and local fisheries or wildlife agencies for current decisions.

Recall

Quick knowledge check

Which habitat is most closely associated with Milkfish in this guide?

Keep exploring

References and further reading

Fishdle summarizes stable identification and ecology concepts in plain language. Taxonomy and population knowledge continue to change, so use primary assessments and regional authorities for conservation or management decisions.

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