Family CHANIDAE

Chanidae

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Introduction

The family Chanidae comprises a single widespread genus and species, Chanos chanos. Although the family has not been revised, Bagarinao (1999) detailed the species as found in the Western-Central Pacific, and Larson (1980), Allen et al. (2002) and Paxton et al. (2006) treated it in the Australian context.

Milkfish occur in tropical and subtropical coastal waters of the Indo-west Pacific Oceans; they may enter brackish and, occasionally, fresh waters. Adults apparently feed on algae and detritus and the associated animals. The species is characterised by the presence of many long gill rakers, a single dorsal fin, abdominal pelvic fins, and a lack of fin spines and jaw teeth. The milkfish is widely cultured in ponds for food in South-East Asia. Milkfish attain a length of 1.7 m.

General References

Allen, G.R., Midgley, S.H. & Allen, M. 2002. Field Guide to the Freshwater Fishes of Australia. Perth : Western Australian Museum 394 pp. [335]

Bagarinao, T. 1999. Family Chanidae. pp. 1822-1824 in Carpenter, K.E. & Niem, V.H. (eds). The Living Marine Resources of the Western Central Pacific. FAO Species Identification Guide for Fisheries Purposes. Rome : FAO Vol. 3 pp. 1397-2068. [1822-1824]

Larson, H.K. 1980. Family Chanidae. pp. 51-52 fig. 1 in McDowall, R.M. (ed.). Freshwater Fishes of South-eastern Australia. Sydney : A.H. & A.W. Reed 208 pp., figs, 32 pls.

Paxton, J.R., Gates, J.E. & Hoese, D.F. 2006. Chanidae. pp. 340-341 in Hoese, D.F., Bray, D.J., Paxton, J.R. & Allen, G.R. Fishes. In, Beesley, P.L. & Wells, A. (eds) Zoological Catalogue of Australia. Vol. 35. Volume 35 Australia : ABRS & CSIRO Publishing Parts 1-3, 2178 pp.

Common Name References

Allen, G.R., Midgley, S.H. & Allen, M. 2002. Field Guide to the Freshwater Fishes of Australia. Perth : Western Australian Museum 394 pp. [335] (Milkfish)

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