DEDICATION

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

TABLE OF CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION

ZOOGEOGRAPHY

ECOLOGY

BIOLOGY AND BEHAVIOR

VALUE OF FISH RESOURCES

CONSERVATION AND MANAGEMENT

DANGEROUS MARINE FISHES

HOW TO USE THIS BOOK

BIBLIOGRAPHY

SPECIES INDEX

CHAMORRO NAMES

CHANIDAE (MILKFISHES)

Chanos chanos (Forsskål)
(Milkfish; Agua [large], Faya [small], Bangus)
SL:  to 180 cm, rarely over 50 cm (photo: 90 cm SL, Hawaii)

The Milkfish is one of the most important food fishes throughout S.E. Asia and much of the Pacific, but it is relatively uncommon on Guam.  Adult Milkfish occur in a variety of habitats, from shallow inner lagoons to the outer reef slope.  The spawning season varies from place to place.  In Palau they spawn beyond the edge of the reef, near the sea surface, a few days around both full and new moons.  Females produce up to several million eggs which hatch in a few days.  Fry 10–14 days old enter brackish waters.  They feed on benthic algae and its associated invertebrate fauna.

INDO-PACIFIC:  Red Sea to the Societies and Hawaii, n. to s. Japan, s. to New Caledonia.