Milkfish Production Research Articles

An economic analysis of the modular pond system of milkfish production in The Philippines

In 1980, the annual yield of milkfish ponds in The Philippines was 800 kg/ha while the potential yield is estimated to be 2000 kg/ha. The modular pond system analyzed in this study can largely close the gap between actual and potential yield through more efficient use of pond capacity to increase the number of croppings up to 7 times in 1 year. Pilot-scale production using the modular pond system was done at the Leganes Research Station (LRS) SEAFDEC, Iloilo, and at three cooperating commercial farms. Scale of operation ranged from 2.7 ha to 7.9 ha. From 2 to 7 production runs were recorded with per hectare outputs ranging from 278 kg to 341 kg per run. Input costs were based on actual figures and the ex-farm milkfish price as P21.00 (4 to 6 fish/kg). The average return on investment and payback period for all sites was 68.81% and 1.25 years, respectively.

Comparison of various water replenishment and fertilization schemes in brackishwater milkfish ponds

Summary The study was undertaken to determine the optimum combination of the frequency of water replenishment and fertilization that can yield the highest growth, survival, and gross production of milkfish. Results indicated that mean body weight and survival were not significantly different (P > 0.05) among the treatments. Gross fish production was higher in biweekly fertilization if considered as a single factor. However, when this was in combination with the weekly or biweekly water replenishment, similar gross fish production was attained. In any case, because biweekly fertilization has a better effect than a weekly schedule, the former should be used in combination with any other level of replenishment. A weekly water replenishment, however, is impractical in big pond areas of 5–10 ha compartments which are still common in some milkfish ponds in the Philippines. Therefore, biweekly water replenishment and fertilization with 16–20–0 at 50 kg ha-1 would be reasonable.

Evaluation of organic and inorganic fertilizers in brackishwater milkfish ponds

The study was conducted in twelve 144-m 2 ponds to evaluate the effect of different organic and inorganic fertilizers on the growth, survival, gross production, and profitability of marketable milkfish. The following treatments were used: Treatment I, SEAFDEC traditional fertilization practice (16-20-0 at 50 kg/ha and 45-0-0 at 15 kg/ha); Treatment II, half-dosage of Treatment I; Treatment III, chicken manure at 0.5 ton/ha; and Treatment IV, MASA (processed from agricultural and industrial wastes) fertilizer at 0.5 ton/ha. All treatments were applied once in every 2 weeks. No significant difference ( P > 0.05) existed in the harvest and production of milkfish among the treatments. However, economic indicators such as return-on-investment (ROI), payback period, and marginal analysis ranked the performance of the fertilizer treatments in the order of I, II, III and IV. Fish kills occurred in three ponds applied with chicken manure and MASA fertilizer. This could have been due to a heavy build-up of organic matter in the pond bottom which led to the collapse of the benthic algal community, depletion of dissolved oxygen and the presence of hydrogen sulfide. It is therefore suggested that a lower dosage of organic fertilizer should be applied in ponds especially during the rainy season.

The effect of stunting on growth, survival, and net production of milkfish ( Chanos chanos Forsskal)

The seasonal abundance of milkfish fry in the Philippines has led to the practice of buying a sufficient supply during the peak season to compensate for the shortage during slack periods. Fry that are not immediately grown out are crowded and stunted in transition ponds until they are transferred to rearing ponds. Milkfish farmers believe that stunted fingerlings grow faster than newly grown ones and therefore yield extra croppings. To assess the efficiency of production schemes, stunted and non-stunted milkfish fingerlings were cultured in twelve 144-m 2 ponds for a 3-month period. The treatments employed were: Treatment I, 2-month-old fingerlings; Treatment II, 3-month-old fingerlings; and Treatment III, 6-month-old fingerlings, with the initial weights of 3.3 g, 7.8 g, and 43.1 g, respectively. Survival, net production, cumulative and monthly weight gains did not differ significantly ( P > 0.05) among the three treatments. The results indicate that stunting did not illicit a significant increase, nor did it adversely affect the growth, survival, and net production of milkfish in a straight culture system. Stunting can therefore be practised by farmers to provide an adequate supply of fingerlings for year-round operation.

The effect of duration of feeding on survival, growth and production of milkfish, Chanos chanos (Forskal), in brackishwater ponds in The Philippines

Milkfish ( Chanos chanos) fingerlings with an average weight of 16.3 g were stocked at 4000 per ha in twelve 500-m 2 experimental brackishwater ponds. The duration of supplementary feeding using pelletized chick starter (21.15% protein) at a ration of 5% of the biomass, was varied between 0 and 3 months. The duration of supplementary feeding had no significant effect on the survival, growth and production of milkfish. The results indicated that supplementary feeding of milkfish was not necessary at a stocking level of 4000 fish/ha, when adequate pond fertilization was carried out.

Effect of different stocking combinations on growth, production and survival of milkfish (Chanos chanos Forskal) and prawn (Penaeus monodon Fabricius) in polyculture in brackishwater ponds

Abstract Milkfish ( Chanos chanos ) and prawn ( Penaeus monodon ) were stocked in 500 m 2 earthen ponds from 12 November 1978 to 15 March 1979 at the following combinations: 2000 milkfish fingerlings per ha (treatment I); 2000 milkfish fingerlings plus 4000 prawn juveniles per ha (treatment II); and 2000 milkfish fingerlings plus 8000 prawn juveniles per ha (treatment III), with three replicates per treatment. Highest combined net milkfish and prawn production was obtained in treatment III with 492.1 kg/ha followed by treatment II with 404.1 kg/ha, and treatment I (milkfish only) with 280 kg/ha. Differences in combined net production between treatments III and I and between treatments II and I were statistically significant at the 5% level. Average net production of milkfish alone was also highest in treatment III followed by treatment II and treatment I, although differences were not significant. Average net production for prawn was also better in treatment III than in treatment II but the difference was not significant. However, mean weight of prawn was higher in treatment II compared to treatment III. Average survival rates were high for milkfish in all treatments ranging from 90 to 96%, but low for prawn at around 50% for both treatments. There was no significant difference in survival rates of milkfish among treatments and of prawn between treatments II and III. The competition index between milkfish and prawn at the given stocking combinations was negative indicating a positive, advantageous influence of prawn on milkfish production.

Polyculture of milkfish ( Chanos chanos Forskal), all-male Nile tilapia ( Tilapia nilotica) and snakehead ( Ophicephalus striatus) in freshwater ponds with supplemental feeding

Results showed that all-male Nile tilapia can be cultured in milkfish ponds without affecting the growth and production of milkfish, at ratios of 1–3 tilapia to 5 milkfish; 2:5 is the optimum ratio. Supplemental feeding with fine rice bran or copra meal at a daily rate of 5% of the biomass increased the net production of milkfish but had no influence on all-male Nile tilapia. Standing crop of about 890 kg/ha in 135 days was obtained in a polyculture system of milkfish, all-male Nile tilapia and snakehead when fed rice bran.

Culture of Milkfish (Chanos chanos) as a Means of Increasing Animal Protein Supply

Among the marine fishes, the milkfish (Chanos chanos) is most successfully cultured in ponds. The total area of milkfish ponds in the three main milkfish producing countries (Indonesia, Philippines, and Taiwan) is about 320,000 ha. Yield of about 2000 kg/ha per yr is being achieved in Taiwan, the yield in Indonesia (340 kg/ha per yr) and Philippines (560 kg/ha per yr) being considerably lower.If the pond management method of Taiwan is adopted, the present 320,000 ha of milkfish ponds of the above mentioned three countries could produce at least 640,000 metric tons of milkfish per year. Production could be further increased by increasing the fish pond acreage. (Philippines has some 400,000 ha of undeveloped mangrove covered swampland that could be developed into fish ponds).Increase of milkfish production by expansion of the cultural areas faces the following problems: 1) limitation of the natural supply of seed fish; 2) market demand; and 3) effects of milkfish farming on local ecology.Little research on milkfish has been done. It is proposed that future research should emphasize: 1) research on artificial propagation of milkfish to supply seed for milkfish farming; 2) research on the nutritional requirements and feeding habits of milkfish; 3) research on modification of present cultural practice to permit polyculture in milkfish ponds; and 4) research on processing milkfish into products of universal acceptance.

Economic comparison of milkfish farming in Taiwan and the Philippines, 1972–1975

Economic surveys of milkfish production in ponds in Taiwan and the Philippines for 1972 are compared and the economic changes that occurred in the milkfish industry during 1972–1975 in both countries are discussed. The relative costs of production in these countries are evaluated in terms of output per unit of input (land and labor), and by comparing differences in production and marketing per unit of output. The advantages and disadvantages of the different milkfish farming practices in these countries are also explained.