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Bangos (Chanos chanos) — Chanidae

Bangos

Chanos chanos
Family: Chanidae
LC · Least Concern

The Bangos (Chanos chanos) is a fish that lives in both fresh and salt water of the family Chanidae that grows up to 180 cm.

Length
180 cm
Water
Euryhaline
Depth
1.0–30.0 m
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Schooling
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Highly prized

Description

The milkfish (Chanos chanos) is a large, silvery fish and the only species of the family Chanidae, widely distributed in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. The species has a streamlined, torpedo-shaped body with a deeply forked tail and can reach about 1.8 metres. Adults live in coastal seas and shallow bays, often enter estuaries and sometimes penetrate fresh water; they form schools near coasts and reefs. It is a peaceful plankton and algae feeder. The milkfish is one of the world's most important farmed fishes, especially in Southeast Asian aquaculture, and is widely eaten.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Bangos?

The Bangos has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a plain pattern.

Where does the Bangos live?

The Bangos lives in both fresh and salt water and is mostly found around mixed bottom.

How big does the Bangos get?

The Bangos grows to a maximum of about 180 cm. On average the species is around 100 cm.

Is the Bangos dangerous to humans?

No, the Bangos is harmless to humans.

Is the Bangos edible?

Yes, the Bangos is a highly prized food fish.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Bandeng sourced
English name
Bangos verified
Scientific name
Chanos chanos
Family
Chanidae
Other names
Bangos; Bony salmon; Giant herring; Milk fish verified

Appearance

Size class
Extra large verified
Max length (cm)
180.0 verified
Average length (cm)
100.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey inferred
Pattern
Plain inferred
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Terminal inferred
Lips
Thin inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous inferred
Dorsal spines
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Euryhaline sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
1.0 verified
Max depth (m)
30.0 verified
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Schooling inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
levensduur_max_jaar
15.0 verified

For anglers

Edibility
Highly prized sourced
Fishing method
Wordt vooral gekweekt in vijvers; recreatief gevangen met deegaas of kleine kunstaasjes en in werpnetten gevangen. sourced
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

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