Chanos chanos Forsskål, 1775
The milkfish family is small, containing only one species worldwide. Milkfish are large and silvery with a small pointed mouth, deeply forked tail, and a single, almost sharklike dorsal fin. They grow to 6 ft. in length, although 3 ft. is more typical, and often enter surprisingly shallow areas. They can tolerate brackish or even fresh water but also frequent the deeper reef habitat, typically swimming in midwater well off the bottom. Because of the pointed dorsal fin, snorkelers and divers sometimes mistake them for sharks. The resemblance ends there—lacking teeth, these fish feed by nibbling algal growths and by filtering microplankton, principally blue-green bacteria, from the water. Occasionally small invertebrates or fish may be taken. Although typically solitary, Milkfish sometimes occur in small groups. Hawaiians once raised them in fishponds, regarding them as highly as the `ama`ama, or Striped Mullet. An inexpensive source of protein, Milkfish remain one of the most important cultured food fishes in Southeast Asia. The genus and species names mean "open mouth." The common name refers to the milky white underside. Indo-Pacific and Eastern Pacific. Photo: Palea Point, O`ahu.