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Tending to Milkfish in Freshwater: A Fishy Tale

Maintaining milkfish in freshwater isn't worlds apart from nurturing them in brackish water ponds. As a fish with euryhaline tendencies (adaptable to a wide range of salinity), milkfish can thrive just fine in freshwater. In freshwater environments, you can keep them in ponds, cages, enclosures, and Floating Net Cages (FNCs).


Floating Nets for Milkfish

Floating nets, a novel approach in the world of milkfish farming, provide a fascinating way to rear these aquatic wonders. Imagine a buoyant sanctuary gently bobbing on the water's surface, where milkfish thrive in their own aquatic haven. The concept is ingenious – a marriage of human innovation and nature's harmony.

These floating nets, akin to suspended islands, offer a haven where milkfish can embrace the currents and dance with the ripples of freshwater. It's like they've claimed a piece of the water's soul for themselves. These nets, thoughtfully designed, cradle the milkfish within their embrace, allowing them to flourish while being shielded from the ever-shifting underwater world.

The beauty lies not only in their functionality but also in their visual poetry. Picture this: a symphony of silver scales glinting under the sunlight as milkfish elegantly navigate their buoyant realm. It's almost as if these nets have become a canvas for the fish to paint their own underwater masterpiece.

As technology and nature converge, these floating nets encapsulate the spirit of innovation and sustainability. They provide a glimpse into a future where aquaculture and conservation coexist in perfect harmony. With each ripple and each leap, the milkfish within these nets remind us of the boundless wonders of the aquatic world and the human capacity to work in tandem with nature.

Caged Milkfish Farming

Caged milkfish farming presents a captivating fusion of aquaculture and innovation, a harmonious blend of modern techniques and the ancient art of nurturing aquatic life. Imagine a series of underwater sanctuaries, each home to a community of milkfish, thriving in an environment carefully curated to mimic their natural habitat.

These cages, submerged beneath the water's surface, encapsulate a world where milkfish flourish, where they navigate the currents and build their lives within the confines of these underwater enclosures. It's a mesmerizing sight to behold – a school of milkfish dancing in unison, their silvery forms weaving through the water, their vibrant energy a testament to the success of this innovative approach.

Every aspect of caged milkfish farming is a testament to meticulous planning and dedicated care. From the design of the cages themselves, engineered to provide the perfect balance of space and protection, to the nutrient-rich feed that sustains these aquatic residents, every detail is meticulously considered.

The result is a symbiotic relationship between the farmers and the fish, a partnership that not only ensures the health and well-being of the milkfish but also yields bountiful harvests. It's a testament to the ingenuity of humanity, to our ability to harness nature's wisdom and channel it into sustainable practices that benefit both us and the environment.

As you gaze upon these submerged farms, you can't help but feel a sense of awe – an appreciation for the delicate balance that caged milkfish farming strikes between tradition and progress, between honoring nature's rhythms and embracing technology's potential. It's a reminder that our connection to the natural world is profound and that, through innovation and dedication, we can cultivate abundance while preserving the wonders of aquatic life for generations to come.

Floating Net Cage for Milkfish


A. Adaptation of Fry (baby milkfish)

Fry, usually raised in brackish water conditions from parental nurturing to fingerlings, requires a salinity range of 30-32 ppt (eggs and larvae) and 10-20 ppt (young fry). To make milkfish suitable for freshwater habitats, a gradual adaptation process is necessary due to the reduction in salinity. Sudden drops in salinity could lead to decreased survival rates for fry. While fry naturally adjust to freshwater, the decline in salinity must be managed progressively rather than abruptly. An optimal reduction involves transitioning from 30 ppt to 0 ppt over 3 days, decreasing the salinity by 10 ppt each day.


Fry's Acclimation Process in Tanks

To acclimate fry to freshwater, a common practice involves using tanks with a density of 1000 fry/m². The salinity reduction occurs in stages by diluting seawater in the tank with freshwater incrementally. This gradual approach ensures that the fry doesn't become stressed or perish.


B. Rearing Milkfish in Ponds

When rearing milkfish in earthen ponds, it's essential that the pond's condition is optimal prior to stocking. Here are the stages involved in milkfish farming within ponds.


  1. Pond Preparation

Allow the pond to dry for 3-7 days. This helps eliminate pests and disease-causing bacteria at the pond's bottom. Ensure the pond's embankments are sturdy, and provide a water outlet for ease of draining. It's also important to loosen the pond's bottom soil using tools, facilitating quick mud formation when water returns. Apply lime to the pond's bottom to adjust the soil pH, aiming for a pH level of 7.0 - 8.0. This prevents disease outbreaks among fry. Then, fertilize the pond with organic matter at a rate of 1 ton/hectare, along with Urea and TSP fertilizers at 150kg/hectare and 75kg/hectare respectively. After fertilization, let the water stand at a depth of 10 cm for 3-4 days. This encourages the growth of microorganisms in the pond's bottom soil during the organic matter decomposition. On the 5th day, increase the water level to 40 cm.


  1. Stocking Fry

Stocking milkfish fry can commence when the water reaches a depth of 40 cm. The recommended stocking density for 3-5 cm-long fry (young milkfish) is 3-5 fry per square meter. During the acclimation period in the new pond, lasting 3-7 days, the young milkfish can rely on residual nutrients from organic matter and fertilizers. After 7 days, raise the water level to 1 meter, and introduce commercial feed pellets.


  1. Feeding with Artificial Pellets

Feeding milkfish in the growth phase involves providing them with artificial pellets three times a day, at a rate of 50 kg/hectare/day or 3-5% of their body weight. Feeding times are typically 07:00-08:00 (20% = 10kg/hectare), 11:00-12:00 (40% = 20kg/hectare), and 16:00-17:00 (40% = 20kg/hectare).


  1. Harvesting Time

Harvest milkfish according to market demand. Live bait milkfish can be harvested after 4 months, with a weight of 10-20 fish/kg. For consumption, milkfish can be harvested after 6 months, weighing around 3-4 fish/kg. For advanced milkfish farming, continue rearing until they are 8-10 months old, achieving a weight of 1-2 fish/kg.


That's the lowdown on freshwater milkfish farming methods. Hopefully, this knowledge is valuable to all of us.


Warm regards,

Source: Freshwater Milkfish Farming Author: M. Ghufran H. Kodri K Publisher: PT. PERCA Address: Jl. Rawagelam III/4 Industrial Area Pulogadung Jakarta 13930 Year: 2007

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