What is MilKfish?

Amongst the Chinese speaking communities and local chinese name called it 奶宝鱼 (Nai Bao Yu). Milkfish commonly live in tropical offshore marine waters around islands and along continental shelves, at depths of 1 to 30 m. They also frequently enter estuaries and rivers. The milkfish can grow to 1.8 m, but are most often no more than 1 m in length. They can reach a weight of about 14.0 kg and have a lifespan of up to 15 years.

Consumption

The milkfish is an important seafood in Southeast Asia and some Pacific Islands. It is  very popular in stores and markets, many people in the Philippines continue to enjoy the fish steamed with seasoning, pressure cooked, smoked or even eaten raw. Its meat is always widely processed and sold in the form of canned food, fish balls, fish floss, etc.

AQUACULTURE & FARMING

The Milkfish is widely reared in the Philippines, Indonesia, Taiwan, and into the Pacific. However, they were hard to obtain and produced unpredictable egg viability. Spawning happened in sea/pond cages. These eggs were found to be sufficient to generate a constant supply for farms. Fry are raised in either sea cages, large ponds, or concrete tanks. Breeding is mainly done using natural environmental cues. Our Milkfish nurseries have densities of about 2000/L, and this method of outgrowing is known as pond culture. Our deep ponds ensure less susceptibility to disease than shallow ponds.

HEALTH BENEFITS

Milkfish is a nutritious choice for optimal health and a great source of high- quality protein. It provides essential nutrients such as vitamin A, B12, B6, niacin, selenium, phosphorus, and omega-3 fatty acids, which are crucial for overall wellness. The B-complex vitamins in milkfish, all water-soluble, support metabolism, nervous system health, skin vitality, and the formation of DNA, hormones, and red blood cells. Additionally, milkfish contains beneficial trace elements like calcium, iron, potassium, and zinc.
Here are some key benefits of milkfish:
• Supports bone health and may help reduce cancer risk

• Promotes heart and kidney health
• Aids in mental well-being, potentially lowering anxiety and depression
• Helps prevent age-related cognitive decline
• Contains powerful antioxidants, including Astaxanthin
• High in protein and can be beneficial for weight management

TASTES

Milkfish (奶宝鱼) is a delicious fish. It has been used as food for centuries. Its nearly white flesh is neither too strong nor too mild, and many consider all other fish inferior in taste to Milkfish. There is a thin dark layer just under the skin and a dark strip down the centre, but the dark parts are still quite mild. If you’re not a big fish fan, don’t worry. It can be eaten by itself, or prepared into a great many different recipes.