A feed for milkfish that is acceptable and permits growth may be prepared by “home industry” processing equipment. With proper feeding technique, (do not overfeed, feed only when fish are active, and not when fish are stressed due to water quality or handling), almost 100 percent ingestion may be expected. Sticky rice cakes or cassava cakes, using ingredients that are selected or prepared so that the particle size matches the ability of the fish to eat them can easily be prepared at home. Cassava, sago root, ganjong (canna), or sticky rice may be used as a binder with enough water for a paste and with enough steaming time to assure a gelatinization of starch.
Since milkfish graze almost constantly, a low-cost, low-nutrient density feed seems to be suitable. The sticky but crumbly cake satisfies the fish's food texture requirements. It seems quite superior to commercial hard pellets. Hard pellets made for the poultry and livestock industries break up into “fines” when handled and unless made so water-stable that they become tough they separate quickly into water into their individual components.
The use of feeding tray is recommended for feed cakes or any other feed used in milkfish culture. Bamboo trays of metre diameter become water-logged in a few days and remain on the bottom, or may be suspended at any desired level.
