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Estimated numbers of individuals in global aquaculture production (FAO) of fish species (2016)

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This page shows aquaculture production tonnages (FAO) for fish species in 2016, together with estimated mean weights (EMWs) and estimated fish numbers.
Farmed fish numbers killed for food in 2016 are estimated to total 47,841 -158,743 million, or 48-159 billion, fishes.

Scroll to the end to see the totals and footnotes. Click on the 'EMW id' for details on derivation of estimated mean weight using methods in Note 2 below.
 
LineSpeciesProduction (t)1Estimated
mean
weight
(EMW)
(g)2
EMW id2Estimated
numbers
(millions)3
1Grass carp(=White amur) (Ctenopharyngodon idellus)5,444,345500-2,500EMW-872,178 - 10,889
2Silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix)4,717,259300-1,500EMW-1823,145 - 15,724
3Common carp (Cyprinus carpio)4,054,695500-2,500EMW-571,622 - 8,109
4Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus)3,918,092250-800EMW-1294,898 - 15,672
5Bighead carp (Hypophthalmichthys nobilis)3,161,494500-1,500EMW-292,108 - 6,323
6Carassius spp (Carassius spp)2,726,747150-400EMW-5356,817 - 18,178
7Freshwater fishes nei (Osteichthyes)2,580,651Not specifically estimated4 
8Catla (Catla catla)2,509,359300-2,000EMW-431,255 - 8,365
9Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar)2,247,2933,614-8,434EMW-21266 - 622
10Roho labeo (Labeo rohita)1,842,335300-1,500EMW-1671,228 - 6,141
11Pangas catfishes nei (Pangasius spp)1,667,527500-1,500EMW-1421,112 - 3,335
12Tilapias nei (Oreochromis(=Tilapia) spp)1,213,509250-800EMW-2151,517 - 4,854
13Milkfish (Chanos chanos)1,194,807250-500EMW-1222,390 - 4,779
14Striped catfish (Pangasius hypophthalmus)961,406500-1,500EMW-206641 - 1,923
15Torpedo-shaped catfishes nei (Clarias spp)879,308Not specifically estimated4 
16Wuchang bream (Megalobrama amblycephala)858,354450-500EMW-2291,717 - 1,907
17Rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)816,657210-5,000EMW-155163 - 3,889
18Marine fishes nei (Osteichthyes)688,293Not specifically estimated4 
19Black carp (Mylopharyngodon piceus)680,0192,000-3,000EMW-30227 - 340
20Cyprinids nei (Cyprinidae)676,907Not specifically estimated4 
21Mrigal carp (Cirrhinus mrigala)479,264300-1,100EMW-124436 - 1,598
22Snakehead (Channa argus)478,747Not specifically estimated4 
23Yellow catfish (Pelteobagrus fulvidraco)434,42550-200EMW-2302,172 - 8,689
24Amur catfish (Silurus asotus)397,839Not specifically estimated4 
25Blue-Nile tilapia, hybrid (Oreochromis aureus x O. niloticus)390,082Not specifically estimated4 
26Asian swamp eel (Monopterus albus)387,772Not specifically estimated4 
27Channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus)383,869340-680EMW-45565 - 1,129
28Pond loach (Misgurnus anguillicaudatus)373,581Not specifically estimated4 
29Largemouth black bass (Micropterus salmoides)349,267680-680EMW-110514
30Mandarin fish (Siniperca chuatsi)314,897500-500EMW-115630
31Japanese eel (Anguilla japonica)244,395100-250EMW-100978 - 2,444
32Pirapatinga (Piaractus brachypomus)236,201500-1,000EMW-147236 - 472
33North African catfish (Clarias gariepinus)235,684500-1,500EMW-132157 - 471
34European seabass (Dicentrarchus labrax)191,810400-500EMW-72384 - 480
35Gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata)189,208300-400EMW-81473 - 631
36Mullets nei (Mugilidae)168,538Not specifically estimated4 
37Large yellow croaker (Larimichthys croceus)159,529Not specifically estimated4 
38Groupers nei (Epinephelus spp)147,653Not specifically estimated4 
39Japanese seabass (Lateolabrax japonicus)147,362500-500EMW-102295
40Cachama (Colossoma macropomum)142,230500-2,000EMW-4071 - 284
41Japanese amberjack (Seriola quinqueradiata)140,8683,500-6,000EMW-9923 - 40
42Giant gourami (Osphronemus goramy)134,6982,000-3,000EMW-8045 - 67
43Silver barb (Barbonymus gonionotus)133,964100-200EMW-181670 - 1,340
44Coho(=Silver) salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch)124,188Not specifically estimated4 
45Snubnose pompano (Trachinotus blochii)115,331Not specifically estimated4 
46Freshwater siluroids nei (Siluroidei)105,900Not specifically estimated4 
47Africa-bighead catfish, hybrid (Clarias gariepinus x C. macrocephalus)102,444Not specifically estimated4 
48Sturgeons nei (Acipenseridae)93,104Not specifically estimated4 
49Porgies, seabreams nei (Sparidae)74,195Not specifically estimated4 
50Red drum (Sciaenops ocellatus)70,2431,000-1,000EMW-15670
51Lefteye flounders nei (Bothidae)68,080Not specifically estimated4 
52Silver seabream (Pagrus auratus)66,965400-400EMW-184167
53Turbot (Psetta maxima)59,617700-2,000EMW-21930 - 85
54Barramundi(=Giant seaperch) (Lates calcarifer)59,447300-2,000EMW-2530 - 198
55Climbing perch (Anabas testudineus)58,661Not specifically estimated4 
56Striped snakehead (Channa striata)44,902300-1,100EMW-20741 - 150
57Bastard halibut (Paralichthys olivaceus)43,929800-1,500EMW-2629 - 55
58Mozambique tilapia (Oreochromis mossambicus)42,911500-800EMW-12354 - 86
59Cobia (Rachycentron canadum)41,9886,000-8,000EMW-555 - 7
60Tambacu, hybrid (P.mesopotamicus x C.macropomum)36,900Not specifically estimated4 
61Indonesian snakehead (Channa micropeltes)34,375500-700EMW-9549 - 69
62Tiger pufferfish (Takifugu rubripes)26,499Not specifically estimated4 
63Nilem carp (Osteochilus hasselti)26,006Not specifically estimated4 
64Salmonids nei (Salmonidae)25,706Not specifically estimated4 
65Trouts nei (Salmo spp)25,415Not specifically estimated4 
66Orangefin labeo (Labeo calbasu)25,191Not specifically estimated4 
67Chinese longsnout catfish (Leiocassis longirostris)24,823Not specifically estimated4 
68Amberjacks nei (Seriola spp)23,978Not specifically estimated4 
69Meagre (Argyrosomus regius)23,470Not specifically estimated4 
70Snakeskin gourami (Trichogaster pectoralis)22,29680-120EMW-189186 - 279
71Pacific bluefin tuna (Thunnus orientalis)22,169Not specifically estimated4 
72Clearhead icefish (Protosalanx hyalocranius)21,088Not specifically estimated4 
73Korean rockfish (Sebastes schlegeli)18,032Not specifically estimated4 
74Pangas catfish (Pangasius pangasius)16,786Not specifically estimated4 
75Pacu (Piaractus mesopotamicus)15,847Not specifically estimated4 
76Nile perch (Lates niloticus)15,624Not specifically estimated4 
77Righteye flounders nei (Pleuronectidae)15,066Not specifically estimated4 
78Pond smelt (Hypomesus olidus)13,439Not specifically estimated4 
79Chinook(=Spring=King) salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha)12,943Not specifically estimated4 
80Tambatinga, hybrid (C. macropomum x P. brachypomus)11,762Not specifically estimated4 
81Mangrove red snapper (Lutjanus argentimaculatus)10,420Not specifically estimated4 
82Brycon amazonicus (Brycon amazonicus)9,700Not specifically estimated4 
83Snakeheads(=Murrels) nei (Channa spp)9,643Not specifically estimated4 
84Reticulate knifefish (Papyrocranus afer)9,460Not specifically estimated4 
85Southern bluefin tuna (Thunnus maccoyii)8,895Not specifically estimated4 
86Arapaima (Arapaima gigas)8,742Not specifically estimated4 
87Hoven's carp (Leptobarbus hoeveni)7,679Not specifically estimated4 
88Atlantic bluefin tuna (Thunnus thynnus)6,909Not specifically estimated4 
89European eel (Anguilla anguilla)6,794Not specifically estimated4 
90Asian redtail catfish (Hemibagrus nemurus)6,763Not specifically estimated4 
91Philippine catfish (Clarias batrachus)6,743Not specifically estimated4 
92Arctic char (Salvelinus alpinus)6,608Not specifically estimated4 
93Aba (Gymnarchus niloticus)6,571Not specifically estimated4 
94Flathead grey mullet (Mugil cephalus)6,534500-1,500EMW-764 - 13
95Ayu sweetfish (Plecoglossus altivelis)6,278Not specifically estimated4 
96Asian barbs nei (Puntius spp)6,171Not specifically estimated4 
97Stinging catfish (Heteropneustes fossilis)6,153Not specifically estimated4 
98Brycon spp (Brycon spp)6,130Not specifically estimated4 
99Small scale mud carp (Cirrhinus microlepis)6,000Not specifically estimated4 
100Upsidedown catfishes (Synodontis spp)5,694Not specifically estimated4 
101John's snapper (Lutjanus johnii)5,556Not specifically estimated4 
102Kissing gourami (Helostoma temminckii)5,555Not specifically estimated4 
103Characins nei (Characidae)5,479Not specifically estimated4 
104Olive barb (Systomus sarana)5,442Not specifically estimated4 
105Striped bass, hybrid (Morone chrysops x M. saxatilis)5,382816-816EMW-2057
106Japanese seabream (Pagrus major)5,321Not specifically estimated4 
107Obscure pufferfish (Takifugu obscurus)5,044Not specifically estimated4 
108Finfishes nei (Osteichthyes)5,044Not specifically estimated4 
109African bonytongue (Heterotis niloticus)4,982Not specifically estimated4 
110Whitefishes nei (Coregonus spp)4,951Not specifically estimated4 
111Grass-eaters nei (Distichodus spp)4,943Not specifically estimated4 
112Tilapia shiranus (Oreochromis shiranus)4,851Not specifically estimated4 
113Isok barb (Probarbus jullieni)4,800Not specifically estimated4 
114Citharinus nei (Citharinus spp)4,396Not specifically estimated4 
115Three spotted tilapia (Oreochromis andersonii)4,036Not specifically estimated4 
116Mud carp (Cirrhinus molitorella)4,019Not specifically estimated4 
117Manipur osteobrama (Osteobrama belangeri)4,000Not specifically estimated4 
118Sea trout (Salmo trutta)3,989Not specifically estimated4 
119White trevally (Pseudocaranx dentex)3,941Not specifically estimated4 
120Parachanna snakeheads nei (Parachanna spp)3,819Not specifically estimated4 
121Salmonoids nei (Salmonoidei)3,656Not specifically estimated4 
122Fourfinger threadfin (Eleutheronema tetradactylum)3,481Not specifically estimated4 
123Red porgy (Pagrus pagrus)3,256Not specifically estimated4 
124Blue tilapia (Oreochromis aureus)3,179500-800EMW-344 - 6
125Redbreast tilapia (Tilapia rendalli)3,142Not specifically estimated4 
126Leporinus spp (Leporinus spp)3,100Not specifically estimated4 
127Crucian carp (Carassius carassius)2,852150-400EMW-627 - 19
128Kafue pike (Hepsetus odoe)2,816Not specifically estimated4 
129Netted prochilod (Prochilodus reticulatus)2,800Not specifically estimated4 
130Prochilods nei (Prochilodus spp)2,732Not specifically estimated4 
131Roach (Rutilus rutilus)2,012Not specifically estimated4 
132Brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis)1,928Not specifically estimated4 
133Chars nei (Salvelinus spp)1,825Not specifically estimated4 
134Catfishes nei (Ictalurus spp)1,704Not specifically estimated4 
135Wels(=Som) catfish (Silurus glanis)1,683Not specifically estimated4 
136Blackhead seabream (Acanthopagrus schlegeli)1,545Not specifically estimated4 
137Atlantic halibut (Hippoglossus hippoglossus)1,5283,000-5,000EMW-20< 1 - 1
138Senegalese sole (Solea senegalensis)1,510Not specifically estimated4 
139Tench (Tinca tinca)1,442Not specifically estimated4 
140Pike-perch (Sander lucioperca)1,303Not specifically estimated4 
141Wallago (Wallago attu)1,157Not specifically estimated4 
142Northern pike (Esox lucius)1,094Not specifically estimated4 
143Black prochilodus (Prochilodus nigricans)970Not specifically estimated4 
144Marble goby (Oxyeleotris marmorata)959Not specifically estimated4 
145Longfin tilapia (Oreochromis macrochir)900Not specifically estimated4 
146Hoplias spp (Hoplias spp)800Not specifically estimated4 
147European whitefish (Coregonus lavaretus)768Not specifically estimated4 
148Florida pompano (Trachinotus carolinus)750Not specifically estimated4 
149Japanese jack mackerel (Trachurus japonicus)740Not specifically estimated4 
150Spotted rose snapper (Lutjanus guttatus)700Not specifically estimated4 
151Spotted snakehead (Channa punctata)584Not specifically estimated4 
152Freshwater bream (Abramis brama)562Not specifically estimated4 
153Snappers nei (Lutjanus spp)538Not specifically estimated4 
154European perch (Perca fluviatilis)537Not specifically estimated4 
155Bronze featherback (Notopterus notopterus)515Not specifically estimated4 
156Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua)5092,000-5,000EMW-19< 1
157Goldfish (Carassius auratus)463Not specifically estimated4 
158Orange-spotted grouper (Epinephelus coioides)417Not specifically estimated4 
159Filefishes, leatherjackets nei (Monacanthidae)417Not specifically estimated4 
160Great snakehead (Channa marulius)406Not specifically estimated4 
161Longfin yellowtail (Seriola rivoliana)400Not specifically estimated4 
162Dotted gizzard shad (Konosirus punctatus)390Not specifically estimated4 
163Silver perch (Bidyanus bidyanus)382Not specifically estimated4 
164Striped bass (Morone saxatilis)380Not specifically estimated4 
165River eels nei (Anguilla spp)301Not specifically estimated4 
166Black bullhead (Ameiurus melas)300Not specifically estimated4 
167Oreochromis tanganicae (Oreochromis tanganicae)300Not specifically estimated4 
168Shi drum (Umbrina cirrosa)298Not specifically estimated4 
169Sabaki tilapia (Oreochromis spilurus)280Not specifically estimated4 
170Blackchin tilapia (Sarotherodon melanotheron)263Not specifically estimated4 
171Groupers, seabasses nei (Serranidae)256Not specifically estimated4 
172Banded astyanax (Astyanax fasciatus)250Not specifically estimated4 
173Pacific chub mackerel (Scomber japonicus)247Not specifically estimated4 
174Jacks, crevalles nei (Caranx spp)246Not specifically estimated4 
175Scorpionfishes, redfishes nei (Scorpaenidae)228Not specifically estimated4 
176Spinefeet(=Rabbitfishes) nei (Siganus spp)227Not specifically estimated4 
177Danube sturgeon(=Osetr) (Acipenser gueldenstaedtii)220Not specifically estimated4 
178Siberian sturgeon (Acipenser baerii)218Not specifically estimated4 
179Convict grouper (Epinephelus septemfasciatus)217Not specifically estimated4 
180Kelee shad (Hilsa kelee)200Not specifically estimated4 
181Hypsibarbus spp (Hypsibarbus spp)190Not specifically estimated4 
182Blackspot(=red) seabream (Pagellus bogaraveo)178Not specifically estimated4 
183Sharpsnout seabream (Diplodus puntazzo)158Not specifically estimated4 
184Malabar grouper (Epinephelus malabaricus)143Not specifically estimated4 
185Snappers, jobfishes nei (Lutjanidae)134Not specifically estimated4 
186Barbel (Barbus barbus)132Not specifically estimated4 
187Algerian barb (Barbus callensis)119Not specifically estimated4 
188Clown knifefish (Chitala chitala)114Not specifically estimated4 
189Roaches nei (Rutilus spp)106Not specifically estimated4 
190Crimson snapper (Lutjanus erythropterus)101Not specifically estimated4 
191American yellow perch (Perca flavescens)100227-227EMW-7< 1
192Brycon cephalus (Brycon cephalus)87Not specifically estimated4 
193Dorado (Salminus brasiliensis)81Not specifically estimated4 
194Sorubims nei (Pseudoplatystoma spp)75Not specifically estimated4 
195Labeo dussumieri (Labeo dussumieri)71Not specifically estimated4 
196Pink dentex (Dentex gibbosus)61Not specifically estimated4 
197Yellowtail amberjack (Seriola lalandi)50Not specifically estimated4 
198Common dentex (Dentex dentex)44Not specifically estimated4 
199Cichla spp (Cichla spp)40Not specifically estimated4 
200Bagrid catfish (Chrysichthys nigrodigitatus)33Not specifically estimated4 
201Barcoo grunter (Scortum barcoo)28Not specifically estimated4 
202Mi-iuy (brown) croaker (Miichthys miiuy)27Not specifically estimated4 
203Rudd (Scardinius erythrophthalmus)26Not specifically estimated4 
204Pacific fat sleeper (Dormitator latifrons)25Not specifically estimated4 
205Goldlined seabream (Rhabdosargus sarba)23Not specifically estimated4 
206Prochilodus mariae (Prochilodus mariae)23Not specifically estimated4 
207Spotted coralgrouper (Plectropomus maculatus)23Not specifically estimated4 
208Orbicular batfish (Platax orbicularis)23Not specifically estimated4 
209Pufferfishes nei (Takifugu spp)21Not specifically estimated4 
210Soles nei (Soleidae)20Not specifically estimated4 
211Squaretail mullet (Liza vaigiensis)19Not specifically estimated4 
212Thai mahseer (Tor tambroides)18Not specifically estimated4 
213Jack and horse mackerels nei (Trachurus spp)18Not specifically estimated4 
214Russell's snapper (Lutjanus russelli)18Not specifically estimated4 
215White seabream (Diplodus sargus)15Not specifically estimated4 
216Sterlet sturgeon (Acipenser ruthenus)14Not specifically estimated4 
217Atipa (Hoplosternum littorale)14Not specifically estimated4 
218Giant trevally (Caranx ignobilis)13Not specifically estimated4 
219Huchen (Hucho hucho)11Not specifically estimated4 
220Common sole (Solea solea)11Not specifically estimated4 
221Tinfoil barb (Barbonymus schwanenfeldii)10Not specifically estimated4 
222Gouramis nei (Trichogaster spp)9Not specifically estimated4 
223Golden trevally (Gnathanodon speciosus)9Not specifically estimated4 
224Amazon sailfin catfish (Pterygoplichthys pardalis)9Not specifically estimated4 
225Streaked prochilod (Prochilodus lineatus)7Not specifically estimated4 
226Great blue spotted mudskipper (Boleophthalmus pectinirostris)7Not specifically estimated4 
227Redbelly tilapia (Tilapia zillii)7Not specifically estimated4 
228Sampa (Heterobranchus longifilis)7Not specifically estimated4 
229Bleak (Alburnus alburnus)6Not specifically estimated4 
230Giant grouper (Epinephelus lanceolatus)6Not specifically estimated4 
231Beluga (Huso huso)6Not specifically estimated4 
232Barred sorubim (Pseudoplatystoma fasciatum)5Not specifically estimated4 
233Bayad (Bagrus bajad)5Not specifically estimated4 
234Hatcheria macraei (Hatcheria macraei)5Not specifically estimated4 
235Mango tilapia (Sarotherodon galilaeus)5Not specifically estimated4 
236Pargo breams nei (Pagrus spp)5Not specifically estimated4 
237Sixfinger threadfin (Polydactylus sexfilis)5Not specifically estimated4 
238Lebranche mullet (Mugil liza)4Not specifically estimated4 
239Brown-marbled grouper (Epinephelus fuscoguttatus)4Not specifically estimated4 
240Knifefishes (Notopterus spp)4Not specifically estimated4 
241Flatfishes nei (Pleuronectiformes)3Not specifically estimated4 
242Seabasses nei (Dicentrarchus spp)3Not specifically estimated4 
243African catfish (Heterobranchus bidorsalis)3Not specifically estimated4 
244Leporinus obtusidens (Leporinus obtusidens)3Not specifically estimated4 
245Mississippi paddlefish (Polyodon spathula)2Not specifically estimated4 
246Areolate grouper (Epinephelus areolatus)2Not specifically estimated4 
247White-spotted spinefoot (Siganus canaliculatus)2Not specifically estimated4 
248Grayling (Thymallus thymallus)2Not specifically estimated4 
249Greater amberjack (Seriola dumerili)1Not specifically estimated4 
250Brycon orbignyanus (Brycon orbignyanus)1Not specifically estimated4 
251Emperor red snapper (Lutjanus sebae)1Not specifically estimated4 
252Chub (Leuciscus cephalus)1Not specifically estimated4 
253Sobaity seabream (Sparidentex hasta)1Not specifically estimated4 
254Malabar blood snapper (Lutjanus malabaricus)1Not specifically estimated4 
255Burbot (Lota lota)1Not specifically estimated4 
256Starry sturgeon (Acipenser stellatus)1Not specifically estimated4 
257Buffalofishes nei (Ictiobus spp)1Not specifically estimated4 
258Green humphead parrotfish (Bolbometopon muricatum)1Not specifically estimated4 
259Sargo breams nei (Diplodus spp)<1Not specifically estimated4 
260Common nase (Chondrostoma nasus)<1Not specifically estimated4 
261Banded jewelfish (Hemichromis fasciatus)<1Not specifically estimated4 
262Spotted seabass (Dicentrarchus punctatus)<1Not specifically estimated4 
263Orfe(=Ide) (Leuciscus idus)<1Not specifically estimated4 
264Danube bleak (Chalcalburnus chalcoides)<1Not specifically estimated4 
265Jaguar guapote (Cichlasoma managuense)<1Not specifically estimated4 
266Peled (Coregonus peled)<1Not specifically estimated4 
267Common pandora (Pagellus erythrinus)<1Not specifically estimated4 
268Humpback grouper (Cromileptes altivelis)<1Not specifically estimated4 
269Marbled spinefoot (Siganus rivulatus)<1Not specifically estimated4 
270Total for all fish species51,043,147See totals below
 
Totals by estimate typeProduction (t)Percent of
total
fish production
%
Generic
Estimated
mean
weight
(g)5
Estimated
numbers
(millions)
   Single species with an EMW 39,397,76177320-1,06536,985 - 123,157
   Multi species with an EMW 2,881,03762,629 - 8,189
Totals for species with an EMW 42,278,7978339,613 - 131,346
Totals species without an EMW4 8,764,35017320-1,0658,228 - 27,397
Total fish production 51,043,14710047,841 - 158,743
Total aquaculture production (includes shellfish) 108,129,956

Estimated by A Mood and P Brooke, Sep 2019


Notes
1. Source of production tonnage: FAO FishStat "Aquaculture Production (Quantities and values) 1950-2017 (Release date: 25th March 2019)".
2. Source of estimated mean weights (EMWs) : as described in our earlier estimate, see Estimating the Number of Farmed Fish Killed in Global Aquaculture Each Year.
3. The estimated numbers are calculated as the production tonnage divided by estimated mean weight (EMW) where a mean weight has been estimated for the species category.
4. The fish numbers for species without an estimated mean weight (EMW) have not been estimated for each individual species. Total numbers for such species combined are estimated from
the generic estimated mean weight (GEMW)5, as described for our earlier estimate (note 2).
5. The generic estimated mean weight (GEMW) is obtained as the total tonnage for single-species categories with an estimated mean weight (EMW) divided by the total estimated numbers for these species.   In other words, it is assumed that the mean weight of fishes for species without an EMW is equal to the overall mean weight of fishes for single-species categories with an EMW.
6. All species are identified on FishStat as being of the class Actinopterygii except for the following for which class is not specified: freshwater fishes nei, marine fishes nei and finfishes nei.