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Estimated numbers of individuals in global aquaculture production (FAO) of fish species (2017)

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This page shows aquaculture production tonnages (FAO) for fish species in 2017, together with estimated mean weights (EMWs) and estimated fish numbers.
Farmed fish numbers killed for food in 2017 are estimated to total 51,107-167,476 million, or 51-167 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)5,519,487500-2,500EMW-872,208 - 11,039
2Silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix)4,704,673300-1,500EMW-1823,136 - 15,682
3Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus)4,130,281250-800EMW-1295,163 - 16,521
4Common carp (Cyprinus carpio)4,129,100500-2,500EMW-571,652 - 8,258
5Bighead carp (Hypophthalmichthys nobilis)3,147,814500-1,500EMW-292,099 - 6,296
6Carassius spp (Carassius spp)2,818,875150-400EMW-5357,047 - 18,793
7Catla (Catla catla)2,708,093300-2,000EMW-431,354 - 9,027
8Freshwater fishes nei (Osteichthyes)2,456,181Not specifically estimated4 
9Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar)2,358,6633,614-8,434EMW-21280 - 653
10Roho labeo (Labeo rohita)1,962,943300-1,500EMW-1671,309 - 6,543
11Pangas catfishes nei (Pangasius spp)1,825,063500-1,500EMW-1421,217 - 3,650
12Milkfish (Chanos chanos)1,728,561250-500EMW-1223,457 - 6,914
13Tilapias nei (Oreochromis(=Tilapia) spp)1,272,468250-800EMW-2151,591 - 5,090
14Marine fishes nei (Osteichthyes)985,606Not specifically estimated4 
15Striped catfish (Pangasius hypophthalmus)966,617500-1,500EMW-206644 - 1,933
16Torpedo-shaped catfishes nei (Clarias spp)957,563Not specifically estimated4 
17Wuchang bream (Megalobrama amblycephala)833,393450-500EMW-2291,667 - 1,852
18Rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)811,590210-5,000EMW-155162 - 3,865
19Black carp (Mylopharyngodon piceus)684,7382,000-3,000EMW-30228 - 342
20Cyprinids nei (Cyprinidae)681,153Not specifically estimated4 
21Mrigal carp (Cirrhinus mrigala)505,719300-1,100EMW-124460 - 1,686
22Snakehead (Channa argus)483,415Not specifically estimated4 
23Yellow catfish (Pelteobagrus fulvidraco)480,03250-200EMW-2302,400 - 9,601
24Largemouth black bass (Micropterus salmoides)458,503680-680EMW-110674
25Blue-Nile tilapia, hybrid (Oreochromis aureus x O. niloticus)396,259Not specifically estimated4 
26Pond loach (Misgurnus anguillicaudatus)395,463Not specifically estimated4 
27Amur catfish (Silurus asotus)387,919Not specifically estimated4 
28Channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus)379,752340-680EMW-45558 - 1,117
29Asian swamp eel (Monopterus albus)358,336Not specifically estimated4 
30Mandarin fish (Siniperca chuatsi)335,583500-500EMW-115671
31Japanese eel (Anguilla japonica)252,868100-250EMW-1001,011 - 2,529
32Pirapatinga (Piaractus brachypomus)234,425500-1,000EMW-147234 - 469
33North African catfish (Clarias gariepinus)230,747500-1,500EMW-132154 - 461
34Mullets nei (Mugilidae)229,386Not specifically estimated4 
35Gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata)218,099300-400EMW-81545 - 727
36European seabass (Dicentrarchus labrax)215,636400-500EMW-72431 - 539
37Groupers nei (Epinephelus spp)182,535Not specifically estimated4 
38Coho(=Silver) salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch)179,834Not specifically estimated4 
39Large yellow croaker (Larimichthys croceus)177,640Not specifically estimated4 
40Japanese seabass (Lateolabrax japonicus)166,340500-500EMW-102333
41Giant gourami (Osphronemus goramy)147,6372,000-3,000EMW-8049 - 74
42Silver barb (Barbonymus gonionotus)140,307100-200EMW-181702 - 1,403
43Japanese amberjack (Seriola quinqueradiata)139,2003,500-6,000EMW-9923 - 40
44Snubnose pompano (Trachinotus blochii)120,918Not specifically estimated4 
45Freshwater siluroids nei (Siluroidei)112,237Not specifically estimated4 
46Cachama (Colossoma macropomum)109,783500-2,000EMW-4055 - 220
47Africa-bighead catfish, hybrid (Clarias gariepinus x C. macrocephalus)102,849Not specifically estimated4 
48Sturgeons nei (Acipenseridae)98,030Not specifically estimated4 
49Barramundi(=Giant seaperch) (Lates calcarifer)81,915300-2,000EMW-2541 - 273
50Porgies, seabreams nei (Sparidae)81,872Not specifically estimated4 
51Red drum (Sciaenops ocellatus)71,1291,000-1,000EMW-15671
52Silver seabream (Pagrus auratus)62,700400-400EMW-184157
53Mozambique tilapia (Oreochromis mossambicus)61,551500-800EMW-12377 - 123
54Lefteye flounders nei (Bothidae)60,737Not specifically estimated4 
55Turbot (Psetta maxima)57,072700-2,000EMW-21929 - 82
56Cobia (Rachycentron canadum)49,5736,000-8,000EMW-556 - 8
57Striped snakehead (Channa striata)48,058300-1,100EMW-20744 - 160
58Climbing perch (Anabas testudineus)44,274Not specifically estimated4 
59Bastard halibut (Paralichthys olivaceus)43,507800-1,500EMW-2629 - 54
60Orangefin labeo (Labeo calbasu)37,147Not specifically estimated4 
61Indonesian snakehead (Channa micropeltes)36,766500-700EMW-9553 - 74
62Tambacu, hybrid (P.mesopotamicus x C.macropomum)35,800Not specifically estimated4 
63Meagre (Argyrosomus regius)31,935Not specifically estimated4 
64Nilem carp (Osteochilus hasselti)28,500Not specifically estimated4 
65Tiger pufferfish (Takifugu rubripes)28,218Not specifically estimated4 
66Trouts nei (Salmo spp)27,831Not specifically estimated4 
67Amberjacks nei (Seriola spp)26,924Not specifically estimated4 
68Snakeskin gourami (Trichogaster pectoralis)24,29080-120EMW-189202 - 304
69Korean rockfish (Sebastes schlegeli)22,344Not specifically estimated4 
70Pacific bluefin tuna (Thunnus orientalis)21,622Not specifically estimated4 
71Chinese longsnout catfish (Leiocassis longirostris)21,331Not specifically estimated4 
72Clearhead icefish (Protosalanx hyalocranius)20,699Not specifically estimated4 
73Pangas catfish (Pangasius pangasius)20,124Not specifically estimated4 
74Salmonids nei (Salmonidae)19,992Not specifically estimated4 
75Pacu (Piaractus mesopotamicus)17,252Not specifically estimated4 
76Nile perch (Lates niloticus)16,470Not specifically estimated4 
77Righteye flounders nei (Pleuronectidae)16,219Not specifically estimated4 
78Chinook(=Spring=King) salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha)14,890Not specifically estimated4 
79Pond smelt (Hypomesus olidus)12,067Not specifically estimated4 
80Snakeheads(=Murrels) nei (Channa spp)10,650Not specifically estimated4 
81Tambatinga, hybrid (C. macropomum x P. brachypomus)10,295Not specifically estimated4 
82Fourfinger threadfin (Eleutheronema tetradactylum)10,261Not specifically estimated4 
83Hoven's carp (Leptobarbus hoeveni)8,972Not specifically estimated4 
84Mangrove red snapper (Lutjanus argentimaculatus)8,890Not specifically estimated4 
85Stinging catfish (Heteropneustes fossilis)8,712Not specifically estimated4 
86Philippine catfish (Clarias batrachus)8,206Not specifically estimated4 
87Southern bluefin tuna (Thunnus maccoyii)8,100Not specifically estimated4 
88Ayu sweetfish (Plecoglossus altivelis)7,801Not specifically estimated4 
89Reticulate knifefish (Papyrocranus afer)7,432Not specifically estimated4 
90Atlantic bluefin tuna (Thunnus thynnus)7,393Not specifically estimated4 
91Asian redtail catfish (Hemibagrus nemurus)7,328Not specifically estimated4 
92John's snapper (Lutjanus johnii)6,871Not specifically estimated4 
93Japanese seabream (Pagrus major)6,806Not specifically estimated4 
94Flathead grey mullet (Mugil cephalus)6,765500-1,500EMW-765 - 14
95Aba (Gymnarchus niloticus)6,632Not specifically estimated4 
96Arctic char (Salvelinus alpinus)6,577Not specifically estimated4 
97Obscure pufferfish (Takifugu obscurus)6,283Not specifically estimated4 
98African bonytongue (Heterotis niloticus)6,274Not specifically estimated4 
99European eel (Anguilla anguilla)6,215Not specifically estimated4 
100Kissing gourami (Helostoma temminckii)6,100Not specifically estimated4 
101Asian barbs nei (Puntius spp)6,068Not specifically estimated4 
102Small scale mud carp (Cirrhinus microlepis)6,000Not specifically estimated4 
103Redbreast tilapia (Tilapia rendalli)5,593Not specifically estimated4 
104Olive barb (Systomus sarana)5,355Not specifically estimated4 
105Tilapia shiranus (Oreochromis shiranus)5,311Not specifically estimated4 
106Striped bass, hybrid (Morone chrysops x M. saxatilis)5,241816-816EMW-2056
107Brycon spp (Brycon spp)4,880Not specifically estimated4 
108Citharinus nei (Citharinus spp)4,872Not specifically estimated4 
109Upsidedown catfishes (Synodontis spp)4,850Not specifically estimated4 
110Isok barb (Probarbus jullieni)4,800Not specifically estimated4 
111Characins nei (Characidae)4,795Not specifically estimated4 
112Leporinus spp (Leporinus spp)4,504Not specifically estimated4 
113Finfishes nei (Osteichthyes)4,500Not specifically estimated4 
114Whitefishes nei (Coregonus spp)4,499Not specifically estimated4 
115Arapaima (Arapaima gigas)4,418Not specifically estimated4 
116White trevally (Pseudocaranx dentex)4,400Not specifically estimated4 
117Grass-eaters nei (Distichodus spp)4,359Not specifically estimated4 
118Brycon amazonicus (Brycon amazonicus)4,350Not specifically estimated4 
119Three spotted tilapia (Oreochromis andersonii)4,140Not specifically estimated4 
120Mud carp (Cirrhinus molitorella)4,025Not specifically estimated4 
121Manipur osteobrama (Osteobrama belangeri)4,000Not specifically estimated4 
122Sea trout (Salmo trutta)3,969Not specifically estimated4 
123Kafue pike (Hepsetus odoe)3,889Not specifically estimated4 
124Salmonoids nei (Salmonoidei)3,850Not specifically estimated4 
125Crucian carp (Carassius carassius)3,375150-400EMW-628 - 22
126Prochilods nei (Prochilodus spp)3,358Not specifically estimated4 
127Jacks, crevalles nei (Caranx spp)3,306Not specifically estimated4 
128Blue tilapia (Oreochromis aureus)3,144500-800EMW-344 - 6
129Netted prochilod (Prochilodus reticulatus)2,850Not specifically estimated4 
130Parachanna snakeheads nei (Parachanna spp)2,612Not specifically estimated4 
131Chars nei (Salvelinus spp)2,001Not specifically estimated4 
132Roach (Rutilus rutilus)1,992Not specifically estimated4 
133Wels(=Som) catfish (Silurus glanis)1,854Not specifically estimated4 
134Blackhead seabream (Acanthopagrus schlegeli)1,844Not specifically estimated4 
135Senegalese sole (Solea senegalensis)1,818Not specifically estimated4 
136Atlantic halibut (Hippoglossus hippoglossus)1,6233,000-5,000EMW-20< 1 - 1
137Brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis)1,552Not specifically estimated4 
138Catfishes nei (Ictalurus spp)1,527Not specifically estimated4 
139Pike-perch (Sander lucioperca)1,419Not specifically estimated4 
140Tench (Tinca tinca)1,402Not specifically estimated4 
141Red porgy (Pagrus pagrus)1,312Not specifically estimated4 
142Northern pike (Esox lucius)1,130Not specifically estimated4 
143Wallago (Wallago attu)1,039Not specifically estimated4 
144Longfin tilapia (Oreochromis macrochir)1,000Not specifically estimated4 
145Black prochilodus (Prochilodus nigricans)970Not specifically estimated4 
146Marble goby (Oxyeleotris marmorata)960Not specifically estimated4 
147Spotted snakehead (Channa punctata)909Not specifically estimated4 
148European whitefish (Coregonus lavaretus)811Not specifically estimated4 
149Florida pompano (Trachinotus carolinus)803Not specifically estimated4 
150Hoplias spp (Hoplias spp)800Not specifically estimated4 
151Japanese jack mackerel (Trachurus japonicus)800Not specifically estimated4 
152Oplegnathus fasciatus (Oplegnathus fasciatus)714Not specifically estimated4 
153European perch (Perca fluviatilis)701Not specifically estimated4 
154Spotted rose snapper (Lutjanus guttatus)700Not specifically estimated4 
155Freshwater bream (Abramis brama)663Not specifically estimated4 
156Bronze featherback (Notopterus notopterus)620Not specifically estimated4 
157Great snakehead (Channa marulius)619Not specifically estimated4 
158Goldfish (Carassius auratus)605Not specifically estimated4 
159Siberian sturgeon (Acipenser baerii)590Not specifically estimated4 
160Spotted sorubim (Pseudoplatystoma corruscans)570Not specifically estimated4 
161Orange-spotted grouper (Epinephelus coioides)563Not specifically estimated4 
162Snappers nei (Lutjanus spp)559Not specifically estimated4 
163Banded astyanax (Astyanax fasciatus)550Not specifically estimated4 
164Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua)5212,000-5,000EMW-19< 1
165Filefishes, leatherjackets nei (Monacanthidae)491Not specifically estimated4 
166Convict grouper (Epinephelus septemfasciatus)443Not specifically estimated4 
167Shi drum (Umbrina cirrosa)433Not specifically estimated4 
168Longfin yellowtail (Seriola rivoliana)400Not specifically estimated4 
169River eels nei (Anguilla spp)301Not specifically estimated4 
170Black bullhead (Ameiurus melas)300Not specifically estimated4 
171Oreochromis tanganicae (Oreochromis tanganicae)300Not specifically estimated4 
172Sabaki tilapia (Oreochromis spilurus)280Not specifically estimated4 
173Groupers, seabasses nei (Serranidae)249Not specifically estimated4 
174Spinefeet(=Rabbitfishes) nei (Siganus spp)235Not specifically estimated4 
175Algerian barb (Barbus callensis)232Not specifically estimated4 
176Dotted gizzard shad (Konosirus punctatus)225Not specifically estimated4 
177Silver perch (Bidyanus bidyanus)223Not specifically estimated4 
178Pacific chub mackerel (Scomber japonicus)203Not specifically estimated4 
179Kelee shad (Hilsa kelee)200Not specifically estimated4 
180Masu(=Cherry) salmon (Oncorhynchus masou)199Not specifically estimated4 
181Danube sturgeon(=Osetr) (Acipenser gueldenstaedtii)199Not specifically estimated4 
182Scorpionfishes, redfishes nei (Scorpaenidae)198Not specifically estimated4 
183Blackchin tilapia (Sarotherodon melanotheron)176Not specifically estimated4 
184Sharpsnout seabream (Diplodus puntazzo)157Not specifically estimated4 
185Clown knifefish (Chitala chitala)146Not specifically estimated4 
186Malabar grouper (Epinephelus malabaricus)145Not specifically estimated4 
187Blackspot(=red) seabream (Pagellus bogaraveo)142Not specifically estimated4 
188Snappers, jobfishes nei (Lutjanidae)134Not specifically estimated4 
189Roaches nei (Rutilus spp)133Not specifically estimated4 
190Barbel (Barbus barbus)130Not specifically estimated4 
191Bluespotted seabream (Pagrus caeruleostictus)122Not specifically estimated4 
192Pink dentex (Dentex gibbosus)107Not specifically estimated4 
193Mi-iuy (brown) croaker (Miichthys miiuy)102Not specifically estimated4 
194American yellow perch (Perca flavescens)100227-227EMW-7< 1
195Sorubims nei (Pseudoplatystoma spp)92Not specifically estimated4 
196Hypsibarbus spp (Hypsibarbus spp)89Not specifically estimated4 
197Brycon cephalus (Brycon cephalus)84Not specifically estimated4 
198Greater amberjack (Seriola dumerili)81Not specifically estimated4 
199Hatcheria macraei (Hatcheria macraei)80Not specifically estimated4 
200Cichla spp (Cichla spp)75Not specifically estimated4 
201Crimson snapper (Lutjanus erythropterus)72Not specifically estimated4 
202Dorado (Salminus brasiliensis)71Not specifically estimated4 
203Redbanded seabream (Pagrus auriga)66Not specifically estimated4 
204Common dentex (Dentex dentex)51Not specifically estimated4 
205Bagrid catfish (Chrysichthys nigrodigitatus)50Not specifically estimated4 
206Pacific fat sleeper (Dormitator latifrons)50Not specifically estimated4 
207Yellowtail amberjack (Seriola lalandi)50Not specifically estimated4 
208Spotted coralgrouper (Plectropomus maculatus)32Not specifically estimated4 
209Golden trevally (Gnathanodon speciosus)30Not specifically estimated4 
210Labeo dussumieri (Labeo dussumieri)29Not specifically estimated4 
211Tinfoil barb (Barbonymus schwanenfeldii)29Not specifically estimated4 
212Adriatic sturgeon (Acipenser naccarii)28Not specifically estimated4 
213Orbicular batfish (Platax orbicularis)25Not specifically estimated4 
214Atipa (Hoplosternum littorale)21Not specifically estimated4 
215Pufferfishes nei (Takifugu spp)21Not specifically estimated4 
216Rudd (Scardinius erythrophthalmus)20Not specifically estimated4 
217Prochilodus mariae (Prochilodus mariae)20Not specifically estimated4 
218Soles nei (Soleidae)20Not specifically estimated4 
219Sterlet sturgeon (Acipenser ruthenus)15Not specifically estimated4 
220Huchen (Hucho hucho)14Not specifically estimated4 
221Brown-marbled grouper (Epinephelus fuscoguttatus)14Not specifically estimated4 
222Barcoo grunter (Scortum barcoo)11Not specifically estimated4 
223Beluga (Huso huso)11Not specifically estimated4 
224Sobaity seabream (Sparidentex hasta)11Not specifically estimated4 
225Leporinus obtusidens (Leporinus obtusidens)10Not specifically estimated4 
226Streaked prochilod (Prochilodus lineatus)10Not specifically estimated4 
227Brycon orbignyanus (Brycon orbignyanus)10Not specifically estimated4 
228Goldlined seabream (Rhabdosargus sarba)10Not specifically estimated4 
229Gouramis nei (Trichogaster spp)9Not specifically estimated4 
230Thai mahseer (Tor tambroides)9Not specifically estimated4 
231Emperor red snapper (Lutjanus sebae)9Not specifically estimated4 
232Sixfinger threadfin (Polydactylus sexfilis)8Not specifically estimated4 
233Giant grouper (Epinephelus lanceolatus)7Not specifically estimated4 
234Sampa (Heterobranchus longifilis)7Not specifically estimated4 
235Flatfishes nei (Pleuronectiformes)7Not specifically estimated4 
236White seabream (Diplodus sargus)6Not specifically estimated4 
237Speckled longfin eel (Anguilla reinhardtii)6Not specifically estimated4 
238Bleak (Alburnus alburnus)6Not specifically estimated4 
239Common sole (Solea solea)6Not specifically estimated4 
240Barred sorubim (Pseudoplatystoma fasciatum)5Not specifically estimated4 
241Knifefishes (Notopterus spp)5Not specifically estimated4 
242Mango tilapia (Sarotherodon galilaeus)5Not specifically estimated4 
243Sevan trout (Salmo ischchan)5Not specifically estimated4 
244African catfish (Heterobranchus bidorsalis)3Not specifically estimated4 
245Burbot (Lota lota)3Not specifically estimated4 
246Striped bass (Morone saxatilis)3Not specifically estimated4 
247Redbelly tilapia (Tilapia zillii)2Not specifically estimated4 
248Russell's snapper (Lutjanus russelli)2Not specifically estimated4 
249Grayling (Thymallus thymallus)2Not specifically estimated4 
250Jaguar guapote (Cichlasoma managuense)1Not specifically estimated4 
251White-spotted spinefoot (Siganus canaliculatus)1Not specifically estimated4 
252Giant trevally (Caranx ignobilis)1Not specifically estimated4 
253Starry sturgeon (Acipenser stellatus)1Not specifically estimated4 
254Areolate grouper (Epinephelus areolatus)1Not specifically estimated4 
255Potato grouper (Epinephelus tukula)<1Not specifically estimated4 
256Spotted seabass (Dicentrarchus punctatus)<1Not specifically estimated4 
257Banded jewelfish (Hemichromis fasciatus)<1Not specifically estimated4 
258Green humphead parrotfish (Bolbometopon muricatum)<1Not specifically estimated4 
259Humpback grouper (Cromileptes altivelis)<1Not specifically estimated4 
260Chub (Leuciscus cephalus)<1Not specifically estimated4 
261Common nase (Chondrostoma nasus)<1Not specifically estimated4 
262Peacock cichlid (Cichla ocellaris)<1Not specifically estimated4 
263Total for all fish species53,402,661See 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 41,076,78977317-1,04239,440 - 129,616
   Multi species with an EMW 3,097,53162,807 - 8,740
Totals for species with an EMW 44,174,3208342,247 - 138,356
Totals species without an EMW4 9,228,34117317-1,0428,861 - 29,120
Total fish production 53,402,66110051,107 - 167,476
Total aquaculture production (includes shellfish) 111,946,623

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.