Predacious fish which feed on
mosquito larvae may be used for the control of mosquito larvae in ponds
and other permanent or semi-permanent waterbodies; a variety of
species have been suggested for this purpose.
- Use of larvivorous fish can be extremely
effective in areas where water quality permits their use. (P32.1.w8)
- Preference should be given to the use of locally native fish species, therefore the most
appropriate species to use will vary depending on the geographical region.
- Native larvivorous fish play an important role in the utility of open marsh water
management and rotational impoundment management for mosquito control. In the USA fish
species playing such a role include Fundulus spp. and possibly Rivulus spp.
(J84.7.w35)
- It is important to remember that predacious fish do not feed exclusively on mosquito
larvae; they also may eat various aquatic insects, tadpoles, fish eggs and fry and
zooplankton. (J84.7.w35)
- It may be possible, for the purpose of stocking an
ornamental pond with predaceous fish, to collect mosquito fish such as Gambusia
affinis and Gambusia holbrooki from local streams;
alternatively they may be purchased. (J84.7.w35,
D67,
D71, W175.Nov01.WNV2)
- Other predatory fish include the Argentinean pearl fish, Cynolabias belloti,
which may be particularly useful in ponds which dry periodically, as their eggs survive
this process and hatch when the pond floods once more. (D71)
- Introduction of fat-headed minnows to permanent water bodies has been used for mosquito
control in zoos. (P30.1.w1)
(J84.7.w35,
D67, D70, D71,
D72, D147,
P32.1.w8,
P32.1.w27,
W175.Nov01.WNV1,
W175.Nov01.WNV2)
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