Gambusia Fish

Andhra Pradesh government has released approximately 10 million Gambusia fish into the state’s water bodies to combat mosquito-borne diseases like malaria and dengue

Key Points

While this method has been implemented with good intentions. concerns have been raised regarding its potential impact on native species and the overall ecosystem.
The fish is used as a biological agent to control mosquito larvae and has been part of mosquito-control strategies in India since 1928.
Gambusia fish are known for their high breeding capacity and adaptability, allowing them to survive in diverse environments.
It has been selected due to its ability to consume mosquito larvae, effectively controlling their population.

Gambusia fish, commonly known as mosquitofish is a fish native to the southeastern United States
The fish belongs to family Poecilidae and genus Gambusia is used as a biological agent for controlling mosquito larvae across the world.
They are often referred to as plague minnows due to their explosive spreading, higher reproduction rate and their negative impact on local ecosystems.
G affinis has a sister species, Gambusia holbrooki (G holbrooki), also known as the eastern mosquito fish.
This fish species shows a high breeding capacity for instance 900 and 1200 offspring could be produced during the lifespan of a single female Gambusia.
The IUCN lists the Gambusia affinis among 100 of the world’s worst invasive alien species

An Invasive Species

They compete with other fish for resources and evidence Suggests that they predate on other fishes’ fries and frog larvae.
After the introduction, the Gambusia fish hijacks the food web and breaks the existing cycle, causing an imbalance in the ecosystem.
The fish also negatively affect the aquaculture industry as they prey on the eggs of and compete for resources with economically-important fish