GAMBUSIA
MINNOWS - (Mosquitofish)
Southern
Farmer's Mosquito Fish Fights West Nile Virus
Gambusia Minnow, or Mosquitofish, is the
most versatile fish for stocking in any pond or lake in the United States. It is an
extremely hardy and adaptable fish, known to survive in a wide variety of
temperatures and pHs. The Gambusia Minnow needs shallow water for protection and deep
water for overwintering. Females give birth to living young and will produce several
broods per summer. The gestation period is 21 to 28 days.
The Gambusia Minnow is the most widely used
fish in the world for mosquito control. They have been known to consume 230 larvae or pupa
in one hour. They also feed on a wide variety of prey ranging from aquatic insects and
crustacea to zooplankton and algae. Gambusia Minnows are often stocked by prawn farmers to
control predacious dragonfly nymphs in their ponds.
Mosquitoes are always a problem around lakes
and ponds. They are carriers of malaria and yellow fever which attacks humans and swamp
fever which attacks animals. However, mosquito larvae is the favorite food for
Mosquitofish. Gambusia
Minnows are an important link in the food chain. They eat the mosquito larvae, algae,
planktonic animals, and aquatic insects. The minnows then become valuable free fish
food for the larger fish. Gambusia
Minnows are also excellent food for cultured bullfrogs as they are
topwater minnows and very prolific. They
make excellent bait fish for large bream, crappie, catfish and even
bass. It is very convenient to have your own bait at your disposal.
The minnows are easy to catch with a dip net, minnow trap, or small
seine. Stocking
rates vary according to the purpose for which the minnows are stocked.
For mosquito control only, stock 300/500 fish per acre. If pond
has fish or predators, this will not be sufficient. If stocking as a
food source, bait and mosquito control, up to 25,000 fish per acre may
be stocked. Minimum
order 1000
1000 ................. 10¢ each
1001 - 2999 ..... 08¢ each
3000 - 4999...... 06¢ each
5000 and up.... 05¢ each
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