mosquitofish
mosquitofish (Gambusia affinis)The mosquitofish (Gambusia affinis), a type of topminnow native to the fresh waters of the southeastern United States, bears its young alive.
mosquitofish, (Gambusia affinis), live-bearing topminnow of the family Poeciliidae (see live-bearer), native to fresh waters of the southeastern United States but widely introduced in other parts of the world for mosquito control. The hardy mosquito fish, which has a prodigious appetite for mosquito larvae, is usually light grayish but may be spotted or blotched with black. The female reaches a length of about 6.4 cm (2.5 inches), the male about 4 cm (1.5 inches).
This article was most recently revised and updated by John P. Rafferty.
Citation Information
Article Title:
mosquitofish
Website Name:
Encyclopaedia Britannica
Publisher:
Encyclopaedia Britannica, Inc.
Date Published:
24 January 2020
Access Date:
November 13, 2026