All fish / Poeciliidae

Eastern Mosquitofish

Gambusia holbrooki

Also known as eastern mosquitofish, mosquitofish, mosquito fish, gambusia, plague minnow, eastern gambusia, ปลากินยุง, ikan gambusia, カダヤシ, 食蚊鱼, 霍氏食蚊鱼

A small, plain olive-grey livebearer with a large upturned mouth, and the males have a gonopodium and sometimes black speckling. It is extremely hardy and was spread around the world to control mosquito larvae, so it is mainly kept by people interested in native fish or biology rather than for its looks.

Care at a glance

Care level

Easy

Temperament

Aggressive

Adult size

4 cm

Temperature

12 to 30 °C

pH

6.5 to 8.5

Smallest tank

60 litres

Keep as

Group with more females than males, e.g. 1 male to 3 females

Diet

Omnivore: insect larvae, small live and frozen foods, flake and algae

Swims

Top of the tank

Lifespan

1 to 2 years

Water

Freshwater

Wild range

Eastern and southeastern USA (Atlantic and Gulf coastal drainages)

Breeding

Females give birth to live young every few weeks after internal fertilisation, and breeding is very easy in captivity. Adults eat their fry, so dense plants or a separate tank help more young survive.

Good to know

It nips fins and harasses other fish, so keep it in a species tank. It is a declared invasive pest in many places, including Australia, and keeping, moving or releasing it may be illegal, so check local rules.