ABOUT MOSQUITOFISH FEEDING Mosquitofish Are Opportunistic Feeders; Mosquitofish, Gambusia Afﬁnis, Are They Will Eat Just About Anything

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WHERE MOSQUITOFISH OUR MOSQUITOFISH FIGHT THE BITE ARE USED PROGRAM by practicing the District’s 3Ds Mosquitofish can be used in these and other Mosquitofish are readily available through of protection: mosquito-breeding sources. the District’s service request program. Mosquitofish are stocked by our state- 1. DRAIN any standing water that may ABOUT certified technicians to help ensure that the produce mosquitoes. fish are being placed in the appropriate MOSQUITOFISH habitats and conditions. If you would like 2. DEFEND yourself against mosquitoes to request mosquitofish for your pool or by using an effective insect repellent, pond, please contact the District at such as DEET, Picaridin or Oil of Lemon (916) 380-5444. Eucalyptus. Make sure you follow label directions!

3. Contact the DISTRICT for help. We are here to serve you. Call us at (888) 768-2343, or visit us online at Horse Troughs www.placermosquito.org.

Your tax dollars hard at work

Placer Mosquito and Vector Control District 2021 Opportunity Drive Roseville, CA 95678 COMPATIBLE FISH (916) 380-5444 main office Mosquitofish are compatible with koi (888) 768-2343 toll free and all varieties of pond goldfish, such (916) 380-5455 fax as common goldfish, comets, shubunkins, www.placermosquito.org omadas and fantails. Bass, bluegill and Ponds and Fountains catfish will eat mosquitofish. Mosquitofish can be kept in a tank with swordtails, platies, and common guppies.

The Placer Vector Control District is concerned about protecting and preserving the environment. We strive to cut down on waste and use eco-friendly materials wherever possible. We have printed this publication on recycled paper with post-consumer waste content using vegetable- Unmaintained Swimming Pools based inks. Protecting Public Health since 2001 ABOUT MOSQUITOFISH FEEDING Mosquitofish are opportunistic feeders; Mosquitofish, Gambusia afﬁnis, are they will eat just about anything. During indispensable to mosquito control warmer months, they usually do not programs throughout the world. This need supplemental feeding. In fact, relative of the common guppy feeds supplemental feeding can reduce their primarily on aquatic insects, and are appetite and effectiveness. effective predators of mosquito larvae in many diverse aquatic habitats throughout If there is no natural food, such as in a the world. A comparatively small species, new pond, you can feed them a small the full-grown females are typically under amount of fish flake food. 2½ inches. The muted silver and light TEMPERATURE olive green color is common in both Mosquitofish can tolerate water sexes. temperatures between 33ºF and 104ºF, but they prefer temperatures between 77ºF They have a voracious appetite; an and 86ºF. adult mosquitofish can eat up to 150 APPLICATIONS mosquito larvae in an 8-hour period. They are often found at the shallow, Mosquitofish are stocked by state-certified This makes them an excellent biological unshaded region of a pond. Although technicians. In general, mosquitofish are tool for mosquito control because the fish algae may build up and become unsightly, stocked in very small numbers because The Placer Mosquito and Vector Control consume the larvae before they have a limited amounts of algae will not harm they quickly reproduce to the maximum District strives to reduce mosquito and other the fish. population levels that a particular habitat vector populations, promote awareness chance to develop into adult mosquitoes. may sustain. If supplemental feed is of vectors and vector-borne diseases, and These hardy fish should survive throughout needed, especially in temporary situations decrease health risks to residents in Placer Once mosquitofish are introduced into a several seasons and reproduce to where very few natural food organisms County. mosquito-breeding source, they can live provide continuous biological control of exist, almost any live or dry feed (even up to two years. Mosquitofish are live- mosquitoes. crushed dog biscuits or chicken feed) may Since 2001, the District has worked bearing fresh water fish and a female can be sparingly applied. In small, confined diligently to: bear young three to six times per summer. mosquito sources, such as bird baths and • educate and inform the public about There are 10 to 300 live fry per brood, cattle water troughs, 10-15 adult fish will current and emerging mosquito and depending on the age and size of the provide rapid mosquito control and soon vector-borne diseases female. reproduce to increase their numbers. Larger • inspect, reduce and eliminate mosquito sources, like small ponds and ditches, are breeding sources in Placer County If mosquito larvae become depleted, What is a vector? usually stocked at a minimum rate of 0.1 mosquitofish will eat whatever is A vector is an insect or any other animal pounds of fish per surface acre in the spring. • employ Integrated Vector Management available, including other aquatic insects, capable of transmitting a disease or strategies and techniques to reduce causing harm to people or animals. vector populations and protect public algae, terrestrial insects that fall into the health from mosquitoes and mosquito- water, as well as fish food. borne diseases Other fish such as bass, bluegill and trout • use public funds efficiently and responsibly to achieve the District’s may prey on mosquitofish, reducing their mission effectiveness as mosquito predators.