Species Profile: Eastern Mosquitofish

Growing up and spending my whole life in Florida I heard a lot about this particular fish but never knew much about it. Ever since I found my passion for fisheries, I found myself wanting to find out more about the fish species that live in the swamp waters of Corkscrew. 

Eastern Mosquitofish (Gambusia holbrooki)

Eastern Mosquitofish (Gambusia holbrooki) is a freshwater fish species native to the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico that is common throughout Florida. Their scales are outlined, giving them a cross-hatched appearance and they have an upturned mouth, indicating they are surface feeders. They have a rounded tail fin and can reach lengths of 5-8 cm, with females being larger than males. Eastern Mosquitofish can tolerate variations in water temperature, salinity, and dissolved oxygen, making them one of many unique species suited for the swamp life. Mosquitofish have an interesting history. They were thought to be good mosquito control agents, hence their common name, and were introduced all over the world. In recent years, world literature has not supported the view that they are effective in decreasing mosquito populations but they do in fact feed on mosquito larvae and pupae. Another interesting fact: for such a small fish, Eastern Mosquitofish can do some damage. They are often aggressive toward other fish, often shredding the fins of large fish or eating the eggs and young of cohabiting species. 

Mosquitofish in their natural habitat

Although this species doesn't seem like much, it can be very interesting and I'm happy to work in a place that allows me to see many of them. 

-Kendall, Conservation Intern