Inland Fisheries

9.2.1.1.6 Exotic larvivorous fishes

There are several species of larvivorus fish in our country. These were applied in many places in the malaria control programme. Some of these fishes namely Aplocheilus sp., Oryzias sp. are surface feeder and very effective in controlling mosquito breedings. They can survive breeding. They can survive in saline waters also. Other local fishes are not as effective as these two do because they are column feeder. These species are Danio rerio, Chela sp., Rasbora sp. Esomus sp., Puntius sp. etc. In Karnataka, the main breeding habitat of A. culcifacies is village ponds which are flat at one side. Most of the breeding are found in these margins where local fish cannot reach due to their feeding behaviour. Guppy and Gambusia can reach such places and devour the mosquito larvae. This is why in places local fishes were found not effective. Guppy is very effective and sustainable in wells while Gambusia in ponds and streams.