mosquito fish
noun
: either of two small, surface-feeding, freshwater fishes (Gambusia affinis and G. holbrooki of the family Poeciliidae) native to Central and North America that are live-bearers and are widely introduced outside their native range to control mosquitoes by feeding on their larvae
York County has been populating water sources and backyard ponds with mosquito fish, a small guppy-like swimmer that devours mosquito larvae, for more than 25 years.—
Amanda Williams
Amanda WilliamsExamples of mosquito fish in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Use mosquito dunks or mosquito fish in ponds to eat the mosquito larvae.
—Nicole Villalpando, Austin American-Statesman, 7 June 2024
Add mosquito fish to ponds.
—Nan Sterman, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Aug. 2021
When the mosquito fish went to eat the native species, the robo-bass would intervene, scaring them off.
—Doug Johnson, Ars Technica, 17 Dec. 2021
The Mosquito and Vector Control District provides free home inspections and has mosquito fish available for pick-up and delivery.
—Hannah Holzer, sacbee, 25 June 2018
In its battle with mosquitoes, the county is relying more and more on the eastern mosquito fish, a species of freshwater fish with a taste for mosquito larvae, Deutsch said.
—Stephen Hudak, OrlandoSentinel.com, 24 May 2018
Cypress Spring, a fenced-in area with a small body of water that will be home to tadpoles, dragonfly larvae, mosquito fish and macroinvertebrates.
—Deborah Martin, San Antonio Express-News, 26 Feb. 2018
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Nicole Villalpando, Austin American-Statesman, 7 June 2024
Add mosquito fish to ponds.
—Nan Sterman, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Aug. 2021
When the mosquito fish went to eat the native species, the robo-bass would intervene, scaring them off.
—Doug Johnson, Ars Technica, 17 Dec. 2021
The Mosquito and Vector Control District provides free home inspections and has mosquito fish available for pick-up and delivery.
—Hannah Holzer, sacbee, 25 June 2018
In its battle with mosquitoes, the county is relying more and more on the eastern mosquito fish, a species of freshwater fish with a taste for mosquito larvae, Deutsch said.
—Stephen Hudak, OrlandoSentinel.com, 24 May 2018
Cypress Spring, a fenced-in area with a small body of water that will be home to tadpoles, dragonfly larvae, mosquito fish and macroinvertebrates.
—Deborah Martin, San Antonio Express-News, 26 Feb. 2018
Cite this Entry
“Mosquito fish.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mosquito%20fish. Accessed 1 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share