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Mosquito larcae in Jun's "pond"
Hi..
Phyllis and Jim wrote: What is Gambusia affinis? Gambusia affinis, appropriately named the "mosquito fish," is a small, guppy-like fish ranging in size from approximately ? to 1 ? inches long. As its name implies, it is a natural predator of mosquito larvae. Larvae Consumption Gambusia affinis is a voracious predator. According to statistics cited in U.S. Navy research, a large female Gambusia is able to consume 225 larvae within a one hour period, and a pair of half-grown Gambusia are capable of consuming over 5000 larvae in 11 weeks. All sizes of Gambusia feed on mosquito larvae; even fry only a few hours old will attack young instars. Reproduction Capabilities Gambusia bear live young, producing an average of three to four broods per summer at intervals of three to six weeks. The number of fry per brood averages between 25 and 125. Reproduction usually occurs during the warmer spring and summer months. Cold-Tolerant Gambusia More than 30 years of natural selection by Fattig Fish has resulted in a genetically adapted cold-tolerant stock of Gambusia affinis able to survive temperatures below -30° and to 100° Fahrenheit. This special cold-tolerant strain is particularly well-suited to climates above the 39th parallel, where winter temperatures often prevent overwintering of Southern Gambusia. Additionally, the cold-tolerant strain has been observed to feed at 50° water temperatures, a distinct advantage over other strains, which generally begin to feed at considerably higher temperatures. BTW: The two different subspecies of G. affinis I ment are G. affinis affinis and G. affinis holbrooki.. Wish I had access to some mosquitofish of that cold-tolerant strain..! :-) -- cu Marco, a native summer ponder.. |
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