Gambusia affinis (western mosquitofish)

Pictures

Top of page

Picture

Title

Caption

Copyright

Artwork of adult fish

Gambusia affinis (mosquito fish); artwork of adult fish.

©Duane Raver/US Fish and Wildlife Service/Bugwood.org - CC BY-NC 3.0 US

Identity

Top of page

Preferred Scientific Name

Gambusia affinis Biard and Girard, 1853

Preferred Common Name

western mosquitofish

Other Scientific Names

Gambusia affinis affinis Biard and Girard, 1853
Gambusia affinis katruelis Biard and Girard, 1853
Gambusia gracilis Girard, 1859
Gambusia humilis Gunher, 1866
Gambusia patruelis Biard and Girard, 1853
Haplochilus melanops Cope, 1870
Heterandria affini Biard and Girard, 1853
Heterandria patruelis Biard and Girard, 1853
Zygonectes brachypterus Cope, 1880
Zygonectes gracilis Girard, 1859
Zygonectes inurus Jordan and Gilbert, 1882
Zygonectes patruelis Biard and Girard, 1853

International Common Names

English: mosquito fish; mosquitofish

Local Common Names

Albania: burkaleci
Canada: gambusie
China/Hong Kong: live-bearing tooth-carp; sang hang ue; tes; topminnow
France: alevin; gambouse; gambuse; gambusie
Germany: Koboldkarpfling; Silberkarpfling; Texaskarpfling
Greece: kounoupopsaro
Japan: kadayashi
Philippines: isdang canal
Poland: gambuzia pospolita
Portugal: gambuzia
Russian Federation: obyknovennaya gambuziya
Spain: gambusino
Sweden: vastlig moskitfisk
Ukraine: gambuzija

Summary of Invasiveness

Top of page

G. affinis has been introduced throughout the world as a mosquito-control agent. It has become a pest in many waterways following initial introductions in the early 1900s. G. affinis is a highly predatory fish, that as well as controlling mosquitoes also eats the eggs of economically important fish, and preys on rare indigenous fish and invertebrate species (ISSG, 2010).

Taxonomic Tree

Top of page

Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Metazoa
Phylum: Chordata
Subphylum: Vertebrata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Cyprinodontiformes
Family: Poeciliidae
Genus: Gambusia
Species: Gambusia affinis

Notes on Taxonomy and Nomenclature

Top of page

This datasheet focuses upon Gambusia affinis, although much of the biology is confused between the previous subspecies and now congeners, G. holbrooki and G. affinis. Both species were regarded as Gambusia affinis prior to 1988 and even after this date, workers often referred Gambusia affinis as a generic name for both species.

The genus Gambusia comprises about 30 species divided into four sub-genera: Orthophallus, Arthrophallus, Heterophallina,and Gambusia. Other gambusine species rarely coexist with G. affinis, but when they do they are usually ecologically segregated.

Wotten et al. (1988) formally recognised two species - G. holbrooki and G. affinis - which were previously regarded as sub-species of G. affinis (G. a. holbrooki and G. a. affinis). These species are different in a number of meristic characteristics but are definitively differentiated by the morphological differences of the gonopodium (male anal fin) (see Lloyd, 1990c).

Description

Top of page

G. affinis is a small, stout, robust, dull grey to brown with a terminal and upward pointing mouth adapted for feeding at the surface of the water. It has a small, rounded dorsal fin that originates behind the anal fin. Dorsal fin rays are 7-9 in number, and anal rays are 9-10 (FishBase, 2004). Origin of seventh dorsal fin is opposite anal ray. There are 8 horizontal scale rows between back and abdomen. The first few rays of the anal fin are greatly elongated in adult males. Mature females are larger than males. The maximum total length reported for male and female is 4.0 cm (Billard, 1997) and 7.0 cm respectively (FishBase, 2004).

Distribution

Top of page

Native range of G. affinis is recorded as Atlantic and Gulf Slope drainage from southern New Jersey, USA to Mexico; Mississippi River basin from central Indiana and Illinois, USA south to Gulf (USGS, 2003). Because of its reputation as a mosquito-control agent, G. affinis has been stocked routinely and indiscriminately in temperate and tropical areas around the world resulting in a wide distribution. Due to their hardiness, this species may now be the most widespread freshwater fish in the world (USGS, 2003).

For non-indigenous occurrences of G. affinis within the USA please see the USGS fact sheet on this species (Nico et al., 2007).

Because G. affinis and G. holbrooki were treated as subspecies of G. affinis prior to 1988, it is not always possible to discern which species is referred to in the earlier literature and the Distribution and Intrroductions Tables may include records of G. holbrooki. It was confirmed by Pyke (2005) that records across Australia were of G. holbrooki.

Distribution Table

Top of page

The distribution in this summary table is based on all the information available. When several references are cited, they may give conflicting information on the status. Further details may be available for individual references in the Distribution Table Details section which can be selected by going to Generate Report.

Last updated: 10 Jan 2020

Continent/Country/Region	Distribution	Origin	Invasive	Reference	Notes
Africa
Comoros	Present	Introduced		Froese and Pauly (2010)
Côte d'Ivoire	Present	Introduced		Welcomme (1988)
Egypt	Present	Introduced		Welcomme (1988)
Ghana	Present	Introduced		Welcomme (1988)
Kenya	Present	Introduced		Froese and Pauly (2010)
Madagascar	Present	Introduced		Froese and Pauly (2010)
Mauritius	Present	Introduced		Froese and Pauly (2010)
-Rodrigues	Present	Introduced		Froese and Pauly (2010)
Morocco	Present	Introduced		Froese and Pauly (2010)
South Africa	Present	Introduced		Froese and Pauly (2010)
Sudan	Present	Introduced		Froese and Pauly (2010)
Zambia	Present	Introduced		Froese and Pauly (2010)	Not established
Zimbabwe	Present	Introduced		CABI (Undated)	Original citation: Bell-Cross and Minshull (1988)
Asia
Afghanistan	Present	Introduced		CABI (Undated)	Original citation: Coad (1981)
Armenia	Present	Introduced		CABI (Undated)	Original citation: Gabrielyan (2001)
Bangladesh	Present	Introduced		CABI (Undated)	Original citation: Gopi (2000)
Cambodia	Present	Introduced		Froese and Pauly (2010)
China	Present	Introduced	Invasive	Welcomme (1988)
Georgia	Present	Introduced		CABI (Undated)	Original citation: Reshetnikov and et al. (1997)
Hong Kong	Present	Introduced	Invasive	CABI (Undated)	Original citation: Man and Hodgkiss (1981)
India	Present	Introduced		Froese and Pauly (2010)
Indonesia	Present	Introduced		Froese and Pauly (2010)	Not established
Iraq	Present	Introduced		Froese and Pauly (2010)
Israel	Present	Introduced		Froese and Pauly (2010)
Japan	Present	Introduced		Froese and Pauly (2010)
Kazakhstan	Present	Introduced		Froese and Pauly (2010)
Laos	Present	Introduced		Froese and Pauly (2010)
Malaysia	Present	Introduced		Froese and Pauly (2010)
Myanmar	Present	Introduced		Froese and Pauly (2010)
Pakistan	Present	Introduced		Froese and Pauly (2010)
Philippines	Present	Introduced		Froese and Pauly (2010)
Singapore	Present	Introduced		Froese and Pauly (2010)
Sri Lanka	Present	Introduced		Froese and Pauly (2010)
Syria	Present	Introduced		Froese and Pauly (2010)
Taiwan	Present	Introduced		Froese and Pauly (2010)
Thailand	Present	Introduced		Froese and Pauly (2010)
Turkey	Present	Introduced		FAO (1997)
Uzbekistan	Present	Introduced		CABI (Undated)	Original citation: Kamilov and Urchinov (1995)
Vietnam	Present	Introduced		Froese and Pauly (2010)
Europe
Albania	Present	Introduced		FAO (1997)
Bulgaria	Present	Introduced		Froese and Pauly (2010)
France	Present	Introduced		CABI (Undated)	Original citation: Keith and Allardi (1998)
Greece	Present	Introduced		Welcomme (1988)
Hungary	Present	Introduced		Froese and Pauly (2010)
Italy	Present	Introduced		Froese and Pauly (2010)
Portugal	Present	Introduced		Froese and Pauly (2010)
Romania	Present	Introduced		Froese and Pauly (2010)
Russia	Present	Introduced		Froese and Pauly (2010)
Serbia and Montenegro	Present	Introduced		Welcomme (1988)
Spain	Present	Introduced		Froese and Pauly (2010)
Ukraine	Present	Introduced		CABI (Undated)	Original citation: Movchan Yu (1988)
North America
Canada	Present	Introduced		Welcomme (1988)
Mexico	Present	Native		CABI (Undated)	Original citation: Page and Burr (1991)
Puerto Rico	Present	Introduced		Froese and Pauly (2010)
United States	Present	Native		CABI (Undated)	Original citation: Page and Burr (1991)
-Hawaii	Present	Introduced		CABI (Undated)	Original citation: Yamamoto (1992)
Oceania
American Samoa	Present	Introduced		Welcomme (1988)
Australia	Absent, Unconfirmed presence record(s)			Welcomme (1988)	Earlier reports of G. affinis are of G. holbrooki
Cook Islands	Present	Introduced		Welcomme (1988)
Federated States of Micronesia	Present	Introduced		Froese and Pauly (2010)
Fiji	Present	Introduced		CABI (Undated)	Original citation: Lewis and Pring (1986)
French Polynesia	Present	Introduced		Froese and Pauly (2010)
Guam	Present	Introduced		Welcomme (1988)
Kiribati	Present	Introduced		Froese and Pauly (2010)
Marshall Islands	Present	Introduced		Froese and Pauly (2010)
New Zealand	Present	Introduced		Froese and Pauly (2010)
Northern Mariana Islands	Present	Introduced		Froese and Pauly (2010)
Papua New Guinea	Present	Introduced		Froese and Pauly (2010)
Samoa	Present	Introduced		Froese and Pauly (2010)
Solomon Islands	Present	Introduced		Froese and Pauly (2010)
Timor-Leste	Present	Introduced		Froese and Pauly (2010)
South America
Argentina	Present	Introduced		Welcomme (1988)
Bolivia	Present	Introduced	Invasive	Welcomme (1988)
Chile	Present	Introduced	Invasive	Welcomme (1988)
Peru	Present	Introduced		Froese and Pauly (2010)

Introductions

Top of page

Introduced to	Introduced from	Year	Reason	Introduced by	Established in wild through		References	Notes
Introduced to	Introduced from	Year	Reason	Introduced by	Natural reproduction	Continuous restocking	References	Notes
Afghanistan				Unknown	Yes	No	Coad (1981); Coad (1981)
Albania				Unknown	Yes	No	FAO (1997)
Argentina		1943		Unknown	Yes	No	Welcomme (1988)
Bangladesh				Unknown	No	No	Gopi (2000)
Bolivia				Unknown	Yes	No	Welcomme (1988)
Canada	California	1924		Unknown	Yes	No	Welcomme (1988)
Central Africa		1958		Unknown	Yes	No	Welcomme (1988)
Chile		1937		Unknown	Yes	No	Welcomme (1988)
China	North America			Unknown	Yes	No	Xie (2001)
Côte d'Ivoire				Unknown	No	No	Welcomme (1988)
Cyprus	Syria			Unknown	No	No	Welcomme (1988)
Egypt		1929		Unknown	Yes	No	Welcomme (1988)
Fiji		1930-1939		Unknown	Yes	No	Welcomme (1988)
France	North America	1924		Unknown	Yes	No	Keith and Allardi (1998)
French Polynesia				Unknown	Yes	No	Welcomme (1988)
Georgia (Republic of)	Italy	1925		Unknown	Yes	No	Reshetnikov and et al. (1997); Reshetnikov et al. (1997)
Ghana				Unknown	No	No	Welcomme (1988)
Greece				Unknown	Yes	No	Welcomme (1988)
Hawaii	Texas	1905		Individual	Yes	No	Welcomme (1988)
Hong Kong				Unknown	Yes	No	FAO (1997)
Hungary		1939		Unknown	Yes	No	FAO (1997)
India	Italy	1928		Government	Yes	No	FAO (1997)
Indonesia	Italy	1929		Unknown	Yes	No	Welcomme (1988)
Iraq		1950-1955		Government	Yes	No	FAO (1997)
Israel		1924		Unknown	Yes	No	Golani and Mires (2000); Golani and Mires (2000)
Italy	USA	1919-1921		Unknown	Yes	No	Welcomme (1988)
Japan	Taiwan	1916		Unknown	Yes	No	Chiba and et al. (1989); Chiba et al. (1989)
Kazakhstan	Russian Federation	1934		Unknown	Yes	No	Mitrofanov and Petr (1999); Mitrofanov and Petr (1999)
Kenya				Unknown	Yes	No	FAO (1997)
Kiribati				Unknown	Yes	No	Welcomme (1988)
Laos				Unknown	No	No	; Kottelat (2001); Kottelat (2001a); Kottelat et al. (2001a)
Madagascar	USA	1929		Unknown	Yes	No	Welcomme (1988)
Malaysia				Unknown	Yes	No	Ang and et al. (1989); Ang et al. (1989)
Mexico		1931		Unknown	Yes	No	Welcomme (1988)
Morocco		1929		Unknown	Yes	No	Welcomme (1988)
Myanmar				Unknown	No	No	Gopi (2000)
New Zealand	Hawaii	1930		Unknown	Yes	No	Welcomme (1988)
Pakistan				Unknown	No	No	Gopi (2000)
Papua New Guinea		1930		Unknown	Yes	No	Welcomme (1988)
Peru	Central America	1940		Unknown	Yes	No	Welcomme (1988)
Philippines	Hawaii	1905		Government	Yes	No	Juliano and et al. (1989); Juliano et al. (1989)
Portugal		1921		Unknown	Yes	No	Welcomme (1988)
Puerto Rico	USA	1914		Unknown	Yes	No	Welcomme (1988)
Romania		1921		Unknown	Yes	No	FAO (1997)
Russian Federation	Italy	1925		Unknown	Yes	No	Reshetnikov and et al. (1997); Reshetnikov et al. (1997)
Solomon Islands				Unknown	Yes	No	Eldredge (1994); Eldredge (1994)
South Africa		1936		Unknown	Yes	No	Welcomme (1988)
Spain		1921		Unknown	Yes	No	Welcomme (1988)
Sri Lanka		1930-1939		Unknown	Yes	No	Pethiyagoda (1991); Pethiyagoda (1991)
Sudan	Italy	1929		Unknown	Yes	No	Welcomme (1988)
Syria				Unknown	Yes	No	Welcomme (1988)
Taiwan	North America	1920-1924		Unknown	Yes	No	Welcomme (1988)
Thailand				Government	Yes	No	Piyakarnchana (1989); Piyakarnchana (1989)
Turkey				Unknown	Yes	No	FAO (1997)
Ukraine				Unknown	No	No	Movchan Yu (1988)
Uzbekistan	Italy	1930		Unknown	Yes	No	Welcomme (1988)
Yugoslavia (Serbia and Montenegro)		1927		Unknown	Yes	No	Welcomme (1988)
Zambia	South Africa	1940-1949		Unknown	No	No	Thys van den Audenaerde DFE (1994)
Zimbabwe	USA	1925		Unknown	Yes	No	Welcomme (1988)

Habitat List

Top of page

Category	Sub-Category	Habitat	Presence
Terrestrial	Managed	Ricefields	Present, no further details
Terrestrial	Natural / Semi-natural	Floodplains	Present, no further details
Terrestrial	Natural / Semi-natural	Swamps	Present, no further details
Freshwater
Freshwater		Lakes	Present, no further details
Freshwater		Rivers / streams	Present, no further details
Freshwater		Ponds	Present, no further details
Brackish
Brackish		Lagoons	Present, no further details

Natural Food Sources

Top of page

Food Source	Food Source Datasheet	Life Stage	Contribution to Total Food Intake (%)	Details
detritus		Adult/Broodstock
zoobenthos		Adult/Broodstock
zooplankton		Adult/Broodstock

Climate

Top of page

Climate	Status	Description	Remark
A - Tropical/Megathermal climate	Preferred	Average temp. of coolest month > 18°C, > 1500mm precipitation annually
C - Temperate/Mesothermal climate	Preferred	Average temp. of coldest month > 0°C and < 18°C, mean warmest month > 10°C

Water Tolerances

Top of page

Parameter	Minimum Value	Maximum Value	Typical Value	Status	Life Stage
Salinity (part per thousand)			<16	Optimum	Adult
Water pH (pH)	6	8		Optimum	Adult
Water temperature (ºC temperature)	15	30		Optimum	Adult

Natural enemies

Top of page

Natural enemy	Type	Life stages	Specificity	References	Biological control in	Biological control on
Cichla ocellaris	Predator	Adult		Honebrink (1990)
Morone saxatilis	Predator	Adult		Setler and et al. (1980)

Means of Movement and Dispersal

Top of page

Intentional Introduction

Intentional release of G. affinis is carried out by mosquito-control agencies.

Pathway Causes

Top of page

Cause	Notes	Long Distance	Local
Biological control	Introduced for mosquito control	Yes	Yes
Live food or feed trade	Live food fish		Yes
Ornamental purposes	Ornamental fish	Yes	Yes

Impact Summary

Top of page

Category	Impact
Biodiversity (generally)	Negative
Human health	Positive
Native fauna	Negative
Rare/protected species	Negative

Environmental Impact

Top of page

G. affinis has been regarded as a controversial species as it has created ecological problems of various kinds but is, at the same time, perceived as being extremely useful in controlling unwanted organisms (Welcomme, 1988). According to Courtenay and Meffe (1989), mosquitofish have had the greatest ecological impact by far of any of the introduced poeciliids. Although widely introduced as mosquito control agents, recent critical reviews of the world literature on mosquito control have not supported the view that Gambusia are particularly effective in reducing mosquito populations or in reducing the incidence of mosquito-borne diseases (Courtenay and Meffe, 1989).

Because of the aggressive and predatory behaviour of G. affinis, it is reported that native fish species and populations of small fish tend to decline, or are eliminated in areas where it has become established. In some habitats, introduced G. affinis reportedly displaced select native fish species regarded as better or more efficient mosquito control agents. They have been particularly destructive in the American West where they have contributed to the elimination or decline of populations of federally endangered and threatened species (Courtenay and Meffe, 1989). Mosquitofish, and other introduced poeciliids, have been implicated in the decline of native damselflies on Oahu, Hawaii. Often the distributions of the damselflies and introduced fishes were found to be mutually exclusive, probably resulting from predation of the fish on the insects (Englund, 1999).

For further information on predation see Threat Abatement Plan for Gambusia holbrooki (NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service, 2003).

Threatened Species

Top of page

Threatened Species	Conservation Status	Where Threatened	Mechanism	References
Crenichthys baileyi (White River killfish)	VU (IUCN red list: Vulnerable)	Nevada		Nico et al. (2007)
Fundulus sciadicus (Plains topminnow)	LC (IUCN red list: Least concern)
Neochanna diversus (black mudfish)	DD (IUCN red list: Data deficient)	New Zealand		Willis and Ling (2000)
Poeciliopsis occidentalis (Gila topminnow)	VU (IUCN red list: Vulnerable); USA ESA listing as endangered species	Arizona; New Mexico	Competition - monopolizing resources	US Fish and Wildlife Service (1998)
Ambrysus funebris (Nevares Spring naucorid bug)	No Details	Hawaii	Predation	US Fish and Wildlife Service (2014a)
Erinna newcombi (Newcomb's snail)	VU (IUCN red list: Vulnerable); USA ESA listing as threatened species	Hawaii	Predation	US Fish and Wildlife Service (2006)
Gambusia heterochir (Clear Creek gambusia)	VU (IUCN red list: Vulnerable); USA ESA listing as endangered species	Texas	Competition - monopolizing resources; Hybridization	US Fish and Wildlife Service (1982)
Gila nigra (headwater chub)	NT (IUCN red list: Near threatened)	Arizona; New Mexico	Predation	US Fish and Wildlife Service (2013a)
Gila robusta (roundtail chub)	NT (IUCN red list: Near threatened)	Arizona; California; Nevada	Competition (unspecified); Predation	US Fish and Wildlife Service (2013b)
Hyla wrightorum (Arizona treefrog)	LC (IUCN red list: Least concern)	Arizona	Predation	US Fish and Wildlife Service (2013c)
Iotichthys phlegethontis (least chub)	EN (IUCN red list: Endangered)	Utah	Competition (unspecified); Predation	US Fish and Wildlife Service (2013d)
Lepidomeda mollispinis pratensis (Big Spring spinedace)	USA ESA listing as threatened species	Nevada	Predation	US Fish and Wildlife Service (1994)
Megalagrion xanthomelas (orangeblack Hawaiian damselfly)	VU (IUCN red list: Vulnerable); USA ESA listing as endangered species	Hawaii	Predation	US Fish and Wildlife Service (2014b)
Plagopterus argentissimus (woundfin)	EN (IUCN red list: Endangered); USA ESA listing as endangered species	Arizona; Nevada; New Mexico; Utah	Competition - monopolizing resources; Predation	US Fish and Wildlife Service (2008b)
Pyrgulopsis morrisoni (page springsnail)	DD (IUCN red list: Data deficient); USA ESA candidate species	Arizona	Predation	US Fish and Wildlife Service (2013e)
Rhinichthys osculus lethoporus (Independence Valley speckled dace)	USA ESA listing as endangered species	Nevada	Competition (unspecified); Ecosystem change / habitat alteration	US Fish and Wildlife Service (2008a)
Rana chiricahuensis (Chiricahua leopard frog)	VU (IUCN red list: Vulnerable)	Arizona

Risk and Impact Factors

Top of page

Invasiveness

Proved invasive outside its native range
Highly adaptable to different environments
Has high reproductive potential

Impact outcomes

Ecosystem change/ habitat alteration
Threat to/ loss of endangered species
Threat to/ loss of native species

Impact mechanisms

Competition - monopolizing resources
Competition (unspecified)
Hybridization
Predation

Likelihood of entry/control

Highly likely to be transported internationally deliberately

Uses List

Top of page

Animal feed, fodder, forage

Live feed

Environmental

Biological control

General

Ornamental

Similarities to Other Species/Conditions

Top of page

G. affinis can be confused with G. holbrooki and at one time they were classified as the subspecies G. affinis affinis and G. affinis holbrooki, respectively (Froese and Pauly, 2007).

Prevention and Control

Top of page

Due to the variable regulations around (de)registration of pesticides, your national list of registered pesticides or relevant authority should be consulted to determine which products are legally allowed for use in your country when considering chemical control. Pesticides should always be used in a lawful manner, consistent with the product's label.

Control

Chemical control

Chemical control of mosquitofish was investigated by Willis and Ling (2000) in New Zealand in fish living alongside the black mudfish, Neochanna diversus. The relative sensitivities of the mudfish and mosquitofish to the chemical compound rotenone were tested to determine whether the piscicide could be used to remove the mosquitofish from the mudfish habitats – the former having detrimental effects of the survival of mudfish. Rotenone was chosen as although it is extremely toxic to fish by acting by blocking cellular oxygen uptake causing fish to gasp at the water’s surface, non-target fish can be saved by removal to freshwater or by the addition of a strong oxidising agent.

Their study found that mudfish were approximately twice as sensitive to rotenone as mosquitofish; however, when mudfish were removed from the treated areas they did fully recover. Willis and Ling concluded that the application of rotenone to wetland standing water could only be used to control mosquitofish numbers rather than eliminate them completely.

References

Top of page

Allen GR, 1991. Field guide to the freshwater fishes of New Guinea. Madang, Papua New Guinea: Christensen Research Institute, 180 pp.

Ang KJ, Gopinath R, Chua TE, 1989. The status of introduced fish species in Malaysia. In: De Silva SS, ed. Exotic aquatic organisms in Asia. Proceedings of the Workshop on Introduction of Exotic Aquatic Organisms in Asia. Asian Fisheries Society. Special Publication 3. Manila, Philippines: Asian Fisheries Society, 71-82.

Arkhipchuk VV, 1999. Chromosome database. Database of Dr. Victor Arkhipchuk. Ukraine.

Bell-Cross G, Minshull JL, 1988. The fishes of Zimbabwe. National Museums and Monuments of Zimbabwe, Harare. 294 pp.

Billard R, 1997. Les poissons d’eau douce des rivieres de France. Identification, inventaire et repartition des 83 especes. Lausanne: Delachaux and Niestle, 192 pp.

Burgess GH, Franz R, 1989. Zoogeography of the Antillean freshwater fish fauna. In: Woods CA, ed. Biogeography of the West Indies: past, present, and future, 236-304.

Chiba K, Taki Y Sakai K, Oozeki Y, 1989. Present status of aquatic organisms introduced into Japan. In: De Silva SS, ed., Exotic aquatic organisms in Asia, Proceedings of the Workshop on Introduction of Exotic Aquatic Organisms in Asia, p 63-70, Asian Fish Soc. Spec. Publ. 3,. Manila, Philippines: Asian Fish Society.

Coad BW, 1981. Fishes of Afghanistan, an annotated check-list. Publications in Zoology, National Museums of Canada, 14:23.

Courtenay WRJr, Meffe GK, 1989. Small fishes in strange places: a review of introduced poeciliids. Ecology and evolution of livebearing fishes (Poeciliidae)., 319-331.

Eldredge LG, 1994. Perspectives in aquatic exotic species management in the Pacific islands. Volume I. Introduction of commercially significant aquatic organisms to the Pacific islands. South Pacific Commission, Noumea, New Caledonia, 127 pp.

Englund RA, 1999. The impacts of introduced poeciliid fish and Odonata on the endemic Megalagrion (Odonata) damselflies of Oahu Island, Hawaii. Journal of Insect Conservation, 3(3):225-243.

FAO, 1997. FAO Database on Introduced Aquatic Species. FAO, Rome, Italy: Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations.

Fishbase, 2004. Entry for Gambusia affinis. Main ref. Page LM, Burr BM, 1991. A field guide to freshwater fishes of North America north of Mexico. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company, 432 pp. Online at www.fishbase.org. Accessed 17 September 2004.

Froese R, Pauly D, 2007. FishBase. http://www.fishbase.org

Froese R, Pauly D, 2010. FishBase. http://www.fishbase.org

Gabrielyan BK, 2001. An annotated checklist of freshwater fishes of Armenia. Naga, 24(3/4):23-29.

Gandolfi G, Zerunian S, Torricelli P, Marconato A, eds, 1991. I pesci delle acque interne italiane. Ministero dell’Ambiente e Unione Zoologica Italiana. Instituto Poligrafico e Zecca dello Stato, Roma. 616 pp.

Golani D, Mires D, 2000. Introduction of fishes to the freshwater system of Israel. Isr. J. Aquacult./Bamidgeh, 52(2):47-60.

Gopi KC, 2000. Freshwater fishes of Kerala State. In: Ponniah AG, Gopalakrishnan A, eds. Endemic Fish Diversity of Western Ghats. NBFGR-NATP Publication. Lucknow, UP, India: National Bureau of Fish Genetic Resources, 56-76.

Honebrink R, 1990. Fishing in Hawaii: a student manual. Honolulu, Hawaii: Education Program, Division of Aquatic Resources, 79 pp.

ISSG, 2010. Global Invasive Species Database (GISD). Invasive Species Specialist Group of the IUCN Species Survival Commission. http://www.issg.org/database

Juliano RO, Guerrero R III, Ronquillo I, 1989. The introduction of exotic aquatic species in the Philippines. In: De Silva SS, ed. Proceedings of the Workshop on Introduction of Exotic Aquatic Organisms in Asia: The Asian Fisheries Society, 83-90.

Kamilov G, Urchinov Zh U, 1995. Fish and fisheries in Uzbekistan under the impact of irrigated agriculture. In: Petr T, ed. Inland fisheries under the impact of irrigated agriculture: Central Asia. FAO Fisheries Circular No. 894, 10-41.

Keith P, Allardi J, 1998. The introduced freshwater fish of France: status, impacts and management. In: Cowx IG, ed. Stocking and introduction of fish. Fishing News Books. Bodmin, Cornwall: MPG Books Ltd., 153-166.

Klinkhardt M, Tesche M, Greven H, 1995. Database of fish chromosomes. Westarp Wissenschaften, 179 pp.

Kottelat M, 2001. Fishes of Laos. Colombo, Sri Lanka: WHT Publications Ltd., 198 pp.

Lewis AD, Pring CK, 1986. Freshwater and brackishwater fish and fisheries of Fiji. In: Petr T, ed. Reports and papers presented at the Indo-Pacific Fishery Commission Expert Consultation on inland fisheries of the larger Indo-Pacific islands. Bangkok, Thailand, 4-6 August 1986. FAO Fish. Rep. (371) Suppl., 38-59.

Man SH, Hodgkiss IJ, 1981. Hong Kong freshwater fishes. Hong Kong: Urban Council, Wishing Printing Company, 75 pp.

Masuda H, Amaoka K, Araga C, Uyeno T, Yoshino T, 1984. The fishes of the Japanese Archipelago. Vol. 1. Tokyo, Japan: Tokai University Press, 437 pp.

Mitrofanov VP, Petr T, 1999. Fish and fisheries in the Altai, Northern Tien Shan and Lake Balkhash (Kazakhstan). In: Petr T, ed. Fish and fisheries at higher altitudes: Asia. FAO Fish. Tech. Pap. No. 385. FAO, Rome, 149-167.

Movchan Yu V, 1988. Fauna of Ukraine. Fishes. Loaches, catfishes, channel catfishes, freshwater eels, conger eels, garfishes, codfishes, sticklebacks, seahorses, mosquitofishes, John dories, barracudas, grey mullets, silversides, lings. Kiev: Naukova dumka Publishing House, 8(3), 367 pp.

NBFGR, 1998. Fish chromosome atlas. Lucknow, India: National Bureau of Fish Genetic Resources Special Publication, No. 1, 332 pp.

Nico L, Fuller P, Jacobs G, 2007. Gambusia affinis. USGS Nonindigenous Aquatic Species Database. Gainesville, FL: USGS. http://nas.er.usgs.gov/queries/FactSheet.asp?speciesID=845

NSW National Parks Wildlife Service, 2003. NSW Threat Abatement Plan. Predation by Gambusia holbrooki - The Plague Minnow. Hurstville, NSW: NPWS. http://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/PDFs/Threat_Abatement_Plan_Plaque_Minnow.pdf

Page LM, Burr BM, 1991. A field guide to freshwater fishes of North America north of Mexico. Houghton Mifflin Company, Boston, 432 pp.

Pethiyagoda R, 1991. Freshwater fishes of Sri Lanka. The Wildlife Heritage Trust of Sri Lanka, Colombo, 362 pp.

Piyakarnchana T, 1989. Exotic aquatic species in Thailand. In: De Silva SS, ed. Exotic aquatic organisms in Asia. Proceedings of the Workshop on Introduction of Exotic Aquatic Organisms in Asia. Asian Fish. Soc. Spec. Publ, 3. Manila, Philippines: Asian Fisheries Society, 119-124.

Pyke GH, 2005. A review of the biology of Gambusia affinis and G. holbrooki. Reviews in Fish Biology and Fisheries, 15(4):339-365. http://www.springerlink.com/link.asp?id=100215

Reshetnikov YS, Bogutskaya NG, Vasil’eva ED, Dorofeeva EA, Naseka AM, Popova OA, Savvaitova KA, Sideleva VG, Sokolov LI, 1997. An annotated check-list of the freshwater fishes of Russia. Journal of Ichthyology, 37:687-736.

Setler EM, Boynton WR, Wood KV, Zion HH, Lubbers L, Mountford NK, Frere P, Tucker L, Mihursky JA, 1980. Synopsis of biological data on striped bass, Morone saxatilis (Walbaum). NOAA Technical Report NMFS Circular 433, FAO Synopsis No. 121.

Shrestha TK, 1990. Resource ecology of the Himalayan waters. Kathmandu, Nepal: Curriculum Development Centre, Tribhuvan University, 645 pp.

Thys van den Audenaerde DFE, 1994. Introduction of aquatic species into Zambian waters, and their importance for aquaculture and fisheries. Aquaculture for Local Community Development Programme, ALCOM Field Document No. 24, 29 pp.

US Fish and Wildlife Service, 1982. In: Clear Creek Gambusia (Gambusia heterochir) Recovery Plan. US Fish and Wildlife Service, 29 pp..

US Fish and Wildlife Service, 1994. In: Big Spring Spinedace (Lepidomeda mollispinis pratensis) Recovery Plan. US Fish and Wildlife Service, 51 pp.. http://ecos.fws.gov/docs/recovery_plan/940120.pdf

US Fish and Wildlife Service, 1998. In: Gila Topminnow, Poeciliopsis occidentalis occidentalis, Revised Recovery Plan. US Fish and Wildlife Service, 83 pp..

US Fish and Wildlife Service, 2006. In: Final Recovery Plan for the Newcomb's Snail (Erinna newcombi). US Fish and Wildlife Service, 61 pp.. http://ecos.fws.gov/docs/recovery_plan/060918b.pdf

US Fish and Wildlife Service, 2008. In: Independence Valley Speckled Dace (Rhinichthys osculus lethoporus). 5-Year Review: Summary and Evaluation. US Fish and Wildlife Service, 27 pp..

US Fish and Wildlife Service, 2008. In: The Virgin River Fish Woundfin (Plagopterus argentissimus) Virgin River chub (Gila seminuda). 5-Year Review: Summary and Evaluation. US Fish and Wildlife Service, 71 pp..

US Fish and Wildlife Service, 2013. In: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service species assessment and listing priority assignment form: Gila nigra. US Fish and Wildlife Service, 37 pp.. http://ecos.fws.gov/docs/candidate/assessments/2013/r2/E0AH_V01.pdf

US Fish and Wildlife Service, 2013. In: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service species assessment and listing priority assignment form: Gila robusta. US Fish and Wildlife Service, 79 pp.. http://ecos.fws.gov/docs/candidate/assessments/2013/r2/E02Z_V01.pdf

US Fish and Wildlife Service, 2013. In: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service species assessment and listing priority assignment form: Hyla wrightorum. US Fish and Wildlife Service, 34 pp.. https://ecos.fws.gov/docs/candidate/assessments/2014/r2/D03S_V02.pdf

US Fish and Wildlife Service, 2013. In: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service species assessment and listing priority assignment form: Iotichthys phlegethontis. US Fish and Wildlife Service, 47 pp.. http://ecos.fws.gov/docs/candidate/assessments/2013/r6/E02U_V01.pdf

US Fish and Wildlife Service, 2013. In: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service species assessment and listing priority assignment form: Pyrgulopsis morrisoni. US Fish and Wildlife Service, 17 pp.. http://ecos.fws.gov/docs/candidate/assessments/2013/r2/G059_I01.pdf

US Fish and Wildlife Service, 2014. In: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service species assessment and listing priority assignment form: Ambrysus funebris. US Fish and Wildlife Service, 17 pp.. http://ecos.fws.gov/docs/candidate/assessments/2014/r8/I0T8_I01.pdf

US Fish and Wildlife Service, 2014. In: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service species assessment and listing priority assignment form: Megalagrion xanthomelas. US Fish and Wildlife Service, 14 pp.. http://ecos.fws.gov/docs/candidate/assessments/2014/r1/I063_I01.pdf

USGS, 2003. Non indigenous aquatic species database. US Geological Survey Online, USA. Online. http://nas.er.usgs.gov/. Accessed on 27 February 2004.

Welcomme RL, 1988. International introductions of inland aquatic species. FAO Fisheries Technical Paper, No. 294:x + 318 pp.

Willis K, Ling N, 2000. Sensitivities of mosquitofish and black mudfish to a piscicide: could rotenone be used to control mosquitofish in New Zealand wetlands? New Zealand Journal of Zoology, 27(2):85-91.

Xie Y, 2001. Invasive species in China - An overview. In: Balakrishna P, ed. Report of Workshop on Alien Invasive Species, GBF-SSEA. Colombo, Sri Lanka: IUCN Regional Biodiversity Programme, 20-46.

Yamamoto MN, 1992. Occurrence, distribution and abundance of accidentally introduced freshwater aquatic organisms in Hawaii. State of Hawaii, Federal Aid in Sportfish Restoration, Dingell-Johnson JOR. Freshwater Fisheries Research and Surveys, Project No. F-14-R-16.

Yamamoto MN, Tagawa AW, 2000. Hawai’i’s native and exotic freshwater animals. Mutual Publishing, Honolulu, Hawaii, 200 pp.

Distribution References

Anon, 1988. FAO Fisheries Technical Paper. [ed. by Welcomme R L]. Rome, Italy: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. x + 318 pp.

Anon, 2010. FishBase. In: FishBase, [ed. by Froese R, Pauly D]. http://www.fishbase.org

CABI, Undated. Compendium record. Wallingford, UK: CABI

CABI, Undated a. CABI Compendium: Status as determined by CABI editor. Wallingford, UK: CABI

FAO, 1997. FAO Database on Introduced Aquatic Species., Rome, Italy: Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations.

Links to Websites

Top of page

Website	URL	Comment
Gambusia control homepage	http://www.gambusia.net
GISD/IASPMR: Invasive Alien Species Pathway Management Resource and DAISIE European Invasive Alien Species Gateway	https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.m93f6	Data source for updated system data added to species habitat list.
Global register of Introduced and Invasive species (GRIIS)	http://griis.org/	Data source for updated system data added to species habitat list.

Contributors

Top of page

09/01/2010 Updated by:

Vicki Bonham, CABI, Nosworthy Way, Wallingford, OX10 8DE, UK

Main Author
Sunil Siriwardena
Institute of Aquaculture, University of Stirling, Stirling, FK9 4LA, UK

Distribution Maps

Top of page

You can pan and zoom the map

Save map

Unsupported Web Browser:

One or more of the features that are needed to show you the maps functionality are not available in the web browser that you are using.

Please consider upgrading your browser to the latest version or installing a new browser.

More information about modern web browsers can be found at http://browsehappy.com/

Datasheet

Gambusia affinis (western mosquitofish)

Toolbox