mosquitofish

[ muh-skee-toh-fish ]

noun

, plural (especially collectively) mos·qui·to·fish, (especially referring to two or more kinds or species) mos·qui·to·fish·es.

1. any of several fishes that feed on mosquito larvae, as Gambusia affinis, found in the southeastern U.S., now introduced into other parts of the world for mosquito control.

Word History and Origins

Origin of mosquitofish¹

First recorded in 1925–30; mosquito + fish

Example Sentences

In the early 1900s, these mosquitofish were seen as an effective and inexpensive way to control mosquito populations and stem the spread of illnesses like malaria, since they feasted on mosquito eggs and larvae floating in the water.

From Popular-Science

Invasive mosquitofish are a menace to tadpoles and other amphibian communities worldwide.

From Popular-Science