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Mosquitofish are a species of fresh water fish that are normally known by a simple generic name, "Gambusia" and in Hong Kong they are also known as live-bearing tooth-carp. Mosquitofish are native to the watershed of the Gulf of Mexico, where they readily feed on the aquatic larval and pupal stages of the mosquito, hence the name. They are very hardy fish that can survive in water with very low oxygen content and even live for short periods of time in water of up to 42 degrees. It is mainly for this reason that this species is thought to be the most widespread Freshwater Fish in the world, as it has now been introduced as a bio-control measure to many tropical and temperate areas in both hemispheres. Many of the these bio-control introductions have been considered foolish, as it has had a detrimental to the native fish on the area, causes great damage to other species who demand on the established ecosystem, such as frogs, fish, and other amphibians and reptiles. The Mosquitofish are small and stoutly built, with a dull gray appearance. They are a robust fish with a rounded tail and a terminal, upward pointing mouth, adapted for feeding at the waters surface. Their appearance is similar to that of tropical guppies. Female Mosquitofish can measure up to 2.5 inches (7 cm) when fully matured, whereas male tend to be smaller, measuring just 1.5 inches (4 cm). Under the right conditions the Mosquitofish can live about two to three years. Females reach sexual maturity at about six to eight weeks of age and may bear three to four broods in a single season. The first tends to number only a dozen, but as the fish matures, broods increase in size and can typically reach 60 to 100 young. Females are able to store sperm in their reproductive tract for up to two months and give birth to live young, as opposed to laying eggs. This gives the young a much higher rate of survival over other egg laying species, who often suffer from predators feeding on the eggs.

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17y ago

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