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

Examples of mosquito fish in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
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

Word History

First Known Use

1917, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of mosquito fish was in 1917

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Cite this Entry

“Mosquito fish.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mosquito%20fish. Accessed 6 Apr. 2025.

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