Mosquito-killer Gambusia fish released in Chandigarh's Nagar Van

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, October 1

The UT Fisheries Department today released the mosquito-killer Gambusia fish at Nagar Van near Sukhna Lake as a step towards preventing malaria and dengue in the city.

The department has initiated steps to fight mosquito-borne disease such as malaria and dengue, which are common post-rainy season. In this season, mosquitoes breed rapidly, especially in stagnant water, causing the spread of diseases such as malaria and dengue.

Dr Abdul Qayum, Deputy Conservator, Forest, Manish Kumar Lohan, Director, Department of Animal Husbandry and Fisheries, and Dr Kanwarjit Singh, Joint Director, Animal Husbandry, were present on the occasion. The Gambusia fish will also be released in other stagnant water points in the coming days by the department. Dr Qayum appreciated the efforts of the Animal Husbandry Department in playing an important role in coordination with the Forest Department for the conservation of the ecology of the Sukhna wetland and other water bodies in Chandigarh.

In a day, eats 100 to 300 mosquito larvae

Only female aedes aegypti mosquitoes can spread the dengue virus. The Gambusia adult fish eats 100 to 300 mosquito larvae per day. This fish is small and inedible, which makes it an excellent biological tool for mosquito control because it consumes the larvae before they have a chance to develop into adult mosquitoes.

Lohan said the Gambusia released in the water bodies was being produced at the fish seed farm at Regulatory end of Sukhna Lake functioning under UT Fisheries Department. The department breeds this fish from April to September and then releases it from October onwards as per the requirement.

He said in the northern region, the government fish seed farm in Chandigarh was the only farm which bred rare fish and supplied it to other departments such as Forest and Health, and to the public free of cost. This fish was released into stagnant water bodies to prevent mosquito breeding.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr Kanwarjit Singh said the main aim was to control target mosquito species that could transmit viruses. He said only female aedes aegypti mosquitoes could spread the dengue virus. The Gambusia adult fish eats 100 to 300 mosquito larvae per day. This fish is small and inedible, which makes it an excellent biological tool for mosquito control because it consumes the larvae before they have a chance to develop into adult mosquitoes. He appealed to the public to approach the fish seed farm for collecting mosquito fish for releasing it at stagnant water points, fountains and ponds inside their houses free of cost.