Context:
Recently, the Andhra Pradesh government has released approximately 10 million Gambusia fish into the state’s water bodies to combat mosquito-borne diseases like Malaria and Dengue.
- The release of these invasive alien fish species has raised concerns about the potential harm that will be sustained by native species that abound in the state’s freshwater bodies.
Relevance:
GS II: Species in News
About Gambusia fish
- Commonly known as mosquito fish, Gambusia fish is widely utilized as a biological agent to control mosquito larvae populations.
- Originally native to the waters of the south-eastern United States, it has been employed in mosquito-control strategies worldwide, including India, for more than a century.
- A single fully grown Gambusia fish can consume approximately 100 to 300 mosquito larvae per day, making it an effective natural predator.
- In India, Gambusia fish has been a part of various malaria control initiatives, including the Urban Malaria Scheme, since 1928.
- Despite its usefulness in mosquito control, the International Union for Conservation of Nature has classified Gambusia as one of the 100 worst invasive alien species globally, highlighting its potential negative impact on local ecosystems.
-Source: The Hindu
