illegal to sell mosquito fish?

[Warborg]

Thanks for all the replies

I think there has been some confusion. The way I read the question was more or less "is it illegal to sell native fish?" and "can I buy them online?"

Well, since I was told it was illegal to sell them locally(lfs), I was wondering if it was illegal to buy them from locals or buy them from non-locals(on-line)?

Check with an EPO or a DFG officer. In MA it is illegal to transport fish off of a body of water alive. That may be the case for you too

I do believe you need a fishing license to start catching your own fish(In Texas), which I'd rather not go this route anyways.

I guess to change this subject slightly, is there any other coldwater fish that would eat mosquitos?

 

[Moontanman]

Thanks for all the replies

I think there has been some confusion. The way I read the question was more or less "is it illegal to sell native fish?" and "can I buy them online?"

Well, since I was told it was illegal to sell them locally(lfs), I was wondering if it was illegal to buy them from locals or buy them from non-locals(on-line)?



I do believe you need a fishing license to start catching your own fish(In Texas), which I'd rather not go this route anyways.

I guess to change this subject slightly, is there any other coldwater fish that would eat mosquitos?

We first off to call mosquito fish cold water fish is not accurate, i often catch them in water that is in the 90's. they live quite well where the water stays hot year round, they can tolerate cold much like any other North American temperate fish.

Second, all fish eat mosquito larva, mosquito fish are no better at it than any small fish, the key with them is that they are live bearers and multiply as long as the water is warm. In many application sunfish or other minnows are actually better at eliminating mosquito larvae but they do not breed as fast as gambusia. Gambusia also tend to eat other fishes babies and so should never be released out side their native range.

How many gambusia do you need?

 

[mdzamko]

I don't know if they are illegal to sell or not but know a pet store in my area that sells them on a regular basis.

 

[Louie]

Thanks for all the replies

I think there has been some confusion. The way I read the question was more or less "is it illegal to sell native fish?" and "can I buy them online?"

Well, since I was told it was illegal to sell them locally(lfs), I was wondering if it was illegal to buy them from locals or buy them from non-locals(on-line)?



I do believe you need a fishing license to start catching your own fish(In Texas), which I'd rather not go this route anyways.

I guess to change this subject slightly, is there any other coldwater fish that would eat mosquitos?

I can't think of any fish that is as good as mosquito fish which can handle "cold" water.

 

[Louie]

Thanks for all the replies




We first off to call mosquito fish cold water fish is not accurate, i often catch them in water that is in the 90's. they live quite well where the water stays hot year round, they can tolerate cold much like any other North American temperate fish.

Second, all fish eat mosquito larva, mosquito fish are no better at it than any small fish, the key with them is that they are live bearers and multiply as long as the water is warm. In many application sunfish or other minnows are actually better at eliminating mosquito larvae but they do not breed as fast as gambusia. Gambusia also tend to eat other fishes babies and so should never be released out side their native range.

How many gambusia do you need?
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Sunfish and minnows better than mosquito fish?.

Mosquito fish seem to actually kill for fun and can get in the tiniest areas between floating plants,etc.

 

[Moontanman]

Thanks for all the replies




We first off to call mosquito fish cold water fish is not accurate, i often catch them in water that is in the 90's. they live quite well where the water stays hot year round, they can tolerate cold much like any other North American temperate fish.

Second, all fish eat mosquito larva, mosquito fish are no better at it than any small fish, the key with them is that they are live bearers and multiply as long as the water is warm. In many application sunfish or other minnows are actually better at eliminating mosquito larvae but they do not breed as fast as gambusia. Gambusia also tend to eat other fishes babies and so should never be released out side their native range.

How many gambusia do you need?
--------------
Sunfish and minnows better than mosquito fish?.

Mosquito fish seem to actually kill for fun and can get in the tiniest areas between floating plants,etc.

Mosquito fish kill only what they plan to eat, fun doesn't figure into it. They also decimate the fry of other fishes that live in the shallow places, for this reason they are detrimental to other fishes, many studies have shown gambusia actually prefer other fishes fry to mosquitoes. Any small minnow will eat mosquitoes as well if not better than mosquito fish. Where I live we often stock drainage ponds with black banded sunfish, killie fishes, and top minnows to control mosquitoes. All fish love mosquito larvae, even large fish will often scoop them up if they are plentiful.

 

[trojan09]

i dont think its illegal but you should do your research. cause they sell them for ponds and stuff.

 

[WattaMelon]

If you're looking for a fish to eat mosquito larvae, any carnivore with a huge appetite will do. Depending on the size of your body of water, Lepomis comes to mind.

 

[WahooWillie]

IMO, its hard to beat the mosquito-eating abilities of aggressive killies/topminnows. Any of the topminnows (Fundulus sp) are great at eating mosquitos and even the smaller, very aggressive killies like bluefins have tremendous appetites. Depending on winter temps, bluefins may be an option for your pond (plus they are beautiful). Since you are not going to be catching fish yourself, you can always order fish. Also, look into the pygmy sunfishes (Elassoma sp).
However, if you do not want to spend the money on bluefins, or pygmy sunnies, mosquitofish will be the cheapest option.
Just keep in mind, if you have other fish in the pond that you want to spawn, the Gambusia will try to eat eggs and will compete with the young.

 

[Louie]

Mosquito fish kill only what they plan to eat, fun doesn't figure into it. They also decimate the fry of other fishes that live in the shallow places, for this reason they are detrimental to other fishes, many studies have shown gambusia actually prefer other fishes fry to mosquitoes. Any small minnow will eat mosquitoes as well if not better than mosquito fish. Where I live we often stock drainage ponds with black banded sunfish, killie fishes, and top minnows to control mosquitoes. All fish love mosquito larvae, even large fish will often scoop them up if they are plentiful.

I made the mistake of adding some mosquito fish to a pond where I had ghost shrimps breeding by the drones.
They kill small ghost shrimp and just leave them don't eat them. Granted they eat some but they kill for sake of it.

What temps can the black banded sunfish handle?