Fin's Fish Guide
The Live-bearing tooth-carp (Gambusia affinis) is a brackish-water fish of the family Poeciliidae that grows up to 5 cm.
Originally from the southeast of the United States, in the Mississippi basin and the Gulf coast.
Description
The western mosquitofish is a small live-bearing fish of the family Poeciliidae reaching at most about 5 cm; males stay much smaller than females. The stout, silvery-grey body has an upturned mouth for feeding at the water surface. Males possess a gonopodium, an anal fin modified into a copulatory organ. The species is native to the south-eastern United States but has been introduced worldwide to control mosquito larvae. As a result it is now invasive in many countries, where it displaces native fish and amphibians. The mosquitofish is highly adaptable, tolerates warm, oxygen-poor water and reproduces rapidly.
Frequently asked questions
How do you recognise the Live-bearing tooth-carp?
The Live-bearing tooth-carp has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a plain pattern. Small, robust ovoviviparous fish; males much smaller with an anal fin transformed into a copulatory organ (gonopodium). Introduced worldwide against midge larvae.
Where does the Live-bearing tooth-carp live?
The Live-bearing tooth-carp lives in brackish water and is mostly found around mixed bottom. Originally from the southeast of the United States, in the Mississippi basin and the Gulf coast.
How big does the Live-bearing tooth-carp get?
The Live-bearing tooth-carp grows to a maximum of about 5 cm. On average the species is around 4 cm.
Is the Live-bearing tooth-carp dangerous to humans?
No, the Live-bearing tooth-carp is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.
Is the Live-bearing tooth-carp edible?
The Live-bearing tooth-carp is not usually eaten.
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All data
Identification
Appearance
Habitat & distribution
Behaviour & biology
For anglers
Safety
Status & sources
Same genus Gambusia
More from the family Poeciliidae
Want the complete picture on the Live-bearing tooth-carp?
Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Live-bearing tooth-carp is one of 12,519 species in the app.