Availability and utility of local fishes of Shahjahanpur for mosquito control.

Abstract

A survey of fishes in Shahjahanpur in different aquatic habitats revealed 35 indigenous fish species. Out of 35 fish species, 24 were found feeding on mosquito larvae of which 6 species, viz. Chela bacaila, Puntius stigma, Rasbora daniconius, Esomus danricus, Colisa fasciatus and Danio sp., had good larvivorous potential. Most of the fish species preferred to feed on III and IV instar larvae. In the presence of planktonic food, the consumption capacity of fishes for mosquito larvae was lesser on third day (D3) of observation than on first day (D1). The difference in the consumption of mosquito larvae between D1 and D3 was significant (P < 0.01). Similarly, difference in the feeding capacity of fishes in the months of September and January was highly significant (P < 0.001). But there was no seasonal variation in the preference of instar-wise consumption. Indigenous fish species such as C. fasciatus, E. danricus, P. stigma, R. daniconius and Danio sp. could therefore play a significant role in controlling mosquito breeding in this area.