How To Get Your Mosquitofish:

Mosquitofish are available for pickup at the District's office at 155 Mason Circle in Concord (Map) Monday through Friday (except holidays) from 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Containers are provided. Please call in advance if you need large numbers (100 or more - this applies to residents who are going to obtain fish from the District office ONLY). 

Mosquitofish are also available at the Antioch Corporation Yard, 1201 West 4th Street in Antioch (Map) Monday through Friday (except holidays) from 7 a.m. - 4 p.m. 

Mosquitofish may be used in ornamental ponds, horse troughs, stock ponds and other artificial water bodies and may not be placed in creeks or natural ponds without a permit.

                                   
                                    

Biological Control
As a natural predator of mosquito larvae, mosquitofish have been used for mosquito control purposes throughout the world for many years. More than 100,000 of these fish are produced each year at the Contra Costa Mosquito Vector Control District's mosquitofish production facility. These fish are routinely stocked by technicians to control mosquito populations throughout the County. By law, only vector control technicians can place fish in water sources other than those located on private property. Some common 'sources' or sites where these fish are stocked include; artificial lakes, irrigation ditches, storm channels, and natural industrial ponds. To avoid competition with sensitive native amphibian and fish species we do not stock mosquitofish in habitats where such species are known to be present.


Are you raising mosquitoes?
During warm summer months mosquitoes can complete their life cycle from egg to adult in just five days! There are many places where mosquitoes could be developing in your own back yard! Spend a few minutes doing a mosquito check around your yard. Some common sites where you might find larvae include:

• Ornamental Ponds

• Animal Water Troughs

• Swimming pools, spas and water features not maintained
  

You should not find larvae in pools that are regularly filtered and chlorinated. If you see tiny worm-like creatures wiggling at the surface of the water, take a closer look to see if they are mosquito larvae. You may need to enlist the support of biological control and obtain some mosquitofish.

Mosquitofish care
Important: For newly established ponds, you must treat the water to remove chloramine which is added to drinking water by EBMUD and Contra Costa Water District. Chloramine treatment kits can be purchased at aquarium or pet supply stores. When you get your fish home, you will need to acclimate the fish to their new pond (or other site) by placing the container with fish directly into the water for 10-15 minutes or until the pond water and the container's water are near the same temperature. Then release the fish. 

These fish are opportunistic feeders in that they eat just about anything. During the warmer months they usually do not need supplemental feeding. However, if there is no natural food present (i.e. new pond), some artificial food, such as crushed dry dog food will be necessary for fish survival. 

Mosquitofish can tolerate water temperatures between 33 and 104 F, but prefer temperatures between 77 and 86 F, and are often found in the shallow unshaded region of a pond. Algae in limited amounts will not harm fish but may become unsightly. Most pet stores have or can secure for you a preparation with directions for use in fish pools to control algae. 

These hardy fish should survive through several seasons and reproduce to provide continuous biological control of mosquitoes near your home. Your family and neighbors will thank you for your help in mosquito control.

  Fisheries Research

Click on the title for a copy of the research paper in .pdf format!

1.  Sacramento Perch stocked in Moorhen Marsh

2.  Sacramento Perch stocked in McNabney Marsh

3.  Preliminary report on feed trials of Sacramento Perch (Archoplites interruptus)

4.  Embryonic Development of the Sacramento Perch (Archoplites interruptus: A Preliminary Report

5.  Early Development of the Sacramento Perch 

6.  Artificial Hybridization of Green Sunfish 

7.  Preliminary Report On The Artificial Hybridization of Black Crappie

8.  Intergenetic Spawning Between Captive Female Sacramento Perch (Arcohplites interruptus) And Male Rock Bass (Ambloplites rupestrus), Teleostei: Centrarchidae

9.  Intergenteic Spawning Between Captive Female Sacramento Perch And Male Rock Bass (video)     

10.  Perch Filament

11.  Larval Filament (video)

12.  Aquarium Spawning:  Sacramento Perch (video)

09/04/09