As part of an integrated malaria control programme in a village with numerous ponds and disused wells, health authorities introduce a fish that voraciously consumes Anopheles larvae. The larvivorous fish classically recommended for this purpose is:

• A Clarias batrachus
• B Salmo trutta
• C Cyprinus carpio
• D Gambusia affinis ✓

Explanation

Gambusia affinis, the top minnow or mosquitofish, is the standard larvivorous fish deployed against Anopheles larvae in wells, ponds and other permanent water bodies; Poecilia reticulata, the guppy, is similarly used especially against Culex. Both are small, surface-feeding, tolerant of varied conditions and breed readily, requiring no ongoing cost after introduction. Carp and catfish are food fishes that do not selectively prey on mosquito larvae, and trout require cold flowing waters unsuitable for village impounded water.

Reference: Park's Textbook of Preventive and Social Medicine, 27th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.