Observations on feeding of young grass carp on mosquito larvae

Grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella Val.) is well known for its efficacy as a biological weed control agent. The young of the species were observed to feed avidly on mosquito larvae in the present set of experiments. The fish 98–185 mm in length appeared to be comparatively more voracious in feeding than the larger ones (220 mm). The larger grass carp (252 mm), common carp (95–105 mm) and silver carp (97–115 mm) did not feed on the larvae at all. Thus, the small grass carp are expected to exercise some control over the population of mosquitoes in a water body. The propensity of the fish to feed on vegetation is likely to ensure better access to the shallow areas where mosquitoes generally breed. The grass carp can be listed among the larvivorous fishes along with other cyprinids.