Mosquitoes in fish tanks make many families feel uncomfortable because the eggs are initially harmless but they will eventually turn into adult mosquitoes. In this article, Aquatic 247 will help you understand more about mosquito larvae as well as how to get rid of them.
What are mosquitoes in fish tanks?
Mosquito larvae are mosquito larvae in fish tank. When conditions are right (still and warm water), mosquitoes breed and lay eggs.
The mosquito life cycle is divided into 4 stages.
- Stage 1: eggs are laid
- Stage 2: eggs hatch into larvae
- Stage 3: Larva transforms into pupa
- Stage 4: Adult mosquitoes appear ready to mate and repeat the cycle (suck blood from invertebrates to obtain protein)
The whole process only lasts about 7 to 10 days under good conditions. This is a problem because, in just a few days, the female can lay up to 400 eggs.
How long do mosquito larvae stay in water?
Mosquito larvae cannot live without water. The duration of the larval stage varies between 4 and 14 days, contingent upon several elements like species, food availability, and water temperature.
During the pupal stage, which begins a few days after the larval stage, mosquitoes stay in the water. A pupal’s life span is one and a half to four days.
Mosquito larvae and pupae stay in the water for a five and a to eighteen days. It is advisable to take quick action if you are trying to eradicate mosquito larvae from your tank. Most larvae take around a week to mature into adults.
Why you should get rid of fish tank mosquitoes?
Literally, mosquito larvae in aquariums do not harm fish, but they can be annoying. When fish eat fish tank mosquito larvae, they are usually not harmed, but on the contrary, they benefit from nutrients.
So, why should you get rid of mosquitoes in fish tank? Adult mosquitoes will feed on mollusks and humans. From there, it not only causes discomfort but is also a vector for disease transmission, even causing death.
How do control/stop mosquito larvae in fish tank?
There are many methods that you can use to control and prevent mosquito larvae fish tank. Here are our top tips compiled.
Using mosquito net
Covering your tank with a net is an easy and quick solution to keep mosquitoes out of your water source. You should choose an extremely small mesh so that mosquitoes cannot get through but still allow oxygen to enter the water. Besides, it also prevents fish from jumping out of the tank as well as preventing debris from falling into the water.
Having a deeper tank
Mosquitoes often lay eggs in shallow water instead of deep water. So, you can choose aquariums deeper than 15 gallons that will not be suitable for mosquito breeding.
Movement of water
Moving water is a good way to prevent mosquitoes from laying eggs. You can use a filter that suits your fish’s needs and aquarium size. Make sure the movement created by the filter is not too strong, as it will do more harm than good.
Reduce vegetation
Vegetation is a source of food for young larvae to develop. However, if you remove this wonderful source of protein, they will die naturally.
Then, you remove the above water by replacing a new portion of water in the aquarium.
Use fish that eat larvae
Many fish species consume mosquito larvae as a food source. Guppies and mosquito fish are two fish species commonly used in controlling mosquito larvae. Besides, you can also consider other options.
- Minnow
- Tilapia
- Goldfish
- Bluegills
- Catfish
- Bass
When choosing a species that eats larvae, you also need to pay attention to compatibility. For example, mosquito fish are very good at eating larvae but have poor ability to socialize. So, you need to provide the environment they need.
Keeping the outside of house mosquito-free
You should eliminate standing water in your garden and anywhere near your home. This includes puddles, old tires, basins, swimming pools, and buckets. Regularly check for standing water.
Another great way to reduce mosquitoes is to grow rosemary, mint, catnip, and lavender plants as they all repel mosquitoes. Simultaneously, keep your outside garbage cans covered and mow your lawn frequently, as mosquitoes love long grass as a breeding ground.
Apply chemical larvicides
Chemical insecticides are not good for your fish or the house. However, if there is no way to get rid of mosquito larvae, you can use it.
You can use 2 popular products:
- Methoprene
- Pyriproxyfen
However, when using the product, you need to be meticulous because fins are strong chemicals that can kill fish.
In conclusion
Mosquitoes in fish tanks often appear and cause trouble for many families. If not removed, they can cause dangerous diseases such as malaria and dengue fever.
Fortunately, there are many ways to control and prevent the development of mosquito larvae in aquariums. Besides that, take good care of your aquarium and pay attention to small changes to detect any mosquito problems before they become serious.
