Gambusia affinis
Gambusia
Family: Poeciliidae
Origin: North America
Even though they are short lived they breed several times a year with up to 50 offspring at a time.
Photo credit: Stephen Moore
Regional Pest Management Plan (RPMP) status
- Aotea — Exclusion
- Whole region — Sustained control
- Hauraki Gulf Controlled Area Notice pest
General description
Small, non-descript silver fish. Females up to c.6 cm, males up to 3.5 cm.
What you need to know
To help protect our environment:
- You must not distribute or release any gambusia within the Auckland region.
- You must not fish for gambusia in High Conservation Value water bodies or their catchments or anywhere in the Hauraki Gulf Controlled Area.
Habitats
Shallow margins of still or slow-moving waterbodies, lakes, wetlands, ponds, streams.
Impact on environment
Eats zooplankton, eggs and larvae of fish, aquatic and terrestrial macro-invertebrates. Can contribute to poor water clarity, alter nutrient cycling and exacerbate algal blooms.
Control
Management
Check equipment and vessels for freshwater pests, clean everything that has been in contact with the water and dry everything thoroughly.
Find out more:
For more information about gambusia and how to manage them, please contact Auckland Council at pestfree@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz.
