As their common name suggests, mosquito fish exclusively feed on the larvae of mosquitoes.
As a result, they prevent the growth of mosquitoes, which is beneficial for humans.
While their main staple is dependent on mosquitoes, they also feed on larvae of other aquatic organisms.
Alongside these, mosquito fish supplement their foraging needs by consuming other food items.
To find out what mosquito fish eat other than mosquitoes, we’ll highlight the food items of their choice.
Insects, Animals, and Fish
Mosquito fish feast does have voracious foraging habits, though the major part of their sustenance comes from mosquitoes.
It means that mosquito fish do forage for other food options if there are no larvae to be found.
Hence, mosquito fish eat tadpoles, frog eggs, koi eggs, shrimp, and ghost shrimp if they are small enough.
Typically though, mosquito fish eat mosquitoes, mosquito larvae, dragonfly larvae, and other larvae.
If the prey size is smaller, mosquito fish do eat snails and other fish as well.
Like other specimens, mosquito fish tend to be cannibalistic as they are opportunistic feeders.
That said, mosquito fish eat their babies, their young, and each other as a result of cannibalism.
As for insects, mosquito fish also devour them if they happen to find them along with larvae.
Fruit, Vegetables, and Plants
Mosquito fish primarily forage larvae, especially those of mosquitoes.
They do, however, forage for other food items if there’s a shortage of their preferred food supply.
Hence, mosquito fish eat detritus, algae, duckweed, and plants.
Although they might not actively forage for plants, mosquito fish would occasionally pick at these food opportunities.
Their favorite food, however, remains the same – that is mosquito larvae!
What mosquito fish don’t eat?
Mosquito fish don’t always feed on fishes as they aren’t fond of swallowing them.
That said, mosquito fish don’t eat minnows or other specimens of a similar kind.
Aside from these, mosquito fish don’t eat flowers as these aren’t their preferred foraging.
