As dengue remains a worry in Bangladesh, researchers at Jahangirnagar University (JU) have found a possible low-cost ally: the country’s own freshwater fish. Their study suggests native species can eat more mosquito larvae than the imported guppy that is often used for this job.
What the Study Found
JU researchers compared three native species, Napit Khayra, zebrafish and blue panchax, with the exotic guppy. The native fish proved more effective at controlling mosquito larvae, and they kept working even in polluted water.
Napit Khayra Leads the Way
Napit Khayra was the standout. It ate 93 to 94 per cent of Culex and Aedes larvae, compared with 56.5 to 61.5 per cent for the guppy. The study was led by JU professor and entomologist Kabirul Bashar, with his student Farhan Chowdhury among the researchers. Entomologist Touhid Uddin Ahmed told Prothom Alo that in their research, the guppy ate 50 to 70 per cent of larvae.
Why Native Fish Make Sense
Guppies are native to the Caribbean and northeastern South America. They have been introduced to many countries for mosquito control, and the guppy is now established in about 60 countries. Native fish already belong to local waters, so they avoid the ecological risks that come with releasing an exotic species. Biological control also offers an alternative to chemical insecticides.
A Tool, Not a Cure-All
Professor Bashar said the method could be applied across the country. The researchers also stress that it should be one part of integrated mosquito management, not a replacement for every other measure. They say more field trials are needed before it is rolled out.
The findings come from controlled experiments, so the next step is testing in real drains, ponds and waterlogged areas. If those results hold up, city authorities could use native fish alongside drain cleaning and removal of standing water.
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