Larval prey selectivity of the lampeye killifish Aplocheilichthys spilauchen and its potential for mosquito biocontrol

Abstract

Prey selectivity habit of a cyprinodontiform killifish, Aplocheilichthys spilauchen was investigated in the laboratory to assess its potential as a mosquito control agent. In three different experimental treatments, the fish was exposed to different proportions of mosquito and chironomid larvae. The extent of selection of a given food item was determined by Ivlev’s electivity index. From the results, A. spilauchen fed equally on the mosquito and chironomid larvae (χ2 = 0.8, P > 0.05). The closeness of Ivlev’s electivity index value to 0 for both chironomids and mosquito larvae further reinforces that A. spilauchen selects its prey largely on random basis than choice or preference. However, the percentage composition of mosquito larvae in the stomachs of juvenile killifish was higher than chironomid larvae. The feeding habits of this fish offer an opportunity to further explore it for the purpose of mosquito biocontrol.