Outdoor Tub Pond with Mosquitofish (Gambusia affinis)

I set up a tub with plants, amphipods, bladder snails, and Mosquitofish. I also added some large rocks to the bottom to host beneficial bacteria. There is no filter or air pump, the water movement seen in the video is from the fish feeding at the surface. The storage tub holds about 20 gallons and has nine fish. Occasionally I will throw in some fish flakes but 90% or more of their diet comes from what's living both in and on the water. Gambusia affinis are livebearers native to the US, but they have been introduced all over the world where they have outcompeted other species. A very controversial fish. Our County Health Department gives them to residents for free to control mosquitos in outdoor water features. In addition to mosquito larvae, these fish will eat their own fry, so I filled the tub with hornwort and java fern to give the babies some places to hide.

Here's a video that shows these fish and their interesting mating behavior:

[Daero]

Is there ever a problem with over flowing when it comes to rain?

[Isamesnea]

Very informative, and interesting! Thank you!❤

[kellz]

Great video thank you, I was mainly concerned about not having a pump/filter, good to know they are okay without!

[GrammyChristine]

We had a 2500 gallon put in a few years ago. We purchased a couple of Koi and 6 mosquito fish. I year or so later, there were probably hundreds of mosquito fish in my pond! A large contributor to the ammonia content… every so often we scoop them out and bring them to our river (allowed in Tn).

[Culicidae]

OMG! I was looking through youtube for Gambusia affinis videos and spot this one. Thinking to self "this looks like the ponds my friend built"

[rnldmanuel]

Can U post more videos of this pond please

[jmikronis]

I don’t have my Gambusia Afinnis in a tote just yet. I got them from our front ditch. Mine are in a container with algae on sticks and some duckweed. The algae are for additional food while the duckweed provides some cover. I’m dipping mosquito larvae out of a place that has them and are feeding them to the Mosquitofish. The water is from rain I caught (it’s not illegal to catch it here).
In essence, I’m putting all of it to work as a nutrient source (no, I’m not killing any of the fish) for my potted fig trees.
I’ve got a few videos of this starting effort.

[theknockoutladysaint]

So the totes can be used, i was worried about them bowing from the water.

[korganrivera]

This is awesome. What kind of bubbler do you use and how do you power it? I'd like to do this and I have a solar-powered battery outside I might be able to use. The mosquitoes here are insane.

[JesusFriendsCommunity]

Hey I’m doing the same thing, I have no water aerator tho, just an upside water gallon that slowly drips into the tub making bubbles. What ya think do I need an aerator

[francoismennes]

Get confused
Thought that when water movés mosquitos don't go there

[ibnuaffan]

Is true if Mosquito fish fast build the population?

[harryfp]

Any chance you could aid me in finding out how to get them as well I’m in middle Tennessee about 3 hours from you