FISH OF WILDERGARDEN

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Fish

We have fish at Wildergarden for the purpose of eating mosquito larvae that may show up in our rain water storage containers. It is impossible to eradicate flying mosquitos during an Indiana summer. We hope that by reducing larvae and encouraging bats (which eat mosquitos) we can provide some biological controls.

Each year we have two species of fish to choose from to put in our rain barrels. The first is aptly named mosquitofish (Gambusia affinis), which is native to Indiana. They are available during Spring from the Marion County Health Department. The second type is the common goldfish (carp), which can be purchased at an aquarium store. There are reasons why each species may be a better choice. Our rain storage system is evolving. 

These are the fish we have had at Wildergarden:

Goldfish in a rain barrel

Fish

Small, brown mosquitofish swim in a red rain barrel.

Mosquitofish

Bright orange goldfish swim in a blue rain barrel. Air from a clear plastic tube makes bubbles in the water.

Goldfish with water bubblers

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