Atqiya Labiba Maisha, Class IX,
BAF Shaheen English Medium School (SEMS)
2019 has been a sad year as dengue conditions deteriorated in Bangladesh. But, when experts suggested guppy fish as an effective Dengue mosquito preventive measure, I was shocked! Guppies, which are my roommates for many days, living in a small aquarium beside my reading table, can control Dengue!
The Guppy (Poecilia reticulata) is popular among aquarists as they are low maintenance pets with vibrant colors. In nature, they are also available in slow-flowing rivers and other freshwater bodies. Amazingly, they have 23 pairs of chromosomes like humans, but females are bigger than males. Guppy has a small head, elongated shape, and tail that is flag-shaped and a big mouth perfect for eating mosquito larvae. The reproductive rate of these fishes is very high, delivering about 20-60 babies (fries) each month. Instead of being typical egg layers, guppies give live birth, and the fries swim and feed upon delivery. Unfortunately, they face the risk of being eaten by their own parents who prefer to eat fries of their own to prevent overcrowding of their habitat.
