mosquitofish; gambusia
Refers to the fish Gambusia affinis, introduced for mosquito control. The name literally means 'mosquito killer'.
Mosquitofish are known for eating mosquito larvae.
They released mosquitofish into the pond to control mosquito breeding.
Katakana spelling is standard for this fish name; usually written in kana.
Kanji spelling is rare and mainly etymological; the fish is almost always written in katakana.
Abbreviated kanji form; very rare in modern use.
From 蚊 “mosquito” and the noun 絶やし “extermination,” derived from 絶やす “to eradicate”; the name reflects the fish’s introduction for mosquito control.