News

Coimbatore Corporation Intensifies Gambusia Fish Release in Wells

SimpliCity News Team · 01 Sept 2026

Coimbatore: The Coimbatore Corporation has intensified its efforts to release Gambusia fish, which feed on mosquito larvae, in wells and water bodies across the city. This initiative is part of the ongoing malaria and dengue mosquito eradication programme being undertaken by the civic body.

Under the orders of Corporation Commissioner Katta Ravi Teja IAS, a team of 1,200 mosquito control workers led by City Health Officer Dr. Subash Gandhi has been deployed for this task. Mosquito control operations are being conducted ward-wise across all 100 wards under the five zones of the corporation.

In the first phase, areas with high mosquito larvae breeding were identified across 20 wards in the West Zone today (01.09.2026), and Gambusia fish were released in over 20 wells and other water bodies. The initiative was carried out by corporation sanitary workers and mosquito control personnel based on fever surveillance and mosquito larvae survey data.

Gambusia fish that eliminate malaria and dengue mosquitoes are being bred in tanks set up at the District Health Office and Kalveerampalayam Urban Primary Health Centre premises. Male fish are smaller while female fish are larger. The fish are released in the ratio of 2 males to 8 females per well.

An adult Gambusia fish can consume between 100 to 300 mosquito larvae per day. The lifespan of these fish is one year. The corporation has issued instructions not to apply bleaching powder or oil in wells and water bodies where fish have been released.

Daily health camps are conducted at an average of 33 locations across corporation areas, and intensive preventive measures are taken in areas where fever and infectious diseases are detected. A total of 10,000 Gambusia fish are to be released in water bodies across the city. For this purpose, the fish have been separated and kept in small plastic containers at the corporation.

A special team comprising 1,200 mosquito control workers, 60 sanitary inspectors, 5 zonal health officers, and 21 sanitation supervisors has been engaged in this operation, according to corporation officials.

coimbatore corporation mosquito control gambusia fish dengue prevention malaria prevention public health katta ravi teja west zone larvivorous fish vector control

Coimbatore Corporation Intensifies Gambusia Fish Release in Wells

Related stories