Density estimation and population growth of mosquitofish (Gambusia affinis) in rice fields.

Mark-release-recapture estimation of population density was performed with mosquitofish in a rice field habitat. Regression analysis showed a relationship between absolute density and mean number of fish per trap. Trap counts were converted to density estimates with data from several fields and growth curves were calculated to describe seasonal growth of mosquitofish populations at three different initial stocking rates. The calculated curves showed a good correspondence to field populations of mosquitofish.