Hillsborough County, Fla. (July 14, 2026) - Hillsborough County Mosquito Management Services is hosting a mosquitofish giveaway in South Tampa this Saturday at the Jan Kaminis Platt Regional Library.

There are two remaining events this summer.

Jan Kaminis Platt Regional Library - 3910 S. Manhattan Ave., Tampa, FL 33611, July 18, 8 a.m. to noon

Northdale Park & Recreation Center - 15510 Hooting Owls Pl., Tampa, FL 33624, Aug. 15, 8 a.m. to noon.

Already this summer, more than 500 Hillsborough residents have taken mosquitofish home to put in their ponds and other intentional standing water features to eat mosquito larvae.

Most of the mosquitofish given away at these events were raised in custom-built aquaculture tanks at Mosquito Management Services to help ensure that they can continue providing healthy fish for residents.

During the events, Hillsborough families also can join the Mosquito Management team at the mobile education lab, which helps residents better understand mosquito behavior so they can fight mosquito populations in their own backyard.

Things to know about the event

  • To receive fish, you must present a valid photo ID showing you live in Hillsborough County.
  • Staff will scan or enter your ID information into the County's mosquito database. After that step is completed, you can go inside the mobile education lab to learn more about mosquitoes or to the next station to receive your mosquitofish.
  • There are limited quantities. Mosquitofish are available while supplies last.

Mosquitofish facts

  • Mosquitofish are small, native freshwater fish that primarily eat mosquito larvae and pupae.
  • Place fish in standing water such as backyard ponds, water gardens, rain barrels, animal troughs, and unused swimming pools to effectively and naturally manage mosquito populations.
  • They require no feeding, and care is limited to protecting them from garden sprays, chlorine, or other chemicals used for cleaning.
  • Mosquitofish do not lay eggs and require no special environment for breeding.
  • Mosquitofish reproduce quickly once introduced into an applicable habitat, capable of sustaining themselves in the desired environment if conditions are ideal.

For more information about Hillsborough County's Mosquito Management program, visit HCFL.gov/Mosquito.

Who: Hillsborough County Mosquito Management Services
What: Mosquitofish Giveaway
Where: Jan Kaminis Platt Regional Library, 3910 S. Manhattan Ave., Tampa, FL 33611
When: 8 a.m. to noon Saturday, July 18