Their name implies that this species of carp originated from Europe, however it is believed to be of Asian decent, brought to Australia from Europe. They are the world's most widely distributed freshwater fish.
Males reach sexual maturity in one year, females in two years.
Gambusia were introduced from Mexico in 1925, and were deliberately released into every major Australian river during WWII to help control mosquito borne diseases such as malaria. Interestingly, they are now endangered in their native homeland, but are flourishing in Australian waters. Gambusia are live bearers, with females giving birth to an average of 80 fully developed young every 28 days. Sexual maturity is reached at only 2 months and females can carry over sperm from previous matings. Introduced to Australian waters in the 1860's as an angling species, Brown Trout continues to be arguably Australia's top freshwater angling species.