VALLEY CENTER, Calif. -- The mosquito fish is a little fish with big responsibilities.

"West Nile is a real problem and this is the way for North County to control it," said fish breeder Mariellen Baker.

The mosquito fish's job it to gobble up the potential carriers of the West Nile virus.

"The mosquitoes actually breed in the algae and in the plants," said Baker. "We knew we absolutely needed some mosquito abatement and the county was offering free mosquito fish."

In March, Baker started with ten mosquito fish, including several that were pregnant.

"I'm now calling them saying, 'Please take them. I have hundreds of mosquito fish," said Baker.

It's a good problem to have, as Vector Control is facing a shortage of the fish from its suppliers and said they are thrilled to receive the fish and any other replacements.

"They're getting here; they just haven't been able to get here yet. It's been several weeks unfortunately, but they're here for them. They're waiting," said Baker.

Vector Control is hoping to harvest the fish within a week, but they are dealing with problems closer to the city limits, spraying large bodies of water once a month and dealing with stagnant water problems -- particularly with foreclosures.

"There's a school of them right there, and this is just this little area of the pond; they're all through the pond," said Baker.

Until the fish harvest, they are competing with goldfish and Koi for fish food.