Threespine Stickleback
From Microcosm Aquarium Explorer
A widespread little fish in Arctic and temperate waters. Ellen Edmonson/Cornell University/NY Dept of Envir Conservation
[edit] Overview
Spread globally around the northern hemisphere in freshwater lakes and rivers, this species is also found in brackish estuaries and full saltwater.
Curiously, the marine Three-spined Stickleback grows larger (to 11 cm) and is heavily armored, while freshwater specimens are generally smaller (to 8 cm) and less body plating. See Reverse Evolution in Fish.
Family: Gasterosteidae
Other common name(s):
Native range:
Habitat: A bottom dweller along sandy or muddy shorelines with aquatic vegetation.
Maximum length: 11 cm (4 in)
Minimum aquarium size: 38 L (10 gal)
Water: Freshwater 4 °C (277 K, 39 °F) - 20 °C (293 K, 68 °F)
General swimming level: Bottom.
[edit] Feeding
Carnivore. Feeds on zooplankton, worms, crustaceans, insects, smaller fishes.
[edit] Special Care
Must be kept in cooler waters, requiring the use of a chiller in most homes.
[edit] Breeding/Propagation
Male sticklebacks use plant materials and a sticky substance from their own bodies to create nests with both an entrance hole and separate exit. When guarding eggs, the male becomes very aggressive in driving away potential predators.
Breeding colors of the males can be brilliant blue or green with a red or orange breast.
| Common name | Threespine Stickleback + |
| Family | Gasterosteidae + |
| Genus | Gasterosteus + |
| Maximum length | 4 in + |
| Minimum aquarium size | 10 gal + |
| Native range | Northern Hemisphere +, and North America + |
| Specific name | aculeatus + |
| Swimming level | Bottom. + |
| Text credit | JL + |
| Water max temp | 293 K (20 °C, 68 °F) + |
| Water min temp | 277 K (4 °C, 39 °F) + |
| Water type | Freshwater + |