Spinachia spinachia (Linnaeus, 1758)
Sea stickleback
Spinachia spinachia
photo by JJPhoto

Family:  Gasterosteidae (Sticklebacks and tubesnouts)
Max. size:  22 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  benthopelagic; brackish; marine; depth range 1 - 6 m, non-migratory
Distribution:  Northeast Atlantic: north-western Europe.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 14-17. Front of body brassy-yellow in the male, with larger pectoral fins than in the female (Ref. 35388).
Biology:  Adults live solitary or in pairs in weedy, shallow coastal areas (Ref. 4119). Feed on small invertebrates (Ref. 4119). Males build a nest from algae and debris, using kidney excrete as glue. Spawning season is May to June. Females deposit 150 - 200 eggs in the nest and often die shortly afterwards (Ref. 9900). Males care for and defend the nest. Offsprings reach maturity in one year (Ref. 4645).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 28 January 2013 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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