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Spinachia spinachia (Linnaeus, 1758) Sea stickleback |
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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 | |||