Three-spined stickleback (Gasterosteus aculeatus Linnaeus, 1758)

Body fusiform, without scales, covered with bony plates instead. 2 to 4 single spines (anterior rays of 1st dorsal fin) clearly visible at erect dorsal fin. Pelvic fins also spines. Maximum length between 8 and 11cm. Male sticklebacks exhibit intense courtship behavior and change coloration (bright red ventral body) during spawning time. They build a nest from algae and guard it – they even expel female sticklebacks from the nest after eggs have been laid. Complete parental care is exhibited by male fishes.

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