Three-spined Stickleback

Gasterosteus aculeatus

Also known as: Barnstickle, Barnystickle, Burnstickle, Common Stickleback, Cushy, Doctor, Eastern Stickleback, European Stickleback, Jacksharp, New York Stickleback, Pinfish, Prickly, Prickly Back, Saw-finned Stickleback, Spanicle, Spannistickle, Spanny, Spawn, Spawnticle, Thornback, Threespine Stickleback, Tiddler, Twospine Stickleback

ALSO KNOWN AS

Barnstickle
Barnystickle
Burnstickle
Common Stickleback
Cushy
Doctor
Eastern Stickleback
European Stickleback
Jacksharp
New York Stickleback
Pinfish
Prickly
Prickly Back
Saw-finned Stickleback
Spanicle
Spannistickle
Spanny
Spawn
Spawnticle
Thornback
Threespine Stickleback
Tiddler
Twospine Stickleback

LCLeast ConcernIUCN Red List, 2024

Add a photo

Three-spined Stickleback adult, photographed at Brighton, United Kingdom — @Sarafishfish · Brighton, United Kingdom · June 20151 / 2

Overview

Found in schools, over mud and sand bottoms, in both freshwater and marine habitats, over shallow to very deep estuaries, coastal shorelines, lakes, rivers and streams rich in vegetation.
Juveniles found with drifting seaweeds.

These fish are related to Pipefishes and Seahorses as they have no scales and some have bony armour plates. The males also guard their nest!

How to identify

COLOURS

Pattern: blotches
Behaviour: schooling

Tap any trait to see other fish that share it.

Habitat & where to find it

Range · Worldwide
Country only · 2

LIVES IN

freshwater

Found in schools, over mud and sand bottoms, in both freshwater and marine habitats, over shallow to very deep estuaries, coastal shorelines, lakes, rivers and streams rich in vegetation.

RANGE