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Looks
Sticklebacks are small fish only a few inches
long, with spiky fins running down their back. Interestingly, Sticklebacks have
no scales. Some species, however, have armour plates to protect them. Three-spined
Stickleback females are light blue-green with a pale pinkish underbelly, and
the males of this species are the same, but with a silver belly instead of pink.
Habitat
These little fish live mostly in the ocean.
Some also make their homes in freshwater lakes. Long ago, after the ice age, glaciers
and ice melted, allowing the Sticklebacks to make homes in the freshwater lakes
and streams. In there, the predators were faster but not as strong, so the
freshwater Sticklebacks evolved to suit their new territory’s needs. The
freshwater species have no spines or armour plating, and are faster and more
agile than their cousins in the sea.
The
ocean Sticklebacks live only in the Northern Hemisphere, prefering coastal,
slow-flowing water with marshes and bays.
Feeding
Sticklebacks’
diets consist of small crustaceans and the lavae of fish.
Breeding
(Three-spined
Stickleback—other species have a similar way of breeding)
First,
the male fish creates a bird-like nest out of vegetation. Then he attracts a
female and invites her inside. The female Stickleback will lay a clutch of
about 100-150 eggs. Afterwards, the male guards the nest, driving away other
males and protecting the eggs until they hatch.
Lifespan
(Three-spined)
These
small fish live for about 3 years.
