Read the article with FishingTheSpot: the spined stickleback
Keep an eye on this subject!
Thousands of species spotlights and techniques but also all the local information about your city!
Meet other anglers near you and share your fishing fishing trips, afoot or on a boat, at sea or in freshwater
See the fishing tripsThe Spined Stickleback
All year
4 cm
Did you fish
this species this month?
The Spined Stickleback belongs to the Gasterosteidae family. Females are larger than males, measuring 4 to 5 cm and males 3.5 to 4 cm. Its longevity varies from 3 to 5 years. The spined stickleback breeds from March to July to June depending on the region. Fertility is 100 to 400 eggs. It can be fished all year round.
The spined stickleback is a small fish whose body is elongated and laterally compressed. Along the lateral line, the body is not covered with scales but with bone plates (badges). The caudal peduncle is very narrow. Three isolated spines are present on the back in front of the dorsal fin. The muzzle is pointed and has a terminal mouth. Pelvic fins are also replaced by two thorns. Its back is greenish brown with black on the back, the sides are silvery grey below the lateral line and the ventral side is whitish. The male's silvery coat turns a bright red color at the time of reproduction.
The Spined Stickleback lifestyle
The spined stickleback is very voracious and feeds on worms, crustaceans, larvae and adults of aquatic insects, eggs and small fish. In fact, of all the possible small animals including, on occasion, eggs and fry of its own species. In particular, females that do not participate in egg laying have been observed to form cannibal groups attacking eggs in nests. Under this pressure, males no longer have the opportunity to leave their nests to feed and are forced not to starve to eat part of their own eggs.
During reproduction, the male can be recognized by the red color of his belly. The breeding period is generally from March to July. The behavior of the spined stickleback is quite particular during reproduction. Indeed, the male will make a nest with aquatic plants that will be fixed between them by a substance coming from his kidneys. Then, he will attract the female by making a parry with his red belly. Once seduced by the male, the female will lay eggs in the nest. The male will then fertilize the hundreds of eggs and monitor them to protect them from predators during the incubation period, which lasts between 4 and 10 days. The Spined Stickleback usually occurs twice a year.
The Spined Stickleback habitat
The Spined Stickleback are found in shallow lake or river waters. It prefers habitats where aquatic vegetation is present. It tolerates brackish water from estuaries and can be found in salt water.
This fish is widespread in Europe, in coastal and inland waters. Its success in its expansion can be explained by the eurythermal or euryhaline behavior of individuals.
The Spined Stickleback angling
The spined stickleback being a small fish, it is necessary to use small hooks and small bait. It can be fished all year round.
