Sea Stickleback

Spinachia spinachia

• Group: Other
• Typical depth: 1–6 m
• Max size: 22 cm
• For divers: safe
• IUCN status: LC

The longest of the sticklebacks, this slim armoured fish lives among weed in shallow coastal water, alone or in pairs. The male builds a nest of algae and debris glued together with secretions from his kidneys, then guards the eggs after the female lays and often dies. It feeds on small invertebrates and rarely exceeds 22 centimetres.

Taxonomy: Animalia › Chordata › Teleostei › Perciformes › Gasterosteidae › Spinachia

Species data via the World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS), AphiaID 126508.