Three-spined Stickleback Gasterosteus aculeatus

The Three-spined Stickleback is a small fish with a distinctive shape - an elongated, thin "wrist" before a tiny tail. Also, as its name indicates, it has 3 small, erectible spines on its back. It has different populations, many living entirely in freshwater (streams, lakes, ponds, even ditches) and some living in coastal salt or brackish water and returning to rivers to breed. There are populations native to much of the northern hemisphere.

It grows to 3-5cm long, but can reach 8cm. In the breeding season, males in particular become more colourful including red undersides and blue eyerings. The fish immediately above were in coastal, marine waters. Stickleback are closely related to Seahorses and Pipefish.

Males build nests for females and guard the eggs and young. Outside of the breeding season, the fish often form shoals.