Three-spined stickleback
Gasterosteus aculeatus
The three-spined stickleback is a small fish found in most European countries. It occurs in two environmental forms: marine and freshwater. This predatory species feeds mainly on insect larvae and fry. During the breeding season, males display two distinctive features that make them easy to identify: a bright crimson-red belly and three sharp spines on their back. Due to its remarkable diversity and adaptability, the species is widely studied and highly valued by scientists. Males build nests in shallow coastal waters that are still or have only a weak current. The stickleback is not a demanding species, so it can also be found in waters with lower water quality. It often remains motionless in midwater, resembling a small stick or piece of wood when viewed from above.
Minimum size: 5 cm
Protection from: January
Protection to: December
