Get to know the sea stickleback

The sea stickleback is long with a thin tail, small mouth and 14-16 spines in front of the dorsal fin. The body is covered by bony plates that make the sea stickleback quite rigid. The sea stickleback is a typical member of the stickleback family.

Multi-coloured

The sea stickleback takes on the colours of its surroundings; for example, if it is brown it lives among brown algae and if it is blue-green, it lives among eel grass. The belly is light in colour.

A brief life

When it is spring the male builds a nest made of seaweed. The female lays her eggs in the nest and dies shortly afterwards. The male guards the nest in the weeks to come. After a couple of weeks, the offspring hatch and the male dies. The sea stickleback only has one brood in its brief life.

Weather fish

The sea stickleback was previously used as a weather fish. The fish was dried and hung on a flax thread in the living area. When humidity rose, the fish became heavier because it absorbed the moisture. When the flax thread stretched longer, it was a warning that rain was soon to come.

Take an excursion

Meet the sea stickleback in both brackish water and salt water. It lives in shallow water in the seaweed belts. It is difficult to see because it camouflages itself.

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