Gasterosteus aculeatus aculeatus Linnaeus, 1758

Three-spined stickleback

Catalog of Fishes (gen., sp.) | ITIS | CoL

Classification	Actinopterygii \| Gasterosteiformes \| Gasterosteidae
Synonyms	Gasterosteus aculeatus, Gasteracanthus cataphractus, Gasterosteus aculeatus messinicus, ... more
Common names	Épinoche à trois épines, Espinoso, Jacksharp, ... more

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Aquamaps of Gasterosteus aculeatus aculeatus

AquaMaps Data sources: GBIF OBIS

Main reference

Banister, K. 1986. (Ref. 4119)
Other references | Biblio | Coordinator | Collaborators

Size / Weight / Age

Max length : 11.0 cm TL male/unsexed; (Ref. 35388); common length : 5.1 cm TL male/unsexed; (Ref. 1998); max. reported age: 8 years (Ref. 72489)

Environment

Benthopelagic; anadromous (Ref. 51243); freshwater; brackish; marine; depth range 0 - 100 m (Ref. 50550)

Climate / Range

Temperate; 4°C - 20°C (Ref. 1672); 71°N - 26°N, 117°E - 60°E

Circumpolar in Arctic and temperate regions, extending south to the Black Sea, southern Italy, Iberian Peninsula, North Africa; in Eastern Asia north of Japan (35°N), in North America north of 30-32°N; Greenland.
Countries | FAO areas | Ecosystems | Occurrences | Introductions

Short description

Dorsal spines (total): 2 - 4; Dorsal soft rays (total): 10 - 14; Anal spines: 1; Anal soft rays: 8 - 10; Vertebrae: 29 - 33. Identified by the 3 to 4 sharp, free spines before the dorsal fin, the pelvic fin reduced to a sharp spine and a small ray, and the series of plates along the sides of the body (Ref. 27547). Gill rakers long and slender, 17 to 25 on the first arch or strictly freshwater forms, 1 or 2 more in anadromous forms; lateral line with microscopic pores (Ref. 27547). The anadromous form is fully plated, with up to 37 plates on the sides and a rather pronounced keel on each side of the caudal peduncle (Ref. 27547). Dorsal spines separated from each other and from the soft-rayed fins, each spine having a reduced membrane attached to its posterior side; anal spine free from rest of the fin; posterior margin of pectorals nearly truncate; caudal truncate to slightly indented (Ref. 27547). Freshwater forms usually mottled brown or greenish; anadromous forms silvery green to bluish black (Ref. 27547). A few isolated populations are black (Ref. 27547). Sides usually pale; belly yellow, white or silvery (Ref. 27547). Fins pale; pectoral rays often have dark dots (Ref. 27547). Breeding males (except for black forms) become brilliant bluish or green with blue or green eyes, and the forward part of the body, especially the breast region, turns bright red or orange (Ref. 27547). Caudal fin with 12 rays (Ref. 2196).

Occurs in fresh waters, estuaries and coastal seas (Ref. 4119). In the sea, confined to coastal waters. Inhabits shallow vegetated areas, usually over mud or sand (Ref. 5723). Forms schools. Young associated with drifting seaweed (Ref. 12114, 12115). Feeds on worms, crustaceans, larvae and adult aquatic insects, drowned aerial insects, and small fishes; has also been reported to feed on their own fry and eggs (Ref. 1998). Anadromous and nerito-pelagic (Ref. 58426). Eggs are found in nests constructed from plant material (Ref. 41678). Maximum length in freshwater is 8 cm while in saltwater is 11 cm (Ref. 35388). Occasionally taken commercially in Scandinavia and processed into fishmeal and oil (Ref. 28219, 28964). Commonly used as a laboratory animal (Ref. 1998). A large bibliography is available at www.geocities.com/CapeCanaveral/Hall/1345/stickbibl.html.


IUCN Red List Status (Ref. 57073)	Threat to humans
Least Concern (LC)	Harmless

Human uses
Fisheries: minor commercial


More information
Countries FAO areas Ecosystems Occurrences Introductions Ecology Diet Food items Food consumption Ration	Common names Synonyms Metabolism Predators Ecotoxicology Reproduction Maturity Spawning Eggs Egg development	Age/Size Growth Length-weight Length-length Length-frequencies Morphometrics Morphology Larvae Larval dynamics Recruitment	Other references Biblio Aquaculture Aquaculture profile Strains Genetics Allele frequencies Heritability Diseases Processing	Collaborators Pictures Stamps Sounds Ciguatera Speed Swim. type Gill area Otoliths Brains Vision

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Internet sources

Estimation of some characteristics with mathematical models

Resilience (Ref. 69278)

High, minimum population doubling time less than 15 months (K=0.6-1.8; tm=1; tmax=4; Fec=80)


Vulnerability (Ref. 59153)	Price category (Ref. 80766)
Low vulnerability (10 of 100)	Not marketed/unknown

Entered by Luna, Susan M.

Modified by Ortañez, Auda Kareen

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