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Amur ninespine stickleback (Pungitius sinensis) — Gasterosteidae

Amur ninespine stickleback

Pungitius sinensis
VU · Vulnerable

The Amur ninespine stickleback (Pungitius sinensis) is a fish that lives in both fresh and salt water of the family Gasterosteidae that grows up to 7 cm.

Length
6.5 cm
Water
Euryhaline
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
East Asia; fresh and brackish waters.
Edibility
Not eaten

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Description

The Chinese ninespine stickleback is a small stickleback (Gasterosteidae) from East Asia. The species is small and has a row of free spines before the dorsal fin and a slender body. It inhabits fresh and brackish waters, from ditches and ponds to coastal waters. In the breeding season the male builds a tunnel-shaped nest of plant material that it guards and defends. It feeds on small zooplankton and small invertebrates. It is small and harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Amur ninespine stickleback?

The Amur ninespine stickleback has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a spots pattern. Row of separate dorsal spines; the male builds and guards a tunnel-shaped plant nest.

Where does the Amur ninespine stickleback live?

The Amur ninespine stickleback lives in both fresh and salt water and is mostly found around mixed bottom. East Asia; fresh and brackish waters.

How big does the Amur ninespine stickleback get?

The Amur ninespine stickleback grows to a maximum of about 7 cm.

Is the Amur ninespine stickleback dangerous to humans?

No, the Amur ninespine stickleback is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.

Is the Amur ninespine stickleback edible?

The Amur ninespine stickleback is not usually eaten.

More photos

Amur ninespine stickleback (Pungitius sinensis) — Gasterosteidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) Yinglun Li, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Amur ninespine stickleback (Pungitius sinensis) — Gasterosteidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) Amaël Borzée, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))

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All data

Identification

English name
Amur ninespine stickleback verified
Scientific name
Pungitius sinensis
Family
Gasterosteidae
Other names
Amur nine-spined stickleback; Amur stickleback; Chinese stickleback; Ninespined stickleback verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
6.5 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey
Pattern
Spots
Tail shape
Straight
Mouth position
Superior (upward)
Lips
Thin
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
Two separate
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Euryhaline sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Natural range
East Asia; fresh and brackish waters.
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Small zooplankton and small invertebrates sourced
Social behaviour
Small groups
Territorial
No
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known.
Special features
Row of separate dorsal spines; the male builds and guards a tunnel-shaped plant nest. sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Not a target species for angling; at most an incidental catch or usable as baitfish.
Regulations source

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced
First aid
None required: this species is harmless to humans. sourced

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Pungitius

More from the family Gasterosteidae

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