Sticklebacks

13 species · 4 families

Sticklebacks are small, tough fish of fresh, brackish and coastal water, recognised by the separate, sharp spines in front of the dorsal fin. The well-known three-spined stickleback carries three and shows a bright red belly in the breeding season. Males build a real nest of plant material and fiercely guard the eggs and young. Despite their size they are feisty, territorial fighters. They have become famous as a model species in behavioural and evolutionary research.

Open Fin's Fish Guide

Identify fish in seconds, log your catches and dives. Free open beta.

Get the app →

Amur ninespine stickleback

Pungitius sinensis

Gasterosteidae

Aral stickleback

Pungitius platygaster

Gasterosteidae

Armoured stickleback

Indostomus paradoxus

Indostomidae

Banstickle

Gasterosteus aculeatus

Gasterosteidae

Barnstickle

Pungitius pungitius

Gasterosteidae

Barnstickle

Apeltes quadracus

Gasterosteidae

Barnstickle

Gasterosteus wheatlandi

Gasterosteidae

Brook stickleback

Culaea inconstans

Gasterosteidae

Fifteen-spine stickleback

Spinachia spinachia

Gasterosteidae

Korean sandlance

Hypoptychus dybowskii

Hypoptychidae

Sakhalin ninespine stickleback

Pungitius tymensis

Gasterosteidae

Smallhead stickleback

Gasterosteus microcephalus

Gasterosteidae

Tube-snout

Aulorhynchus flavidus

Aulorhynchidae