| Family: |
Gasterosteidae (Sticklebacks and tubesnouts) |
| Max. size: |
8 cm SL (male/unsexed) |
| Environment: |
benthopelagic; freshwater; brackish; marine |
| Distribution: |
Euorope: coastal areas of western Europe from Netherlands to the Garonne drainage (France), Ireland and southern Great Britain. |
| Diagnosis: |
Dorsal spines (total): 9-9. This species is redescribed and is distinguished from congeners by the absence of keel as the only diagnostic character; with lower number of dorsal spines 9 (vs. 10 in P. pungitius); head rounded with a concave snout (specimens longer than 35 mm SL) accentuating the impression of fleshy lips; dorsal spines 8-9; anal soft rays 7-11; scutes on the caudal peduncle 0-4; pectoral-fin rays 10-11. Colouration: body generally bright green with dark tints, covered by blackish blotches, which are absent on the pectoral and abdominal regions (Ref. 125067). |
| Biology: |
Adults inhabit shallow still water with dense vegetation. Feed predominantly on zooplankton, small crustaceans and benthic insects. Spawn for the first time at 1 year of age. Spawning takes place in April-June (Ref. 59043). Males build, guard and aerate the nest where the eggs are deposited (Ref. 205). |
| IUCN Red List Status: |
Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 01 January 2008 Ref. (130435)
|
| Threat to humans: |
harmless |
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