Fin's Fish Guide
The Aral stickleback (Pungitius platygaster) is a brackish-water fish of the family Gasterosteidae that grows up to 6 cm.
Ponto-Caspian region: the fresh and brackish waters around the Black Sea, the Sea of Azov, the Caspian Sea and the Aral Sea, in slow-flowing rivers, pools and lagoons.
Description
The Aral stickleback is a small, slender fish of the family Gasterosteidae reaching about 6 cm. In front of the soft dorsal fin stands a row of separate, short spines, the hallmark of the nine-spined sticklebacks; the grey-brown body is often mottled. The species lives in fresh and brackish water of the Ponto-Caspian region, around the Black Sea, the Sea of Azov, the Caspian Sea and the Aral Sea, in slow-flowing rivers, pools and lagoons. It eats small zooplankton, insect larvae and worms. In the breeding season the male turns dark, defends a territory and builds a nest of plant material, in which it guards the eggs and young. The species tolerates strongly varying salinities.
Frequently asked questions
How do you recognise the Aral stickleback?
The Aral stickleback has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly brown and shows a marbled pattern. Small fish with a row of separate small spines in front of the dorsal fin; in the spawning season the male turns dark and builds a small nest of plant remains.
Where does the Aral stickleback live?
The Aral stickleback lives in brackish water and is mostly found around mixed bottom. Ponto-Caspian region: the fresh and brackish waters around the Black Sea, the Sea of Azov, the Caspian Sea and the Aral Sea, in slow-flowing rivers, pools and lagoons.
How big does the Aral stickleback get?
The Aral stickleback grows to a maximum of about 6 cm.
Is the Aral stickleback dangerous to humans?
No, the Aral stickleback is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.
Is the Aral stickleback edible?
The Aral stickleback is not usually eaten.
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Same genus Pungitius
More from the family Gasterosteidae
Want the complete picture on the Aral stickleback?
Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Aral stickleback is one of 12,519 species in the app.