Fin's Fish Guide
The Fifteen-spine stickleback (Spinachia spinachia) is a saltwater fish of the family Gasterosteidae that grows up to 22 cm.
Northeast Atlantic coast, including the North Sea and the western Baltic Sea, among seagrass and seaweeds in shallow coastal water.
Description
The sea stickleback is a very slender, elongate marine fish of the family Gasterosteidae reaching about 22 cm, the longest of the sticklebacks. The thread-like body has a long, pointed snout and bears fourteen to seventeen short, separate spines before the actual dorsal fin; the tail base is strikingly thin. The species lives among seagrass and weeds in shallow coastal water of the north-eastern Atlantic coast, the North Sea and the western Baltic. It hunts small crustaceans, fish larvae and zooplankton. Like the other sticklebacks the male builds a nest, here of weed strands glued together with a kidney secretion, and guards the eggs and young. Because of its small size it has no fishery importance.
Frequently asked questions
How do you recognise the Fifteen-spine stickleback?
The Fifteen-spine stickleback has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly brown and shows a plain pattern. Very slender, elongated small fish with a long snout and fourteen to seventeen short, separate spines in front of the dorsal fin; the longest stickleback.
Where does the Fifteen-spine stickleback live?
The Fifteen-spine stickleback lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around mixed bottom. Northeast Atlantic coast, including the North Sea and the western Baltic Sea, among seagrass and seaweeds in shallow coastal water.
How big does the Fifteen-spine stickleback get?
The Fifteen-spine stickleback grows to a maximum of about 22 cm.
Is the Fifteen-spine stickleback dangerous to humans?
No, the Fifteen-spine stickleback is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.
Is the Fifteen-spine stickleback edible?
The Fifteen-spine stickleback is not usually eaten.
More photos
Easily confused with
These species look like the Fifteen-spine stickleback and live in the same waters.
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More from the family Gasterosteidae
Want the complete picture on the Fifteen-spine stickleback?
Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Fifteen-spine stickleback is one of 12,519 species in the app.