Water life · Gasterosteus aculeatus
Discover the three-spined stickleback
A little fish darts among plants. Its nest stays a secret underwater.
The short answer
The three-spined stickleback is a small fish, usually with three separate dorsal spines. Many males develop red bellies during breeding. Males build nests and care for eggs.
An imagined Wusel scene
Puschel and Flauschi investigate
A silvery flash crosses the water. Puschel starts counting but loses sight of the fish behind a leaf. Puschel“My eyes may need a slower pace.”
Flauschi stays beside him and explains the underwater nest-builder. Puschel leaves his little stick on the path. They will not poke about in the pond.
When the fish appears again they both smile. Puschel“It gave us a second viewing minute,” says Puschel.
Discover
The three-spined stickleback is a small fish, usually with three separate dorsal spines before its dorsal fin.
Understand
It eats small aquatic animals. During breeding, many males develop a red throat and belly.
Connections
The male builds a nest from plant material and guards the eggs laid inside.
Little Wusel quiz
Who builds and guards the stickleback nest?
Show answer
The male builds the nest and guards the eggs.
Explore in more detail
Here you will find longer explanations and further details. You can explore them together.
Understand step by step
How it works – simply explained
A small aquatic hunter
Sticklebacks eat small water animals. Separate dorsal spines lie before the soft fin; they are not one continuous fin edge.
A nest is built
A male gathers plant material to make a nest where eggs are laid. A fish nest is not a bird nest above water.
The father stays involved
The male guards the eggs. Its role continues after building. Observe without searching plants for nests.
References for this explanation: [1]
Explore animal sounds
We currently have no freely reusable recording reliably identified as this animal. That does not mean it is completely silent. Explore it in the picture and observe animals outdoors from a distance without touching or disturbing them.
More about this animal: The Wildlife Trusts: Three-spined stickleback