Rivers, lakes and oceans are inhabited by thousands of different kinds of creatures, including fish.Many have heard of the stickleback.This tiny fish, having a very decent appetite, can translate into all other types of water bodies.It eats up huge amounts of eggs and even fry.This is a very interesting creation, has an unusual appearance and behavior.
What kind of fish - stickleback?
united under the name of a whole family of ray-finned fish.It includes five genera and about eight species.All representatives have thorns, located in front of the dorsal fin.The scales of these fish is completely absent.Ventral fin is not at all and can be represented by one thorn and one or two soft rays.In case of danger or predator attack stickleback rastopyrivat all their spikes and they stick into it.
Fish likes places with a low flow, muddy bottoms and banks, overgrown with grass.Basically all kinds of movable hold large flocks.It is sometimes difficult to fishing, because at the slightest movement of the whole herd rushes on objects dropped into the water.
Habitats
Stickleback - fish, adapted to different habitats.They can be marine, brackish and freshwater.For small stickleback lives in brackish areas of the Azov, Black and Caspian Seas, the lower reaches of the Dnieper River and several other rivers that flow into them.Three-spined and the nine-species are found almost all over Europe.In Russia, it can be seen in the rivers flowing into the White Sea and the Baltic Sea and in the lakes of the Leningrad Region.Sea stickleback - coastal fish.It is found in Western Europe on the rocky shores of Biscay and Gulf of Finland, in the northern part of Norway and in the Baltic Sea.
Reproduction
Stickleback spawn in early spring (April-May), and this time her painting becomes more vibrant hues.Spawning lasts for a month, while the nine-- until the end of July.This is a fairly prolific fish.Stickleback builds a nest on the bottom, is engaged in this male.Initially, he pulls out a hole, picking up the sand into his mouth and gently attributing it to one side.Next, bring the different pieces of grass and algae, and with the help of the mucus secreted by the sides of the body, all sticks together into a tight ball, which breaks through the tunnel.In finished form at the three-spined stickleback nest almost buried in the mud (see photo), while nine-- is attached to the plant, which is drained of color.The size of the average home in a man's fist.
In jack female invites the male, where she lays eggs (100-120 pcs.), And then partner it "kicks."After fertilization, he guards the nest, and then fry for 10-14 days.Stickleback - the fish, the offspring of which is constantly under threat from their own parents.First, the female is quite capable of eating the eggs and then the male guard after a few fry can swallow.It is noteworthy that at the time of spawning esophagus had overgrown.
three-spined stickleback fish
It received its name because of thorns placed on his back, all three of them (seen in photo).Spikes of different sizes.On the sides of the body are arranged bone plates (24-30 pieces), they are, in fact, replace the scales.They can also be seen on the back, where they are located to the caudal fin on the back of the head.The size of adult fish of 5-6 cm in length.Sides and belly are silver color and the back greenish-brown.There are two species of fish: freshwater and anadromous.Most species of the first type die after spawning.
Despite its small size, stickleback - an extremely voracious fish.In ponds where she lives, it is difficult to separate any other kind.Ration sticklebacks have quite diverse - from zooplankton and phytoplankton to benthos (crustaceans, larvae and worms).In addition, the fish eats aerial insects, larvae, eggs, and even fry other underwater inhabitants.As already mentioned, the course can go even their own offspring.
economic importance
Earlier this little hunted fish in the Baltic, White and Azov Seas, as well as on the Kamchatka Peninsula.From this was obtained fish oil and flour fodder quality.Furthermore, sticklebacks used as animal feed and as fertilizer for fields.In besieged Leningrad carotenoid-rich fish oil was used in hospitals for the treatment of wounds and burns treatment.
Currently stickleback - the fish, the economic value of which is very low.She eats everything, thus exerting a negative impact on the offspring of valuable commercial species.
Small stickleback southern
saltwater or freshwater benthic species reaches 6 cm in length.This fish is widespread in Asia, Europe, it is an isolated population in Greece - the pool and the Vardar river Aliakmonas.Keeps stickleback, usually in areas of oblong rich vegetation.The body of fish high and compressed at the sides.Color - brown-green, and the belly - silvery, sometimes with a yellowish tint.As the body stripes and spots are scattered, creating the impression of a marble pattern.
nine-spined stickleback
view is not much larger than the previous (length - body 5-7 cm).No matter what size of adult fish stickleback, commercial and economic importance it has.This species has flattened sides and elongated body and large eyes (in the photo).The back may have a gray-green color until the brown color, the belly - light silver.Color changes in the males during the spawning season.The belly and flanks are black, and the thorns - white.This migratory species, distributed in the Atlantic, Arctic and Pacific oceans, the Great Lakes Basin.
If we talk about what is afraid of stickleback fish, it is worth mentioning freshwater (perch, pike, perch, catfish, eel, chub) and sea (herring, sprat, gobies, and so on. D.) Predators.Also, they can eat snakes, swamp turtles, frogs, birds of prey and some mammals.Everything depends on the habitat.
Sea stickleback
second title - pyatnadtsatiiglaya.It is characterized by the presence on the back of 14 to 16 small spines.The body of fish has a slender, spindle-shaped, with a thin and long caudal peduncle.Back differ greenish-brown color, and the sides - golden.Of interest is the color of the males during the spawning season - they are blue.Reaches adult size up to 20 cm in length.The behavior of a separate - are not going to schools, unlike other species.
brook stickleback
Distributed in small rivers and lakes north of the United States.Before dorsal fin has 4 to 6 (usually 5) spikes.The length grows up to 6 cm. This is a fairly active and abundant species.The males in the mating season change everyday color to bright red.The rest of the habits and a distinctive way of behaving with the offspring are the same as three-spined stickleback and.
Monument stickleback
whole sculpture is located in Kronstadt.The monument was raised in 2005.A small monument presents to the metal wave and three small fish attached to them.Next on the plaque you can see the lines of the poem "Blockade stickleback" poetess M. Aminova.
Therefore, the question of whether there is such a fish - stickleback, each resident Peter will answer you in the affirmative.Maybe even give good recipe of its preparation.Small fish in a terrible siege saved many thousands of lives.
