Ten-Spined Stickleback
Pungitius pungitius
A fascinating, nest-building coldwater species native to the Northern Hemisphere, famed for its intricate breeding behaviour and adaptable nature.
Ideal Conditions
- Temperature
- 4 – 20 °C
- pH range
- 6 – 8
- Hardness
- 4 – 20 dGH
- Salinity
- 1 – 1.015 SG
- Adult size
- 5 – 7 cm
- Small biotope tank
- 60 litres+
- Lifespan
- 3 – 5 years
- Diet
- Carnivore
- Water flow
- low-moderate
- Preferred setup
- Heavily planted with fine-leaved aquatic vegetation, gentle filtration.
About the Ten-Spined Stickleback
The ten-spined stickleback, frequently known as the ninespine stickleback across North America, is a diminutive yet characterful fish. Unlike its familiar three-spined cousin, it lacks prominent bony armour plates and instead relies on its array of sharp dorsal spines and a highly secretive nature to evade predators. It is an excellent subject for a native biotope aquarium or a dedicated wildlife pond.
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Where Ten-Spined Stickleback comes from
Native range
Northern Europe, Northern Asia, North America
Countries / regions
United Kingdom, Canada, United States, Russia
Habitat
Densely vegetated margins of slow-flowing rivers, lakes, ponds, ditches, and brackish estuaries.
Possesses a circumpolar Holarctic distribution, adapting to vast ranges of temperate and sub-arctic freshwater.
Similar species
Three-Spined Stickleback
Gasterosteus aculeatus
Brook Stickleback
Culaea inconstans
We’re adding more full species guides as the catalogue grows.
Compatible tank mates
Reviewed guidance based on this species' recorded traits.
- Great
Three-Spined Stickleback
Gasterosteus aculeatus
Shares identical coldwater biotope requirements and has a similar size and temperament.
- Great
Bitterling
Rhodeus amarus
A peaceful coldwater species that will not compete aggressively for bottom territory.
- Great
Ramshorn Snails
Planorbarius corneus
Excellent scavengers that can tolerate the cool temperatures and will ignore the sticklebacks.
- Compatible with caution
White Cloud Mountain Minnow
Tanichthys albonubes
While temperature compatible, active mid-water minnows may outcompete the sticklebacks for food or occasionally suffer nipped fins.
- Not recommended
Common Goldfish
Carassius auratus
Goldfish grow significantly larger and will easily consume small sticklebacks.
- Not recommended
Tropical Community Fish
The warm temperatures required by tropical fish will rapidly compromise the immune system and lifespan of the stickleback.
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