Three-Spined Stickleback
Gasterosteus aculeatus
A fascinating native coldwater fish renowned for the male's complex nest-building behaviour and striking breeding colours.
Ideal Conditions
- Temperature
- 4 – 20 °C
- pH range
- 6.5 – 8
- Hardness
- 8 – 20 dGH
- Adult size
- 4 – 8 cm
- 60 Litres
- 60 litres+
- Lifespan
- 1 – 3 years
- Diet
- Carnivore
- Water flow
- slow
- Preferred setup
- Heavily planted coldwater setup with fine sandy substrate and abundant hiding places.
About the Three-Spined Stickleback
The Three-Spined Stickleback is arguably one of the most studied fish in behavioural ecology. Characterised by the distinct standalone spines on its back, it inhabits varied environments ranging from coastal marine waters to freshwater streams. Highly adaptable and capable of surviving in brackish conditions, it is a staple of native European and North American coldwater aquariums and ponds, where its bold personality can be fully appreciated.
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Where Three-Spined Stickleback comes from
Native range
Europe, North America, Northern Asia
Countries / regions
United Kingdom, Canada, United States, Japan, France, Germany
Habitat
Coastal estuaries, shallow streams, agricultural ditches, ponds, and the vegetated margins of large lakes.
A highly adaptable euryhaline species found across almost the entire Holarctic region.
Similar species
Nine-Spined Stickleback
Pungitius pungitius
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
Common Minnow
Phoxinus phoxinus
A similarly sized, robust native coldwater fish that occupies different areas of the tank and thrives in identical conditions.
- Great
European Bitterling
Rhodeus amarus
Peaceful coldwater species that tolerates similar temperatures and has its own unique reproductive strategies, minimising competition.
- Compatible with caution
White Cloud Mountain Minnow
Tanichthys albonubes
Although they share similar temperature requirements, White Clouds are small and could be harassed by a breeding stickleback male.
- Not recommended
Fancy Goldfish
Carassius auratus
Sticklebacks are known fin-nippers and will readily target the long, flowing fins of slow-moving fancy goldfish.
- Not recommended
Larger Predatory Fish
Species like perch or small pike will view sticklebacks as prey, despite their defensive spines.
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