The Sea Stickleback, Fifteen-spined Stickleback – Spinachia spinachia is a small, slender fish that is found in coastal waters of the northeastern Atlantic Ocean. It is easily recognizable by its elongated, cylindrical body, its long, pointed snout, and its fifteen spines on its dorsal fin. This fish is a common sight in the intertidal and tidal zones, making it a fascinating subject for marine enthusiasts.
Description and Characteristics
The Sea Stickleback, Fifteen-spined Stickleback – Spinachia spinachia, is a small fish, with a maximum size of 22.0 cm. Its slender body is characterized by a long, pointed snout and a dorsal fin with fifteen spines. The fish typically exhibits a greenish-brown color, with a lighter underside, allowing it to effectively camouflage itself amidst the marine flora and fauna of its habitat.
Habitat and Occurrence
The Sea Stickleback, Fifteen-spined Stickleback – Spinachia spinachia, prefers coastal waters with a depth range of 1.0 to 6.0 meters. It is particularly abundant in the intertidal and tidal zones. This preference for these zones makes it a common sight in rocky shores, seagrass meadows, and kelp forests, all of which offer suitable shelter and ample food sources. The species’ presence in these marine zones highlights its ecological importance in maintaining the delicate balance of these coastal ecosystems.
Taxonomy
The Sea Stickleback, Fifteen-spined Stickleback – Spinachia spinachia, belongs to the family Gasterosteidae, a family of small, spiny-finned fish. The family Gasterosteidae falls under the Order Perciformes, which encompasses a wide diversity of fish species, and the Class Teleostei, which includes the majority of bony fishes.
Feeding
The Sea Stickleback, Fifteen-spined Stickleback – Spinachia spinachia, is a carnivore and primarily feeds on small crustaceans, including brine shrimps, copepods, isopods, and krill. It also consumes invertebrates found in its habitat. Its feeding habits contribute to the ecological balance of its coastal habitat by controlling the populations of its prey species.
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