Sticklebacks get their name from the row of sharp spines that form part of the dorsal fins on their backs. These spines can be raised and locked in place to avoid predation. It is worth noting that Hebridean forms have no spines and mature at 3cm long.
These fish are slightly unusual in that they build nests and it is the male fish that build and protect the nests. The nests are flat and built on the bottom out of fragments of weed and glued together with special kidney secretions.
Three spined stickleback males have a bright red throat and blue eyes which they use to attract females. They court females and lead them to the nest by performing a complicated zig zag dance – the females will select the flashiest male! Once at the nest the males point to the entrance with the tip of his snout, enticing the female to burrow and release her eggs. The male fertilises them and is left in charge of all parental care. The male may then try to court other females, amassing several clutches, each of 200-300 eggs over the course of a few hours.
The males takes over all parental care and will actively fan the eggs with his fins, driving a current of fresh water through the nest until they hatch 1-3 weeks later. After they hatch the young fry are susceptible to predation so the male continues to defend the nest for another week or so until the young fish are able to fend for themselves.
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