Fourspine stickleback (Apeltes quadracus) fish species and information / pictures of Fourspine stickleback - Apeltes quadracus

Fourspine stickleback (Apeltes quadracus) fish species information

Scientific Name
Apeltes quadracus

Common Name
Fourspine stickleback

Biology
Adults occur mainly along weedy bays and backwaters, entering brackish water and to a limited extent, fresh water (Ref. 3814). Males build, guard and aerate the nest where the eggs are deposited (Ref. 205).

Classification

Classified By
Mitchill, 1815
Class
Ray-finned fishes (Actinopterygii)
Order
Sticklebacks and Seamoths (Gasterosteiformes)
Family
Sticklebacks and tubesnouts (Gasterosteidae)

Distribution

Region
Western Atlantic
Distribution
Western Atlantic: Gulf of St. Lawrence in Canada to North Carolina, USA. Mainly a near-shore marine species, but far inland populations occur in lakes in Nova Scotia in Canada and in Hudson, Delaware and Susquehanna River drainages (Ref. 5723).
Range
51°N - 35°N

Environment

Climate
Temperate
Water Temperature From
4 °C
Water Temperature To
20 °C
Depth From - meters
0 m
Depth To - meters
3 m
Zone
benthopelagic
Environment
Marine; freshwater; brackish; benthopelagic; depth range 0 - 3 m (Ref. 85409)
Trophic Level
3.23 s.e. 0.38 Based on food items.
Occurs in Marine / Salt water
True
Occurs in Brackish water
True
Occurs in Fresh Water
True
Occurs on Reefs
False
Is kept in Aquariums
True

Physical Size and Genetics

Maximum Length
6.4 cm
Common Length
4.1 cm
Phylogenetic Diversity Index
PD50 = 1.0000 many relatives (e.g. carps) 0.5 - 2.0 few relatives (e.g. lungfishes)

Human Uses and Population

Human Uses
Aquarium: public aquariums
Vulnerability
Low vulnerability (16 of 100)
Resilience
High, minimum population doubling time less than 15 months (K=0.84; tmax=3)
Threat To Humans
  Harmless
IUCN Red List Status
  Least Concern (LC)