Fourspine stickleback (Apeltes quadracus)

Scientific name: Apeltes quadracus Mitchill, 1815

The Fourspine stickleback (Apeltes quadracus) is a freshwater fish of the family Gasterosteidae. In the aquarium it needs water at 4–20°C (39–68°F).

Fourspine stickleback care at a glance

Temperature: 4–20°C (39–68°F)

Biology

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

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name: Apeltes quadracus
Family: Gasterosteidae (Sticklebacks and tubesnouts)
Order: Gasterosteiformes (Sticklebacks and Seamoths)
Class: Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length: 6.4
Common length: 4.1
Depth range: 0–3 m (0–10 ft)
Environment: Marine; freshwater; brackish; benthopelagic; depth range 0 - 3 m
Climate: Temperate
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.
Conservation status (IUCN): Least Concern (LC)
Threat to humans: Harmless
Uses: Aquarium: public aquariums
Resilience: High, minimum population doubling time less than 15 months (K=0.84; tmax=3)