Nine-spined Stickleback

a.k.a Ten-spined Stickleback

Scientific name: Pungitius pungitius (Linnaeus, 1758)
Family: Gasterosteidae
Order: Gasterosteiformes
Class: Actinopterygii
Irish name: Garmachán deich gclipe (Ten spined stickleback)
Irish angling record: Not recorded
Native species: Yes
Hybrids: No

Identifying features

Distinguished by the presence of 7 to 12 free spines in front of the dorsal fin and a long caudal keel that usually reaches beneath the dorsal fin; Pale green, grey, or olive above, strongly pigmented with irregularly arranged dark bars or blotches; silvery below 4; Maximum length of 9cm ².

Environment and Habitat

Occur on the bottom or midwaters of a water body; anadromous1; found in densely vegetated freshwater waterways; male builds a nest of aquatic vegetation during spawning time; male guards nest and newly-hatched young².

European distribution

Widespread across Europe.  Irish distribution unknown.

Economic value in Ireland

No commercial value;

Red list status.

Least concern

Irish legislation status.

Protected by Coarse Fish bye-law No. 806, 2006: maximum 4 fish per angler per day; no killing of coarse fish > 25cm.

EU legislation status

Unprotected.