One of our ecologists found this specimen of Fifteen-spined
Stickleback on a beach in County Cork.This species, the largest of the sticklebacks, grows to a maximum size
of 22 centimetres (8.7 in), but the usual size range is 8 to 15 cm (3
to 6 in). The fifteen-spined stickleback is a solitary fish and a
predator that lurks among concealing vegetation ready to pounce on
plankton and fish fry which drift too close.
Stickleback on a beach in County Cork.This species, the largest of the sticklebacks, grows to a maximum size
of 22 centimetres (8.7 in), but the usual size range is 8 to 15 cm (3
to 6 in). The fifteen-spined stickleback is a solitary fish and a
predator that lurks among concealing vegetation ready to pounce on
plankton and fish fry which drift too close.
Breeding takes place in May and June among bladderwrack, the male
building a nest out of bits of seaweed. He then guards the eggs and
fans them with his fins until they hatch. He continues to care for the
fry until they have absorbed the contents of their egg yolks and can
feed for themselves. It is thought that the adult females die after
spawning
