Three-Spined Stickleback (Gasterosteus aculeatus)

The Three-Spined Stickleback or Gasterosteus aculeatus is one of the few fish that were actually honored on a postage stamp. This fish was featured on the 14-franc stamp in Belgium in the year 1990.

There are about 16 different kinds of Stickleback fish that are grouped into five different genera. All of these Sticklebacks, including the Three-Spined Stickleback don't have any scales. They are found in freshwater and saltwater in many places across the world including Northern Europe, Northern Asia and North America. These fish feed on small crustaceans and other fishes larvae. The Three Spined Stickleback gets its name from the three isolated spines that shoot out from its dorsal fin area. These species has a very strange mating procedure. The males will construct a nest that is held together by a secretion from their kidneys. Males will develop a red belly and chin which shows that they are ready to mate. Males will then attract females to the nest were they will lay there eggs. From this point on the male fertilizes them and guards them until hatching. If you have more information about the Three-Spined Stickleback fish that you would like to share please leave a comment below...