stickleback

Everyday

1. A stickleback is a small fish with sharp spines on its back, found in ponds, streams and coastal waters of the Northern Hemisphere. tree →
2. The male three-spined stickleback builds a nest of plants and turns red underneath in the breeding season. tree →

In the lessons

In science lessons on ponds, food chains and animal behaviour, sticklebacks are easy to watch: the male builds a nest, guards the eggs and fans water over them. Children in the UK, Ireland and Canada may catch them in a net at a pond (and should put them back). Phrases: «three-spined stickleback», «pond dipping».

Examples

• We caught a stickleback while pond dipping and then let it go. tree →
• The stickleback has spiky spines on its back. tree →
• The male stickleback builds a nest and guards the eggs. tree →
• In spring the male stickleback's belly turns red. tree →
• Herons and kingfishers eat sticklebacks. tree →
• Sticklebacks raise their spines so bigger fish can't swallow them. tree →
• Scientists study sticklebacks to learn how animals change over time. tree →

Note

Countable: a stickleback, sticklebacks. Compound of «stickle» (spine, prickle) + «back». Handle gently with wet hands and return to the water.