Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection

Emergency Burn Ban In Effect 10/26/24 - An emergency burn ban is now in effect for all Connecticut State Parks, Forests, and Wildlife Management areas, prohibiting the use of all outdoor grills, firepits, and campfires, and the kindling and use of flame outdoors. DEEP and local agencies are working to contain several active fires across the state. Please avoid all affected State Parks and Forests, as well as the blue-blazed Mattabesett Trail. The Enduro Trail in Voluntown and portions of North Stonington within the Pachaug State Forest are closed at this time. Please note that today's forest fire danger report remains at an 'extreme' level. More information about the current fire danger, burn ban and recommended safety measures can be found here

Ninespine Stickleback (Pungitius pungitius) - Native

Two ninespine sticklebacks.

Two adult ninespine sticklebacks.

Identification. Very slender body. Dorsal spines 8-11. Pelvic bones joined across breast. Long lateral keel on caudal peduncle originates under soft dorsal fin. Tail fin slightly concave to slightly rounded. No bony plates on sides. Generally gray, green or olive above and on sides with white belly. Dark mottling on sides. Can appear very dark overall, almost black.

Ninespine stickleback in a tank.

The ninespine has a much more slender body than the other Connecticut sticklebacks.

Size. Commonly 1 to 2 inches. State survey max. size 2.4 inches. Max. reported size 3.5 inches.

Distribution. Circumpolar distribution. In North America, they are found through much of Alaska and Canada and in the Northeastern United States from the Great Lakes region to the East Coast, south to New Jersey. Although freshwater populations exist elsewhere within their range, all Connecticut populations are associated with salt water. Marine populations exist all along the state coastline, ranging inland to just above the saltwater influence, where they are rare to common in abundance.

Ninespine stickelback distribution map.

All maps created in 2009. See CT DEEP Fish Community Data for updated distributions.

Habits. Prefer vegetated areas of tidal streams and salt marshes. They move upstream into fresh water during late spring/early summer to spawn. Can easily be captured with small-mesh dip net or seine.

Comments. Ninespine stickleback males build little tunnel-shaped nests out of bits of vegetation.

 

Text and images adapted from Jacobs, R. P., O'Donnell, E. B., and Connecticut DEEP. (2009). A Pictorial Guide to Freshwater Fishes of Connecticut. Hartford, CT. Available for purchase at the DEEP Store.