Ninespine Stickleback

Also called: Stickleback

Slender olive-silver fish with a narrow tail base and a row of small isolated dorsal spines, commonly around nine.

Cool freshwater and coastal/brackish habitats, depending on the population.

Feeds on small aquatic animals and nests in shallow cover.

Not commonly targeted.

Spine counts can vary; do not treat nine as an absolute identification rule.