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The stickleback, a small fish found in many bodies of water across Russia, is considered undemanding in terms of habitat and conditions. It can thrive in the cold waters of Western Siberia, thrive in freshwater and saltwater, and even tolerate captivity in home aquariums.
Fishermen, when fishing for stickleback, rarely use it as bait for larger predators. It's impossible to catch this predator in the rivers and lakes of the Putorana Plateau. Fishing trips in the Siberian nature reserve don't encourage catching small fish, especially when the waters are teeming with noble salmon species ( taimen, brown trout, and whitefish ).
Features of thorns
The species belongs to the order Scorpioniformes, a group of ray-finned fish. The stickleback's main characteristic is the spines on its back. This helps these small and voracious predatory fish avoid attacks from other bloodthirsty fish. However, they themselves consume everything they encounter.
These bloodthirsty gluttons are capable of attacking even empty hooks, becoming trophies for anglers. Sticklebacks rarely survive in the same waters as other fish. Although small, they are very hungry and active.
What do sticklebacks look like?
Inexperienced anglers may confuse these fish with small smelts, similar in name and size. These are two distinct species with many differences. The stickleback looks like this:
· On the back, in front of the dorsal fin, there are several spiny spines.
· The fin on the abdomen is either absent, or a spike grows in its place.
· On the chest, large fan-shaped fins.
· The tail is notchless, fairly wide and rounded.
· Maximum growth of individuals up to 6 cm.
· The body is long, flattened on the sides.
· The large head has a sharp muzzle with large eyes.
· They have no scales. Instead, they may have spines on their sides to protect them from attack.
If a predator (pike or zander) attacks the barb, its spines snap shut, causing excruciating pain. The predator simply spits it out and leaves it alone.
Where does the predator live?
In Russia, this small, spiny predator is found in Western Siberia, the Far East, and the Leningrad and Krasnodar regions. This bloodthirsty specimen can be caught in Lake Onega and the Gulf of Finland.
The fish prefers bodies of water with a slow current and a muddy bottom. Fishing habitats include thickets. In these areas, the predators hunt for various creatures and are even capable of devouring their own kind.
What is made from thorns?
Sticklebacks can be used on the shore to make fish soup, but they are not like the ruff, which can make any fish soup rich and fatty. This bony, spiny species is most often used to make fish meal or high-quality fish oil. It is odorless and can be used in medicine or in the preparation of fish dishes.
During the siege, Leningrad residents caught sticklebacks not only for food but also for use as medicine in hospitals. Fish oil is excellent for healing wounds and burns. A monument to this fish was erected in Kronstadt after the war.
Conclusion
You'll agree that this small, voracious predator is certainly interesting in its own right. Not every specimen, even the most noble, can boast of having a monument erected in its honor. Although the fish isn't particularly valuable, it's very popular and in demand.
Today, sticklebacks are a common sight in many home aquariums, where they reproduce and thrive. It's important not to introduce other fish to a pair of predatory fish and to monitor their behavior during spawning. These predators aren't above feeding even on their own offspring.
