Three-Spined Stickleback

A small freshwater and coastal fish found in ponds, ditches, streams and sheltered estuaries across the Northern Hemisphere. Look for males in shallow, clear water in spring and early summer, when breeding fish develop a red throat and belly and build and guard small nests of plant debris on the bottom. Watching from the bank with polarised sunglasses to cut glare is often more productive than wading in, since the fish are easily spooked in shallow water.