The Inhabitants of the Aquarium 201 



sive and cannot be kept with smaller fish 

 of quiet, peaceful dispositions. 



The Common, Three-spined, or Nest Building 

 Stickleback (Gasterostcus acidcatus), is one 

 of our most interesting little fishes. As 



T? 



f 1 I W Mt^Z n- 11 "P ,77*" 



Fig. 91. Three-spined Stickleback, Gastcrostcus aculeatus. 



soon as spring conies and the ice disappears 

 from the streams and rivers emptying into 

 the sea, the Stickleback swims inland, fol- 

 lowing up these watercourses. It frequently 

 takes advantage of the tide, allowing itself 

 to be carried into the swamps, where, in the 

 deeper places, it remains to spawn. 



The color of the Stickleback varies 



