Southern Nine-Spined Stickleback

discussion

Remarks Reported from the Danube up to Belgrade (Kottelat & Freyhof 2007). Mentioned in Sofradžija (2009) for the Danube River Basin, but without a more precise distribution area. There is no confirmation of its presence in recent literature, and additional research is needed.

Freshwater fishes (Petromyzonti, Elasmobranchii, and Actinopteri) of Bosnia and Herzegovina: an updated inventory on the biodiversity and distribution

biology_ecology

Habitat. Marshes and slow-flowing streams with dense vegetation, occasionally enter brackish water. Biology. Spawns first time at 1 year in spring when temperature reaches 15 ° C. Territorial during spawning. Males build a nest of filamentous algae and submerged vegetation with a separate entrance and exit. Females lay about 90 eggs. Male guard nest until young swim away a few weeks later. Feeds on benthic invertebrates.

Handbook of Freshwater Fishes of West Asia

diagnosis

Diagnosis. Distinguished from Gasterosteus aculeatus in West Asia by: ● 7 – 11 isolated spines in front of dorsal. Size up to 60 mm SL.

Handbook of Freshwater Fishes of West Asia

distribution

Distribution. In West Asia restricted to lower reaches of rivers in Azerbaijan and lower Sefid and associated wetlands in Iran. Native in lower rivers and wetlands draining to northern shores of Black, Caspian, and Aral basins. In Danube drainage as far upstream as Belgrade. Isolated populations in Axios and Aliakmon drainages (Greece). Also in upper Tobol system (Ob drainage), Lake Issyk-Kul basin (Kyrgyzstan), and Sarysu drainage (central Kazakhstan).

Handbook of Freshwater Fishes of West Asia