Pungitius laevis

Pungitius laevis
Conservation status
LC (IUCN 3.1)
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Actinopterygii
Order:	Perciformes
Family:	Gasterosteidae
Genus:	Pungitius
Species:	P. laevis
Binomial name
Pungitius laevis G. Cuvier, 1829
Synonyms
Gasterosteus laevis Cuvier, 1829 Pungitius laevis (Cuvier, 1829) Gasterosteus lotharingus Blanchard, 1866 Gasterosteus breviceps Blanchard, 1866 Gasterosteus burgundianus Blanchard, 1866 Gasterosteus globiceps Sauvage, 1874 Pygosteus pungitius hologymna Bertin, 1925

Pungitius laevis, commonly known as smoothtail ninespine stickleback, is a species of freshwater fish of the family Gasterosteidae. It is distributed in temperate brackish benthopelagic waters of coastal western Europe. It can be between 1.5–8.0 cm (0.59–3.15 in) in length and can be found in the southern United Kingdom, Ireland, France, Belgium, and the Netherlands.

Description

Pungitius laevis have a concave snout headshape, truncate caudal fin, and enlongated body shape. It has a total of nine dorsal spines and 10-11 pectoral fin rays. Adults typically have a coloration of bright green with darker green tints which are covered by black blotches.

Biology

Adult specimen prefer still, densely vegetated shallow water where they have access to zooplankton, benthic insect, and small crustaceans. ¹

Reproduction

Breeding season lasts from April-June with Males being responsible for guarding and nesting the eggs before they hatch. Nests are usually built by vegetation and egg's usually take around 10-20 days to hatch. Males die at the end of breeding season.