Pungitius platygaster (Kessler, 1859)
Southern ninespine stickleback
photo by Artaev, O.

Family:  Gasterosteidae (Sticklebacks and tubesnouts)
Max. size:  6 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  benthopelagic; freshwater; brackish; marine
Distribution:  Europe and Asia: Lower courses of rivers draining to northern shore of Black, Caspian and Aral Sea basins, Danube drainage as far upstream as Belgrade; isolated populations in Axios and Aliakmon drainages (Greece); upper Tobol system (Ob drainage), Lake Issyk-kul basin (Kyrgyzstan) and Sarysu drainage (central Kazakhstan).
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 8-11. Distinguished uniquely from its congeners in Europe by having large lateral scutes. Differs further from other members of the genus by the combination of the following characters: side of caudal peduncle without keel; and dorsal fin with 8-11 spines (Ref. 59043).
Biology:  Occurs in fresh, brackish and marine waters (Ref. 58342). Inhabits swamps and slow-flowing streams with dense vegetation. Feeds on benthic invertebrates. Territorial during spawning season. Males construct a nest and guard the nest until the young swim away a few weeks later. Attain first sexual maturity at 1 year of age (Ref. 59043).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 01 January 2008 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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