Sticklebacks

Sticklebacks

Gasterosteus aculeatus
( Threespine, right )

Apeltes quadracus
( Fourspine, below )

Size:
to 4" (threespine)
to 2" (fourspine)

Sticklebacks

Habitat:
Weedy shore waters, occasionally at sea or even in freshwater.

Notes:
Sticklebacks are related to Pipefish and Seahorses. Three- and four-spined varieties are common in our area. A Ninespine variety is also possible.

Sticklebacks
Male Threespine Stickleback in breeding colors

leech

Macrobdella spp.

Size: to 10"

Habitat: aquatic

Notes: It's not a nice thought, but there are leeches in our freshwaters, and in marine habitats as well. The species shown is one of the largest and most attractive, if you can say such a thing. It feeds exclusively on vertebrate blood - a good reason to wear a wetsuit, although I've never encountered one. Leeches are actually worms, not insects, but ...

Printed from njscuba.net