Hello Folks! It's time to go underwater and explore the wonderful world of UK fish. Some are spotty, some have stripes. Some prefer lakes, others prefer streams. Prepare to get your feet wet and get your fins in a flap!Each Monday for 12 weeks I will be posting a little teaser for you. Without looking in books or on the internet (i.e - no cheating), see if you can identify the UK fish On Wednesday, so as long as no-one has guessed it, I will post one clue. On Friday I will post the answer along with some additional information for your interest.MYSTERY FISH QUIZ #8Clue: All of a zig-zag.
My first thought was a Jack Pike ( sharp maybe meaning Pike and of course j for jack ) but we have already had that so for me it Zander until I get my thinking head on.
Pete
Birding is for everyone no matter how good or bad we are at it,enjoy it while you can
Congratulations to all of you who guessed Three-spined stickleback (Gasterosteus aculeatus). First, a bit about the clues: The first clue: All of a zig-zag. This refers to the ‘zig-zag’ dance that male Three-spined sticklebacks perform whilst courting females. The male will swim short distances to the left and right and then swims back to the nest in the same manner. The second clue: Mr J Sharp. This refers to one of this stickleback’s many common names: Jacksharp. Jacksharp becomes Jack Sharp and then Mr J Sharp. Other names include: Burnstickle and Tiddler.
Belonging to the Gasterosteidae family, Three-spindled stickleback are the largest of the stickleback family and can reach up to 5cm in length. Behind the 10-14 rays on their dorsal fins, Three-spindled sticklebacks have, as their name suggests three spines. With a compressed body, Three-spindled sticklebacks have a slender tail and their bodies normally an olive or silvery green colour. Three-spindled sticklebacks prefer slow moving fresh or coastal waters where there is emerging vegetation. Three-spindled sticklebacks normally eat small crustaceans and aquatic insects, but will also cannibalize eggs and fry!
A picture of a Three-spindled stickleback is found here.
Did you know that: during the breeding season male Three-spindled stickleback have blue eyes with bright red, belly throat and lower head?
Keep an eye out for next week’s fish quiz!
Take care,
Claire
Well done Craig, I had never heard the term Jacksharp so I learnt something as well nice one MrsT.
Regards Shane
My Photos in Flickr.
Certainly opening my eyes to the world of fish!
"All weeds are flowers, once you get to know them" (Eeyore)
My photos on Flickr
Nice one Craig,taught me a bit more about fish.
Thanks guys. What an interesting life they lead
Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better. - Albert Einstein