What species of sticklebacks live in the Chesapeake Bay?
Two species of sticklebacks can be found in the Chesapeake Bay: • The threespine stickleback, Gasterosteus aculeatus, varies in color from gray to olive brown, with black speckles all over its body and bony plates running along its sides. It has three dorsal spines: two that are large and one that is small. • The fourspine stickleback, Apeltes quadracus, varies in color from brownish-green to black, with dark, mottled patterns and no bony scutes. It has three large dorsal spines and a fourth that is attached to the dorsal fin. Fourspines are a bit smaller than threespines. Where do sticklebacks live? Sticklebacks are mostly found in shallow, vegetated areas of the Chesapeake Bay, along with pipefish and lined seahorses. • Threespine sticklebacks visit the Chesapeake Bay during winter and spring, moving as far north as Kent Island. • Fourspine sticklebacks are year-round residents of the entire Chesapeake Bay. They move to the Bay’s deeper channels in the winter. What do sticklebacks ea
