Fourspine Stickleback
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Name and Code Family Gasterosteidae - sticklebacks Species Apeltes quadracus Taxonomic Authority (Mitchill 1815) Common Name(s) Fourspine Stickleback French Name épinoche à quatre épines Species Code 284 Family TSN 166363 Parent TSN 166396 Species TSN 166397 Conservation Status Global Rank (GRank) G5 (2016-02-10) National Rank (NRank) N5 (2016-02-10) Provincial Rank (SRank) SNA (1997-10-09) COSEWIC Status none SARO Status none AFS Status none Status Notes none Ecological Value Ontario Origin introduced General Abundance limited distribution Tolerance intermediate Economic Importance none Length-Weight Regression Coefficents Intercept (a) no data Slope (b) no data Length Basis n/a				Habitat and Feeding General Habitat(s) lacustrine; estuarine1; marine1 Environment benthopelagic Trophic Class planktivore Thermal Regime coolwater Habitat Preference shallow, brackish estuarine waters; occasionally streams and lakes Reproduction Reproductive Guild Guarders: Nest spawners: Ariadnophils Spawning Habitat(s) lacustrine; estuarine1; marine1 Spawning Season spring-summer Spawning Month(s) May-July Spawning Temperature (°C) 16-18 Fecundity 10-214 Nursery Habitat(s) lacustrine; estuarine1; marine1 Size and Age Adult Length (cm) 3.6-5.8 TL Adult Weight (kg) 0.0004-0.0013 Age at Maturity (yrs) 1 (m); 1-2 (f) Maximum Length (cm) 6.6 TL Maximum Weight (kg) no data Lifespan (yrs) 1 (m); 2 (f) Ontario Records Record Length (cm) 5.3 TL Record Weight (kg) none				Ontario Range Map Ontario Distribution Thunder Bay Harbour, Black Bay (Lake Superior); introduced with ballast water to Lake Superior; first reported from Ontario waters in 1986 Photographs Notes (1) within native range; indigenous to Atlantic coast; typically a marine species that frequents estuaries; use as bait prohibited
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