Sticklebacks common in all types of water
The name ‘Pinkeen’ properly refers to the male Minnow when he changes into his brilliant red breeding colours during spawning time in June and July but to children who fish with hand nets for little fish in streams and small rivers at this time of year pinkeens are Three-spined Sticklebacks.
The Three-spined Stickleback is one of our most common wild fishes and between now and June the male dons brilliant red breeding colours equal to any Minnow. Sticklebacks are not fussy about the water they live in and may be found in all types of waterbodies from ponds and lakes to streams and rivers to rock pools on the sea shore.
As its name tells us, the species has three strong and sharp spines on its back. An unusual feature of the fish is that it has no scales; it may however have a variable number of bony plates protecting its soft body. Another unusual feature of the species is the dominant role the male plays in the production and rearing of the next generation.
At this time of year, the lower jaw, chest and belly of the male turns a fiery, scarlet red as the breeding season begins. He becomes aggressive and belligerent. He claims a territory and chases off other males and immature females who trespass on what he regards as his patch, his personal space.
He collects fibrous plant material and builds a nest. The material is glued together and anchored securely. As the nest grows in size it takes on the shape of a small rugby ball.
When it is finished to his satisfaction he pushes in at one end and wriggles through to the other end forming a tunnel. He then puts on a courtship display of zigzag dancing to impress passing females who are ready to lay, inviting them to swim through his tunnel and lay in his nest.
When a female is stimulated by his red colours, his dancing and his nest-building she enters the tunnel and lays her eggs therein. The male chases her away from the nest and she plays no further part in parenting.
He fertilises the eggs, guards then against predators, fans them with his fins to oxygenate them and looks after then until they hatch after about two weeks. The young may be very numerous and the deeply committed male is kept busy guarding and rearing them on his own until they can fend for themselves.