The stickleback family includes only two species: the tubesnout, our local representative, and a similar species which resides off the coasts of Japan and Korea.

The tubesnout (Aulorhynchus flavidus)
The tubesnout has a long, cylindrical body, with a translucent dorsal fin located far along the back, and an elongated snout with a small mouth. The body is shiny and comes in colors ranging from silver to brown, and there are about 25 spines along the dorsal ridge. The tail of the tubesnout is slightly forked, with the anal fin mirroring the dorsal fin.

This fish is found in small schools over eel grass beds and areas of kelp, which it uses to hide in. They tend to prefer shallow areas where there is marine growth, docks, or pilings to gather around. The tubesnout swims with its pectoral fins sweeping it along with a rowing motion; if you watch one closely, you may see it lunging at the small animals that are its prey.

When males are ready to mate, their bodies darken, become dotted with red or blue spots, and the snout becomes fluorescent. They construct nests out of seaweed by binding it together with genital fluids, then have the females deposit clusters of about sixty eggs. After he fertilizes each batch, he will guard the nest for about three weeks until the eggs hatch.

(click on photo to enlarge)