Stickleback
A small, scaleless fish species
The stickleback is a small, scaleless fish found in the fresh, brackish, and marine waters of the Northern Hemisphere’s temperate regions. These tiny fish grow average 5-10 cm (2-4 inches) in length and include about eight fish species within the Gasterosteidae family. Cousins to the pipefish and seahorse, sticklebacks are identifiable by a row of 2 to 16 spines in front of their dorsal fin.
The three-spined and nine-spined sticklebacks are more commonly seen species, occurring throughout the Northern Hemisphere in fresh and saltwater. The brook and four-spined sticklebacks thrive in the freshwater environments of North America, while the 15-spined stickleback is found off the coasts of the British Isles and northwestern Europe. Check out the map below to find out where sticklebacks are seen at dives sites near you.
Dive Sites with this Animal View more on map
★★★★☆ Centeen Park
A popular dive site for all levels of divers, you can see the underwater sculpture placed here with six standing human figures looking up, surrounded at an 18-foot radius by benches at each cardinal point. Two sturgeons point north at 35 feet out, a tribute to a species that was once plentiful in the river.
★★★★☆ Strandpark Slijk Ewijk
A 20-minute drive from the city center of Arnhem you will find this lovely freshwater lake. It has a maximum depth of 36 meters and a slow slope at the entry of the site. It is a great dive site for beginning divers and more advanced divers.
★★★★☆ Put van Ekeren
The well of the Ekeren or Muisbroek domain is an excellent place to conduct training dives. The visibility is usually quite good and there is no current to consider.
★★★★★ Schladitzer See
Besides diving Schladitzer See, there are many activities on the water plus an overnight stay area, restaurant, and beach club. Dive site access is only allowed at the diving center. Please register in advance.
★★★★☆ Zandeiland 4
Zandeiland 4 is one of the most beautiful and diverse lakes to dive in the Netherlands. There are objects in the dive zone and greater depths for more technical dives. The facilities are good and parking is close to the water.
★★★★☆ Kreidesee Hemmoor - Einstieg 1
Kreide-See is a well known and popular diving lake. In former times chalk was mined here. The roads, the vibrator, trucks, conveyor belts, and some machines that were needed for the mining can still be visited underwater.