Description

Distinguished uniquely from congeners in Europe by having a deep notch on the anterior margin of pelvic girdle. Differs further from other members of the genus by having the following combination of characters: trunk with 2-15 scutes; and scutes forming a lateral keel on caudal peduncle or keel absent. Morphological differences are reported in several lakes between individuals occurring in different substrates (mud, lava), especially in Lake Thingvalla (Ref. 59043).

Common Names

No common names available.

Taxonomic Hierarchy

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Chordata

Class: Teleostei

Order: Perciformes/Gasterosteoidei

Family: Gasterosteidae

Genus: Gasterosteus

Species: Gasterosteus islandicus Sauvage, 1874

Climate Zone

Location

Biology

Adults inhabit streams and lakes (Ref. 59043). Males build, guard and aerate the nest where the eggs are deposited (Ref. 205).

Habitat

benthopelagic