Sticklebacks: are they bad for wildlife?

[GuyF]

When I first put my pond in I bought one male stickleback to live in it. I have tried since to get a partner but I haven't had any luck, and I imagine that my stickleback is probably dead by now. I hope to put in a larger pond soon. I was wondering if putting sticklebacks into a wildlife pond is a bad idea? I know goldfish can be bad for wildlife but I don't know whether sticklebacks are the same. Will sticklebacks make my wildlife pond worse?
Thanks

[aeshna5]

Sticklebacks are native wildlife so are part of native ecosystems. Yes they will eat some invertebrates but so will newts, dragonfly larvae, etc. Personally I think they are an asset- interesting coutship behaviour, etc. Some will advise no fish, but in the end you will have to decide.

[Lincs Yellowbelly]

Nowt wrong with Sticklebacks they are a native british fish

[Ollie]

Takes me back to my childhood this one, can remember seeing Sticklebacks in the stream in my village. haven't looked in that stream for years to see if there are still any around.
Roger

[Dan Salter]

I agree with ollie...sticklebacks were the intro to wildlife ( and fishing) for me and many millions of kids out there...love em

[Dipper]

Sticklebacks are voracious predators, however they are part of the natural foodchain and even end up as meals for dragonfly nymphs and great diving beetle adults/larvae.

The 'Field guide to the dragonflies and damselflies of Great Britain and Ireland' by Steve Brooks has a picture of a brown hawker nymph eating a stickleback that is a bit larger than itself.

[Airehead]

Like all small fish, they eat and get eaten. Their colours are quite outstanding, unfortunately you can't see them in a pond.

[Earth Hart]

Sticklebacks prefer flowing water rather than still so make sure when you get the larger pond to create a flow through. That way, if you get a pair or more, you may find you get lickle stickles.

[aeshna5]

3-spined Sticklebacks are found in slow moving rivers, but are just as happy in canals, ponds + lakes where there is no obvious flow. Provide you've got some oxygenating weed, I wouldn't worry about moving water.

In northern Europe different forms are migratory + enter estuaries.

[GuyF]

Thanks for all your advice,
That was the answer I was hoping for as I did enjoy watching 'Spike' my lone male stickleback. The next problem is where to buy one because the garden centre where I bought him hasn't had any in stock for atleast a year!
Thanks again.