Hello Robert
Just wanted to drop a line to let you know how much I enjoy your 
postings on North Americian natives.  I've compiled quite a folder 
thanks to you.  Living in Atlantic Canada a lot of these species are 
just as exoitic to me as Red Sea fish.  Perhaps someday soon I will seek
Some of these out (a good vacation destination maybe).  
Of the natives you have written about one family seems to have been 
overlooked...the sticklebacks.  Perhaps these are not native to your 
area, and so experience with these jewels are not possible.  I, however,
am fortunate enough to be able to collect three species of 
stickleback...the nine, seven, and three spinned varieties.  If anyone 
is able to obtain these, I say DO IT, and enjoy.  The male, in breeding 
coloration rivials salt water fish in color.  Their breeding activity 
alone is worth the effort of keeping them.  Males build nests from twigs
and small pebbles, leaf parts, or anything else he can get a hold of.  
It seems as if he spins some sort of web to hold the small tube he 
creates together.  He then trys to attract as many ripe females as 
possible to deposit eggs in his "tube".  The male diligently defends his
tube-o-eggs, and the fry when they hatch.  
These fish are perfect aquarium species and verrrrry hardy.  They grow 
about 2" long, are tolerant of fluctuations in water temp, are peaceful 
towards other species.  They remind me of humming birds in their swim 
pattern.  They like mid water and dart from place to place instead of 
the "normal swim pattern" of say tetras.  I've kept them on and off for 
the last 15 years or so.  
Now is the time to collect them as they are in breeding condition and it
easy to distinguish male from female.  Just look for the glowing fish in
rivers or ponds.  I'm not sure of their range but to anyone with access 
to a stickleback hot spot....take advantage!  You'll be glad you did.
If you have any additional information on these Robert, I'd be indebted 
to you if you'd send it my way.
Greg
... Smithers--release the hounds!
--- Blue Wave v2.12 [NR]
1:255/200)
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