How does a stickleback dad take care of his eggs?

What Crafty Clover says in this video

Intro

Hi there, curious minds! I'm Crafty Clover! Let's discover something amazing. How does a stickleback dad take care of his eggs?

The Big Idea

Stickleback dads are great parents! They build nests and guard eggs. How?

Nest Builders

Step one: Nest Builders. Male sticklebacks are small fish that build nests out of plant pieces. They glue them together with a sticky thread.

Guarding Eggs

Step two: Guarding Eggs. A female lays eggs in the nest, and the male guards it. He fans the eggs with his fins to bring them oxygen.

Caring for Babies

Step three: Caring for Babies. After the eggs hatch, he keeps the baby fish nearby. Sticklebacks live in cool ponds and streams and have spiny fins on their backs.

A Closer Look

Let's take a closer look! Plant pieces. Guarded. Brings oxygen. Spring color.

Quick Facts

Quick facts! In spring, many male sticklebacks get a bright red belly. Nests are glued. Dads fan the eggs. Spiny fins on backs.

Think Like a Scientist

Now, think like a scientist! Draw a stickleback nest made of plant pieces. Draw eggs inside it. Draw the male guarding it. Show him fanning with his fins. Label each part.

Outro

Male sticklebacks build nests from plant pieces glued with sticky thread, guard the eggs a female lays there, and fan them with their fins to bring oxygen. After hatching, the dad keeps the babies close. Science is amazing! Keep wondering and keep exploring! Share what you learned with someone at home, and see what they think! Crafty Clover can be found on Amazon Books, Google Bookstore, and Apple Books. Available for purchase or download! Bye for now!