[stik-uh
l-bak] 
| any of the small, pugnacious, spiny-backed fishes of the family Gasterosteidae, inhabiting northern fresh waters and sea inlets, the male of which builds and guards the nest. |
| stick·le·back (stĭk'əl-bāk') n. Any of various small freshwater and marine fishes of the family Gasterosteidae, having erectile spines along the back. [Middle English stikelbak : Old English sticel, prick; see steig- in Indo-European roots + Middle English bak, back; see back1.] |