Pungitius laevis, commonly known as smoothtail ninespine stickleback, is a species of freshwater fish of the family Gasterosteidae.

[3] This taxon has been considered to be conspecific with the ninespine stickleback (P. pungitius), sometimes treated as a western European subspecies of that holarctic species.

[4] The specific name, laevis, means "smooth" and allusion to the lack of scutes on the caudal peduncle.

[6] Adult specimen prefer still, densely vegetated shallow water where they have access to zooplankton, benthic insects, and small crustaceans.

[6] Breeding season lasts from April to June, with males being responsible for nesting and guarding the eggs before they hatch.