Barbel (Barbus barbus)

Scientific name: Barbus barbus Linnaeus, 1758

The Barbel (Barbus barbus) is a freshwater fish of the family Cyprinidae. In the aquarium it needs water at 10–24°C (50–75°F).

Barbel care at a glance

Temperature: 10–24°C (50–75°F)

Biology

Dorsal spines (total): 3 - 4; Dorsal soft rays (total): 7-9; Anal spines: 2 - 3; Anal soft rays: 5 - 6; Vertebrae: 46 - 47. Diagnosed from its congeners in France, Great Britain, Black, North, Baltic and Adriatic Sea basins and Apennine Peninsula by having the following characters: lower lip thick with a median swollen pad; tip of dorsal pointed; posterior margin of dorsal concave; last simple dorsal ray spinous, serrated along entire posterior edge; flexible segmented part of last simple dorsal ray about 20-24% of its length; fine dark spots (or no spots) in individuals larger than 10 cm SL; 53-63 total scales on lateral line; 12-14 scale rows between dorsal origin and lateral line; pelvic origin about below dorsal origin; scales with free posterior part pointed; scales on back with 1-5 well developed median longitudinal epithelial crests. Caudal fin with 19-20 rays.

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name: Barbus barbus
Family: Cyprinidae (Minnows or carps)
Order: Cypriniformes (Carps)
Class: Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length: 120
Common length: 30.0
Depth range: 10 m (33 ft)
Environment: Freshwater; benthopelagic; potamodromous; depth range 10 - ? m
Climate: Temperate
Distribution: Europe: North of the Pyr?n?es and Alps, from Adour (France) eastward to Neman (Lithuania, Russia) drainages, in rivers draining to Atlantic, North sea and southern Baltic Sea; Danube to Dniepr drainages in northern Black Sea basin; southeastern England north to Yorkshire. Found almost throughout Mediterranean drainages of France. Locally introduced in northern and central Italy, rivers Wear, Tees and Medway and most western drainages of England.
Conservation status (IUCN): Least Concern (LC)
Threat to humans: Other
Uses: Fisheries: minor commercial; aquaculture: likely future use; gamefish: yes; aquarium: commercial
Resilience: Low, minimum population doubling time 4.5 - 14 years (tm=3-5)