Common Barbel

The Common Barbel or Barbus Barbus is also referred to as Barbel (in Great Britain) or Barbeau (in France). The common barbel belongs to the family Cyprinidae. Numerous species of barbel (Dniepr barbel, Crimean barbel, Terek barbel) can be found in the Black Sea, the Sea of Azov, the Caspian Sea, and in the Aral Sea. Barbel prefer deeper areas with a stony bottom and clean flowing water. It comes to the shallows only when rivers flood. In the period of spawning barbels gather into shoals. They feed on bottom water inhabitants, fish roe and fry, as well as insects that fall into water. On the corners of its mouth and on the upper jaw are two pairs of barbels that are the most noted characteristic of the barbel. The fish use them to locate its prey on the bottom of the water body. Its body, cylindrical in shape, is covered with silver scales and equipped with pinkish fins. Its dorsal fin is high and short. The barbel is grayish green on the dorsal surface and light gray on the flanks. The common barbel may reach a rather big size (up to 85 cm) and a weight of 4-6 kg. Females are usually larger than males.