Bony fish · Cypriniformes · Cyprinidae

Barbel

Barbus barbus

Least Concern

The species is abundant and widely distributed; it faces no significant short-term risk. See full glossary

Its eggs are toxic to mammals, humans included, an unusual defence among European cyprinids.

Weight

1 kg – 3 kg

Size

50 cm – 1 m

Lifespan

20 years

Diet

Carnivore

Feeds mainly on other animals.

Activity

Nocturnal

Active mainly at night.

Social structure

School

Gathers in coordinated schools, typical of fish.

Sighting difficulty

Easy

Fun facts

As many as 130 males may take part in a single spawning over gravel scrapes.
It eats invertebrates such as crustaceans, insect larvae and molluscs, and occasionally small fish.
It lives in fast, deep river stretches with gravel or stone beds across northern Europe.

Skeleton type: Vertebrate - internal bony skeleton (fish)
Habitat & environment: Fast, deep river stretches with gravel or stone beds (the 'barbel zone') of northern Europe, from Great Britain to Lithuania and the Danube basin
Birth weight: Tiny larva at hatching
Size at birth: Tiny larva at hatching
Sexual maturity: 3-4 years
Gestation / incubation: The eggs hatch 10-15 days after spawning
Litter / clutch size: Hundreds to thousands of non-adhesive eggs laid in 2-3 batches in gravel scrapes; as many as 130 males may take part in a single spawning