Common barbel

B. barbus is native throughout northern and eastern Europe, ranging north and east from the Pyrénées and Alps to Lithuania, Russia and the northern Black Sea basin.{{FishBase | genus = Barbus | species= barbus | year = 2006 | month = March}} It is an adaptable fish which transplants well between waterways, and has become established as an introduced species in several countries including Scotland,{{cite web | url = http://www.sfca.co.uk/go-fishing/know-your-fish/barbel/ | title = Barbel Barbus Barbus | access-date = 27 August 2017 | publisher = Scottish Federation for Coarse Angling}} Morocco and Italy.{{cite web|title=Introductions of Barbus barbus|url=http://www.fishbase.org/Introductions/IntroductionsList.php?ID=4472&GenusName=Barbus&SpeciesName=barbus&fc=122&StockCode=4670|website=Fishbase.org|access-date=1 October 2015}} Although barbel are native to eastern flowing rivers in England, they have historically been translocated to western flowing rivers, such as the River Severn.{{Cite journal|last1=Antognazza|first1=Caterina Maria|last2=Andreou|first2=Demetra|last3=Zaccara|first3=Serena|last4=Britton|first4=Robert J.|date=March 2016|title=Loss of genetic integrity and biological invasions result from stocking and introductions of Barbus barbus: insights from rivers in England|journal=Ecology and Evolution|volume=6|issue=5|pages=1280–1292|doi=10.1002/ece3.1906|issn=2045-7758|pmc=4729780|pmid=26843923}} Its favoured habitats are the so-called barbel zones in fast-flowing rivers with gravel or stone bottoms, although it regularly occurs in slower rivers and has been successfully stocked in still waters.{{cite web|title=Stillwater Barbel Thrive|url=http://www.matchfishingmagazine.com/news/item/509-stillwater-barbel-thrive|website=Match Fishing Magazine|access-date=1 October 2015|date=24 November 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151002101442/http://www.matchfishingmagazine.com/news/item/509-stillwater-barbel-thrive|archive-date=2 October 2015|url-status=dead}}

Barbel are very abundant in some rivers, often seen in large shoals on rivers such as the Wye.{{cite web|title=Other Fish Species|url=http://wyeuskfoundation.org/navigation/otherfish.php|website=Wye & Usk Foundation|access-date=2 October 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151003043540/http://wyeuskfoundation.org/navigation/otherfish.php|archive-date=3 October 2015|url-status=dead}} Izaak Walton reported that there were once so many barbel in the Danube that they could be caught by hand, 'eight or ten load at a time' .{{cite book|author=Izaak Walton|title=The Compleat Angler|publisher=F. Warne|editor=A. Murray|url=https://archive.org/details/compleatanglere00waltgoog|year=1869|pages=[https://archive.org/details/compleatanglere00waltgoog/page/n90 86]–87}}

File:Barbus Barbus (juvenile).JPG

Adult B. barbus specimens can reach 1.2 m (4 ft) in length and 12 kg (26 lb) in weight, although it is typically found at smaller sizes (50–100 cm length, weight 1–3 kg).{{cite web|title=Barbel|url=http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/subjects/fish/246986/342184/344711/?version=1&lang=_e|archive-url=http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20140328084622/http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/subjects/fish/246986/342184/344711/?version=1&lang=_e|url-status=dead|archive-date=28 March 2014|website=Environment Agency archive|access-date=2 October 2015}} Adult barbel can live to over 20 years of age.{{Cite journal|last=Amat Trigo|first=F.|display-authors=et al|date=2017|title=Spatial variability in the growth of invasive European barbel Barbus barbus in the River Severn basin, revealed using anglers as citizen scientists|url=https://www.kmae-journal.org/articles/kmae/pdf/2017/01/kmae170008.pdf|journal=Knowledge and Management of Aquatic Ecosystems|volume=418|pages=6}} Their sloping foreheads, flattened undersides, slender bodies and horizontally oriented pectoral fins are all adaptations for their life in swift, deep rivers, helping to keep them close to the riverbed in very strong flows. Juvenile fish are usually grey and mottled in appearance; adults are typically dark brown, bronze or grey in colour with a pale underside, with distinctively reddish or orange-tinged fins. The lobes of the tail are asymmetrical, the lower lobe being rounded and slightly shorter than the pointed upper lobe.

Barbel are active fish and often travel long distances in quite short time periods. Individuals can move between 16 and 68 km in a year, with mean (average) daily movement between 26 and {{nobr|139 m}}. Adults commonly feed at night, although they may feed during the daytime in the safety of deeper water or near bankside cover and underwater obstructions.{{cite book|author=Alwyne C. Wheeler|title=The Fishes of the British Isles and North-West Europe|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=8dcMAQAAIAAJ|year=1969|publisher=Macmillan|isbn=9780333059555}} Their underslung mouths make them especially well adapted for feeding on benthic organisms, including crustaceans, insect larvae and mollusks, which they root out from the gravel and stones of the riverbed. Barbel diets change as the fish develop from fry to juveniles and then to adults.{{Cite journal|last1=Gutmann Roberts|first1=Catherine|last2=Britton|first2=J. Robert|date=2018-09-01|title=Trophic interactions in a lowland river fish community invaded by European barbel Barbus barbus (Actinopterygii, Cyprinidae)|journal=Hydrobiologia|language=en|volume=819|issue=1|pages=259–273|doi=10.1007/s10750-018-3644-6|issn=1573-5117|doi-access=free}} Diatoms that cover rocks and the larvae of non-biting midges (Chironomidae) are particularly important foods for young fish.{{Cite journal|last1=Gutmann Roberts|first1=Catherine|last2=Britton|first2=J. Robert|date=2018|title=Quantifying trophic interactions and niche sizes of juvenile fishes in an invaded riverine cyprinid fish community|journal=Ecology of Freshwater Fish|language=en|volume=27|issue=4|pages=976–987|doi=10.1111/eff.12408|s2cid=90720417 |issn=1600-0633|url=https://e-space.mmu.ac.uk/621422/13/Supplementary_material_SCA_fish_R2.pdf}}

Males become mature after three to four years, females after five to eight years. Spawning occurs between May and late June on most rivers, when groups of males assemble in shallow water in pursuit of mates. Upstream migration to reach spawning grounds typically occurs between March and May, depending on water temperature.{{Cite journal|last1=Gutmann Roberts|first1=Catherine|last2=Hindes|first2=Andrew M.|last3=Britton|first3=J. Robert|date=2019-01-03|title=Factors influencing individual movements and behaviours of invasive European barbel Barbus barbus in a regulated river|journal=Hydrobiologia|volume=830|pages=213–228|language=en|doi=10.1007/s10750-018-3864-9|issn=1573-5117|doi-access=free}} Females produce between 8,000 and 12,000 eggs per kilogram of body weight, which are fertilised by males as they are released and deposited in shallow excavations in the gravel of the riverbed. Barbel bury their eggs below the gravel, creating redd-like pit and tailspill structures.{{Cite journal|last1=Roberts|first1=Catherine Gutmann|last2=Bašić|first2=Tea|last3=Britton|first3=J. Robert|last4=Rice|first4=Stephen|last5=Pledger|first5=Andrew G.|date=2020|title=Quantifying the habitat and zoogeomorphic capabilities of spawning European barbel Barbus barbus, a lithophilous cyprinid|journal=River Research and Applications|language=en|volume=36|issue=2|pages=259–279|doi=10.1002/rra.3573|issn=1535-1467|doi-access=free}} High amounts of fine sediment can be detrimental to the eggs and larvae of barbel, with emergence being delayed when sand content was above 30%.{{Cite journal|last1=Bašić|first1=Tea|last2=Britton|first2=J. Robert|last3=Rice|first3=Stephen P.|last4=Pledger|first4=Andrew G.|date=2019|title=Does sand content in spawning substrate result in early larval emergence? Evidence from a lithophilic cyprinid fish|journal=Ecology of Freshwater Fish|language=en|volume=28|issue=1|pages=110–122|doi=10.1111/eff.12435|s2cid=91480192 |issn=1600-0633|doi-access=free}} Barbel can spawn multiple times in captivity{{Cite journal|last=Poncin|first=P.|date=1992|title=Influence of the daily distribution of light on reproduction in the barbel, Barbus barbus (L.)|url=https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1095-8649.1992.tb02726.x|journal=Journal of Fish Biology|language=en|volume=41|issue=6|pages=993–997|doi=10.1111/j.1095-8649.1992.tb02726.x|issn=1095-8649|url-access=subscription}} and there is also evidence for multiple spawning either of individuals or across the population, in wild rivers.{{Cite journal|last1=Gutmann Roberts|first1=Catherine|last2=Britton|first2=J. Robert|date=2020-11-01|title=Spawning strategies in cypriniform fishes in a lowland river invaded by non-indigenous European barbel Barbus barbus|journal=Hydrobiologia|language=en|volume=847|issue=19|pages=4031–4047|doi=10.1007/s10750-020-04394-9|issn=1573-5117|doi-access=free}}

Parasites of B. barbus include Aspidogaster limacoides, a trematode flatworm;Schludermann C., Laimgruber S., Konecny R. & Schabuss M. (2005). "Aspidogaster limacoides DIESING, 1835 (Trematoda, Aspidogastridae): A new parasite of Barbus barbus (L.) (Pisces, Cyprinidae) in Austria". Annalen des Naturhistorischen Museums in Wien 106B: 141–144 Eustrongylides sp., a nematode; and Pomphorhynchus laevis, an acanthocephalan worm.{{Cite journal|last1=Nachev|first1=Milen|last2=Jochmann|first2=Maik A.|last3=Walter|first3=Friederike|last4=Wolbert|first4=J. Benjamin|last5=Schulte|first5=S. Marcel|last6=Schmidt|first6=Torsten C.|last7=Sures|first7=Bernd|date=2017-02-17|title=Understanding trophic interactions in host-parasite associations using stable isotopes of carbon and nitrogen|journal=Parasites & Vectors|volume=10|issue=1|pages=90|doi=10.1186/s13071-017-2030-y|issn=1756-3305|pmc=5316170|pmid=28212669 |doi-access=free }}{{cite journal|author=Djikanovic|author2=Gacic|author3=Cakic|name-list-style=amp|title=Endohelminth fauna of barbel Barbus barbus in the Serbian section of the Danube River|journal=Bulletin of the European Association of Fish Pathologists|date=2010|volume=30|issue=6|pages=229–236|url=http://eafp.org/download/2010-Volume30/Issue%206/Djikanovic.pdf|access-date=1 October 2015}}

The Barbel is a swete fysshe, but it is a quasy meete and perilous for mannys bodyA Treatyse of Fysshynge with an Angle (1496) Dame Juliana Berners

Many authors have noted the highly toxic nature of barbel roe when eaten by humans, including Dame Juliana Berners and Charles David Badham.{{cite book|author=David Badham|title=Prose Halieutics: Or, Ancient and Modern Fish Tattle|url=https://archive.org/details/prosehalieutics00badhgoog|access-date=12 November 2015|year=1854|publisher=J. W. Parker and son|page=[https://archive.org/details/prosehalieutics00badhgoog/page/n100 81]}}{{cite book|author=John Harrington Keene|title=The Practical Fisherman: Dealing with the Natural History, the Legendary Lore, the Capture of British Freshwater Fish, and Tackle and Tackle Making|url=https://archive.org/details/practicalfisher01keengoog|access-date=12 November 2015|year=1881|publisher=Bazaar Office|pages=[https://archive.org/details/practicalfisher01keengoog/page/n100 80]–81}} Badham relates the experience of Italian physician Antonio Gazius, who, he says, "took two boluses, and thus describes his sensations: 'At first I felt no inconvenience, but some hours having elapsed, I began to be disagreeably affected, and as my stomach swelled, and could not be brought down again by anise or carminatives, I was soon in a state of great depression and distress.' His countenance was pallid, like a man in a swoon, deadly coldness ensued, violent cholera and vomiting came after until the roe was passed, and then he became all right."

The use of barbel roe as a poison is mentioned in Nostradamus Les Prophéties, century VII, 24 :

{{poemquote|He who was buried will come out of the tomb,

he will make the strong one out of the bridge to be bound with chains.

Poisoned with the roe of a barbel,

the great one from Lorraine by the Marquis du Pont.}}

Despite the risks associated with eating barbel roe, several notable cookery authors have included recipes for barbel in their books. Mrs Beeton, for example, writes that they are in season in the winter months, and suggests simmering them with port and herbs.{{cite book|author=Mrs. Beeton (Isabella Mary)|title=The Book of Household Management|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=NgPhAAAAMAAJ|access-date=13 November 2015|year=1861|publisher=Farrar, Straus, and Giroux|page=229}} Also, in The Illustrated London Cookery Book by Frederick Bishop.{{cite book |chapter-url=https://archive.org/stream/cu31924001387111#page/n197/mode/2up/ |chapter=Salt and Freshwater Fish |title=The Illustrated London Cookery Book |first=Frederick |last=Bishop |location=London |date=1852 |page=158}}

File:River Wye barbel.jpg

The common barbel is a popular sport fish throughout its range, long prized by anglers for its power and stamina. Izaak Walton noted that "he will often break both rod and line if he proves to be a big one ... the Barbel affords an angler choice sport, being a lusty and a cunning fish; so lusty and cunning as to endanger the breaking of the angler's line, by running his head forcibly towards any covert, or hole, or bank, and then striking at the line, to break it off, with his tail".

Barbel fishing is especially popular in the UK, where it reaches a weight of over {{cvt|9|kg|lb}}.{{cite web|title=Britain's biggest barbel fish, the Big Lady, killed by otter|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/earth/wildlife/11772358/Britains-biggest-barbel-fish-the-Big-Lady-killed-by-otter.html|website=The Telegraph|access-date=1 October 2015|date=30 July 2015}} A fish of more than {{cvt|4.5|kg|lb|0}} is considered to be of specimen size. Famous UK barbel rivers include the Hampshire Avon, Dorset Stour, Trent, Kennet, Wye, River Severn at Bewdley, River Loddon near Reading and Great Ouse. Several angling societies exist in the UK which specifically promote the pursuit and conservation of the species, including the Barbel Society and the Barbel Catchers Club. Barbel conservation is important, for although populations appear robust in some larger river systems, localised populations can be vulnerable to environmental factors. For example, the relatively small River Wensum in the county of Norfolk was of national importance to barbel anglers from the 1970s until the early 2000s, at one time producing the British record fish. But in recent years the reintroduction of otters in the river catchment (together with siltation of spawning gravels) has had a devastating effect on the barbel population as they are easy to catch in the shallow, clear river. Now only a fragmented population remains, and barbel may be on their way to local extinction.{{cite web |title=Could otters kill the next record barbel? |url=https://www.anglingtimes.co.uk/fishing-news/2009/could-otters-kill-the-next-record-barbel |website=Angling Times |publisher=Bauer Media Group |access-date=5 August 2020}}

Baits for catching barbel vary widely according to local practices and conditions. In the UK, popular baits include tinned luncheon meat, fishmeal-based pellets, hemp seed, maggots, and boilies. In areas with high angling activity fishmeal-based pellets could constitute up to 71% of the barbel diet.{{Cite journal|last1=Gutmann Roberts|first1=Catherine|last2=Bašić|first2=Tea|last3=Trigo|first3=Fatima Amat|last4=Britton|first4=J. Robert|date=2017|title=Trophic consequences for riverine cyprinid fishes of angler subsidies based on marine-derived nutrients|journal=Freshwater Biology|language=en|volume=62|issue=5|pages=894–905|doi=10.1111/fwb.12910|s2cid=90349366 |issn=1365-2427|url=http://eprints.bournemouth.ac.uk/26407/1/Marine%20derived%20nutrients%20in%20cyprinids_Freshwater%20Biology.pdf}} In France, many anglers still use natural baits, especially caddis larvae, which they collect from the stones and gravel near the fish's feeding areas.{{cite web|author1=John Bailey|title=French Barbel|url=http://www.fishing.co.uk/article.php3?id=1147|website=Fishing.co.uk|access-date=5 October 2015|date=24 April 2000}} In Poland, they are often targeted by fly-fishing.{{cite web|url=https://flyfishinginpoland.com/barbel-barbus-barbus/|website=Fly Fishing in Poland|title=Barbel Barbus barbus}}

Barbel are often stocked into still waters, but are predominantly a river-dwelling fish and are sought by many anglers. They may not be the most elusive fish in the river; in the right conditions they are fairly easy to catch. They are hardy fish who will fight right until the landing net is slipped under them. Despite this hardy nature in the water they do not cope well out of the water, and must be returned safely and quickly. It is good practice to support the fish in the water until it is fully recovered and swims away on its own.{{cite web |url=http://www.sicm.org/anglingdiary/Thebeginnersguidetobarbel...thespecies.html |title=Stewart Bloor's Angling Journal The beginner's guide to barbel...the species |access-date=2011-04-19 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120313010502/http://www.sicm.org/anglingdiary/Thebeginnersguidetobarbel...thespecies.html |archive-date=2012-03-13 }}

The UK and European Barbel record of {{cvt|9.59|kg|lboz|order=flip}} was landed by Colin Smithson from the River Rother at Fittleworth West Sussex in 2019.{{cite news|url=https://uk-fisheries.co.uk/news/record-breaking-barbel-landed-secretly-2019-21-lb-2oz/ |title=Record Breaking Barbel |work=uk-fisheries.co.uk |access-date=20 July 2023}}{{cite web|url=https://anglingtrust.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/BRFC_COARSE_FISH_LISTINGS_July-2021.pdf|title=Coarse Fish Records as at July 2021|date=19 July 2021|access-date=15 January 2024|website=British Record Fish Committee |publisher=Angling Trust}}

==References==

{{Reflist}}

{{Commons category|Barbus barbus}}

• [http://www.thebarbelsociety.co.uk/ UK Barbel Society website]
• [http://www.barbelcatchersclub.co.uk/ UK Barbel Catchers Club website]
• [http://www.fishbase.org/Photos/ThumbnailsSummary.php?Genus=Barbus&Species=barbus Photos from Fishbase]

{{Taxonbar|from=Q326219}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Common barbel}}

Category:Barbus

Category:Cyprinid fish of Europe

Category:Fish described in 1758

Category:Taxa named by Carl Linnaeus