Common barbel

Barbus barbus

Русское название: Усач обыкновенный

A bottom-feeding river fish with four conspicuous barbels near the mouth. Spawning relies on suitable gravel beds. Siltation and barriers can damage important habitat.

✳ Scientific names are used to reduce confusion between local names.

Photograph of Barbus barbus — View author & license · Wikimedia Commons ↗

◎Distribution

Rivers of central and western Europe

♧Habitat

Flowing rivers with gravelly substrates

✺Identification limits

Images and brief descriptions are for learning, not for reliably identifying a specimen. Take particular care with poisonous plants and mushrooms.

Further reading and image creditsBarbus barbus — Wikipedia overview ↗Photo, author and license — Wikimedia Commons ↗

Identification is never guaranteed by a photo. Scientific names are used to reduce confusion between local names.

THE WORLD ATLAS

Related species

Explore this group ↗

↗

Abramis bramaFreshwater

Common bream

A deep-bodied, laterally compressed fish with a protrusible mouth adapted to bottom-feeding.

Open species profile ↗ⓘ Photo, author and license

↗

Alburnus alburnusFreshwater

Common bleak

A small silvery shoaling fish often visible near the surface.

Open species profile ↗ⓘ Photo, author and license

↗

Carassius carassiusFreshwater

Crucian carp

A resilient freshwater fish able to tolerate low-oxygen conditions.

Open species profile ↗ⓘ Photo, author and license

Guides from this topic

Six common freshwater fish in Europe: names and habitatsMeet pike, perch, trout, zander, tench and carp with scientific names and conservation context.Fishing responsibly: clean gear before moving between watersRods, boots, nets and boats can transport organisms that harm another lake or river.Catch and release: how to reduce harm to fishWet hands, minimal handling and quick release can make a real difference.