Barbunul | Facts & Information

Barbunul

The barbel is a freshwater fish that belongs to the Cyprinidae family and the Barbus genus. This species is widespread in Europe, from rivers and lakes in the North Sea and Black Sea basins to rivers in the Balkan and Italian Peninsula.

This fish has a distinctive appearance that makes it easily recognizable. Its body is elongated, strongly laterally compressed, and covered with large scales. You can easily recognize it by the red-orange color of the scales on the lower part of its body, which contributes to its popular name "barbel." It also has a sharp and irritating snout called a pronință, which helps it feed on algae and small organisms.

The barbel lives in rivers with flowing water and medium depths. It chooses habitats with clear and clean water, as well as a rocky or sandy substrate. It usually prefers rivers with rich vegetation, as they provide shelter and abundant food. Although it is not a migratory species, barbel can move upstream during the breeding season.

The diet of this fish consists mainly of algae, phytoplankton, and zooplankton. It also feeds on insect larvae, crustaceans, and mollusks, which it finds in the river substrate. Barbel are omnivorous fish, but their diet changes depending on the season and the availability of food resources.

During the breeding season, which takes place in spring and summer, barbel change their behavior and become more agitated. They choose shallow areas with dense vegetation and a rocky substrate, where they gather in large groups to reproduce. Typically, the female deposits the eggs in aquatic vegetation, and the male fertilizes them immediately. The eggs remain attached to plants and stay in the water for two weeks until hatching.

The barbel is quite popular in sport fishing, thanks to its strong resistance and the beauty of its scales. They captivate anglers with their fighting characteristics and enjoy the increasing popularity of the sport. Also, the barbel is appreciated for its tasty and nutritious meat, having commercial value in certain regions.

However, the barbel also faces certain threats. Pollution, habitat destruction, and overfishing have led to a decline in populations in some rivers. Therefore, it is important to protect and conserve this fish. Some organizations and government institutions are currently working on establishing protection measures and habitat management to ensure the survival and well-being of the barbel.

In conclusion, the barbel is a widespread freshwater fish in Europe that belongs to the Cyprinidae family and the Barbus genus. It has a red-orange color on the scales of the lower part of its body, which gives it the popular name "barbel." It lives in rivers with flowing water and prefers habitats with clear water and rich vegetation. The barbel is an omnivorous fish that feeds on algae, insect larvae, and crustaceans. During the breeding season, it gathers in large groups and deposits its eggs in aquatic vegetation. The fish is sought after in both sport fishing and for its tasty meat. However, it is important to protect and conserve the barbel habitat to ensure its long-term survival.