Greek barbel
(Luciobarbus graecus)

It is a large barbel and can grow to almost 70 cm (28 in) long, with some lake speciments up to 110 cm.

The lateral line extends along the whole body, which is rather large-scaled, with usually 45 to 46 scales along the lateral line, 8 rows above it and 6 rows below. The pectoral fins usually have 17 fin rays. Its fins tend to be larger on average than in its relatives, and the anal fin usually begins somewhat closer to the fairly blunt (for a Luciobarbus) snout. Its eyes are large and the head is high and narrow by the standards of its genus.

Like its relatives, it has four barbels, but these are slightly shorter on average than in its relatives.

Unlike in L. lydianus, its lips are not markedly swollen and of equal size; it also lacks the black spot at the root of each body scale, but has a rather prominent black rim to each body scale. It is otherwise unmarked greyish-brown above, on the sides and on most fins, and pale yellowish below and on the ventral and anal fins.

This species mainly occurs in Greece, but its range barely seems to extend into Albania. It is found in the Spercheios River drainage basin. It also occurs in the Cephissus River[verification needed] and in Lake Yliki. In former times it was found in Lake Paralimni, but this has been drained. It inhabits lakes and slow-moving rivers. Spawning occurs in June over sandy ground.

Endemic to Lakes Yliki and Paralimni in the Beotian Kifissos basin and Sperchios River. Recently introduced to the adjacent basins of artificial Lake Beletsi (Mt. Parnitha) and Lake Marathon in Attica. Also found in 2014 in Kifissos River, Attica, probably introduced.

The species inhabits water bodies in lowland plains, lakes, rivers and larger streams.

An exceptionally large individual of 110 cm TL was recently recorded in Lake Yliki (HCMR data).