Iberian barbel
(Luciobarbus comizo)
General data
The Iberian barbel (Luciobarbus comizo) is a ray-finned fish species in the family Cyprinidae. It is here placed in Luciobarbus following the IUCN, but that genus is very closely related to the other typical barbels and perhaps better considered a mere subgenus of Barbus.
This large barbel can grow to over 50 cm (20 in) long.
Max length: 80.0 cm SL
Distribution
Europe: Portugal and Spain in Tagus and Guadiana drainages.
Extirpated in Guadalquivir drainage, Spain
Diagnosed from other species of Barbus and Luciobarbus in Iberian Peninsula by having the following characters: orbit touching or protruding out of dorsal head profile when viewed laterally; dorsal head profile concave in adults; last simple dorsal ray spinous, strongly serrated posteriorly; lower lip thin, without medina lobe; tip of lower jaw covered by lower lip; lateral line with 48-53 scales; head length 27-34% SL; and snout length 2.3-2.8 times in HL (Ref. 59043).
Inhabit middle and lower reaches, in deep and slow water, with abundant submerged plants. Feed on invertebrates, plants, and fish. Juveniles prey on invertebrates while large adult individuals are mainly piscivorous. Spawn probably in May-June.
Threatened by pollution, habitat destruction, the introduction of new species, and water abstraction.
