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Danube barbel (Barbus balcanicus) — Cyprinidae

Danube barbel

Barbus balcanicus
Family: Cyprinidae

The Danube barbel (Barbus balcanicus) is a freshwater fish of the family Cyprinidae that grows up to 18 cm.

Length
17.5 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Schooling
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless

Description

The Danube barbel is a cyprinid (Cyprinidae) from fresh water of the Danube basin and adjacent rivers in the Balkans of southeastern Europe. The species grows to about 17 cm and has a yellow-brown, streamlined body. As a schooling fish it swims in flowing, gravelly rivers and streams and eats small invertebrates, insects, algae and detritus. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Danube barbel?

The Danube barbel has an elongate, eel-like body and is mainly brown.

Where does the Danube barbel live?

The Danube barbel lives in fresh water and is mostly found around mixed bottom.

How big does the Danube barbel get?

The Danube barbel grows to a maximum of about 18 cm.

Is the Danube barbel dangerous to humans?

No, the Danube barbel is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Balkan-barbeel sourced
English name
Danube barbel sourced
Scientific name
Barbus balcanicus
Family
Cyprinidae

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
17.5 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore inferred
Social behaviour
Schooling sourced
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Diurnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Fishing method
Bodemvissen met natuurlijk aas (worm, garnaal of vis) op of vlak boven de bodem. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Barbus

More from the family Cyprinidae

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