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Lizard barbel (Barbus lacerta) — Cyprinidae

Lizard barbel

Barbus lacerta
Family: Cyprinidae

The Lizard barbel (Barbus lacerta) is a freshwater fish of the family Cyprinidae that grows up to 38 cm.

Length
37.5 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Schooling
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Open water
Danger
Harmless

Description

The Lizard barbel is a barb (Cyprinidae) from rivers, streams and lakes of the Tigris and Euphrates system in the Middle East. The species grows to about 12 cm and has an elongate, silvery body with large scales and often barbels by the mouth. As a social schooling fish it searches for insect larvae, small invertebrates, algae and plant matter. It is locally a food fish. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Lizard barbel?

The Lizard barbel has a torpedo-shaped body and is mainly silver-grey.

Where does the Lizard barbel live?

The Lizard barbel lives in fresh water and is mostly found around open water.

How big does the Lizard barbel get?

The Lizard barbel grows to a maximum of about 38 cm.

Is the Lizard barbel dangerous to humans?

No, the Lizard barbel is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Hagedis-barbeel sourced
English name
Lizard barbel sourced
Scientific name
Barbus lacerta
Family
Cyprinidae
Other names
Ercis barbel; Ercis barbell; Kosswig's barbell; Kura barbel; Kura barbell verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
37.5 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Open water 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
Te vangen met natuurlijk aas of kunstaas, afgestemd op de grootte en het leefgebied van de soort. 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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