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Mursa barbel (Luciobarbus mursa) — Cyprinidae

Mursa barbel

Luciobarbus mursa
Family: Cyprinidae

The Mursa barbel (Luciobarbus mursa) is a freshwater fish of the family Cyprinidae that grows up to 40 cm.

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

Description

The mursa barbel is a freshwater barb (Cyprinidae) from the Kura drainage and adjacent rivers of the Caspian region of West Asia. The species grows to about 40 cm and has a streamlined, silvery body with an inferior mouth and two pairs of barbels. As a bottom-oriented omnivore it lives in flowing rivers and searches for insect larvae, molluscs, algae and detritus. It is a local food fish. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Mursa barbel?

The Mursa barbel has an elongate, eel-like body and is mainly silver-grey.

Where does the Mursa barbel live?

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

How big does the Mursa barbel get?

The Mursa barbel grows to a maximum of about 40 cm.

Is the Mursa barbel dangerous to humans?

No, the Mursa barbel is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Mursa-barbeel sourced
English name
Mursa barbel sourced
Scientific name
Luciobarbus mursa
Family
Cyprinidae
Other names
Mursa sourced

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
39.5 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Inferior (downward) sourced
Barbels
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore inferred
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 Luciobarbus

More from the family Cyprinidae

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