Barbel (Barbus barbus)
Average Weight - In the UK, an average Barbel grows to 20-35 inches (0.5-0.9m) in length and weighs between 6-10 lbs (2.6-4.5kg).
Distribution - Originally found only in some British rivers flowing into the North Sea, the Barbel's popularity as a sport fish has led to it being stocked in many other suitable rivers. The Barbel in two of the most famous Barbel rivers - the Hampshire River Avon and the River Severn - are the result of stocking. There has been no successful stocking of rivers in Ireland or Scotland.
These fish are well adapted for bottom feeding in fast-flowing rivers. Their long, pointed heads with underslung mouths are ideal for digging around in the gravel over which they prefer to live.
The 'barbels' of the Barbel - the distinctive feelers after which they are named - are extremely sensitive to touch and taste and so are very useful in scouring the bottom in search of insect larvae and other tasty morsels.
Barbel also eat small fish, especially those living on the bottom of the river, such as Loach and Bullheads. Hard foods present no difficulty as Barbel, like all members of the Carp family, have powerful crushing teeth in their throats.
In winter, when the water is colder, Barbel feed with less enthusiasm. But in the floodwater conditions common in winter and early spring, Barbel can become highly active, feasting on the prey animals washed into the river.
Barbel spawn between May and July, when they make their way upstream in large shoals to gravel beds in shallow water.
Once there, the Female Barbel makes a 'Redd' (a depression in the gravel for the spawn), where the sticky eggs are fertilized.
After spawning, the exhausted Barbel rest up in still water under the banks until they have regained their strength.
Young Barbel appear dappled and are covered with numerous dark spots and blotches.
It is easy to mistake one of these for a large Gudgeon, though Gudgeon have only two 'barbels'.
They reach maturity after about four to five years, when they are anything from 25-75cm (10-30in) long. A 50cm (20in) barbel weighs about 51b (2.3kg).
In common with many other coarse fish, Barbel specimens from the Continent are usually bigger and can reach 20lb (9kg). The warmer weather provides longer periods of rich feeding in the summer.
Barbel in beautiful condition
In the 1960s and 70s, water was drained from much of the land and many of the rivers in South East England to make it suitable for arable farming.
This reduced both the water tables and the levels of the rivers. Such water abstraction causes many rivers to silt up and can ruin the Barbel's favourite gravel beds.
Drainage also results in loss of weed and bankside cover. These problems have made life difficult for many fish, but especially for the Barbel which has suffered in some waters and has even been lost to stretches of others.
