The Barbel (Barbus), is a genus of fresh-water fishes of the carp family, distinguished by the four fleshy filaments growing from the lips, two at the nose and one ay each corner of the mouth, forming the kind of beard to which the genus owes its name. Of the several species the European Barbuis vulgaris, common in most rivers, has an average length of from 30 to 45 cm, and in form and habits strongly resembles the pike. Its body is elongated and rounded, olive-coloured above and bluish on the sides, and covered with small scales. The upper jaw, which is much longer than the lower, forms a snout, with which it bores into the mud for worms, insects, aquatic plants etc. It is common in the Thames, where it gives good sport to the angler; but its flesh is very coarse, and at the time of spawning the roe is dangerous to eat. Research Barbel
Abbreviations
Nature
Research Barbel