Iberian barbel facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Iberian barbel |
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Barbus comizo Steindachner, 1864 |
The Iberian barbel (Luciobarbus comizo) is a type of ray-finned fish. This means it has fins supported by bony spines. It belongs to the family called Cyprinidae, which includes carps and minnows. This large fish can grow to be over 50 cm (20 in) long!
About the Iberian Barbel
The Iberian barbel is very similar to other barbel fish. Some scientists even think it might be a subgenus of the Barbus group.
Sometimes, the Iberian barbel mates with a very similar fish called L. bocagei. This creates natural hybrid fish. These hybrids are common in the middle part of the Tagus River. It can be tricky to tell the two species and their hybrids apart.
Telling Them Apart
The Iberian barbel has a longer and narrower body. The last strong ray in its dorsal fin (the fin on its back) has more widely spaced bumps. The hybrid fish look like a mix of both parent species.
These two barbel species also prefer different parts of the river. L. bocagei likes water that moves a bit faster. The Iberian barbel prefers slower, deeper water.
Where It Lives
The Iberian barbel is found only in the Iberian Peninsula. This area includes both Portugal and Spain. It lives in the slow-moving parts of rivers and reservoirs. You can find it in the Tagus and Guadiana River areas.
Its favorite habitat is deep water that is almost still. This water often has many aquatic plants.
Why It Needs Help
The number of Iberian barbels has dropped a lot since the 1990s. This is mainly because too much water is taken for agriculture. Pollution also harms their homes. Another problem is competition with introduced species, which are fish brought in from other places.
Scientists are not sure if mating with L. bocagei also affects their numbers. Dams and other buildings have changed how rivers flow. This means the two barbel species might meet more often when they lay eggs. However, dams can also slow down the river, which might actually help the Iberian barbel.
The biggest threat to the Iberian barbel is still the overuse of water for farming. It is not as common as it used to be. Because of this, the IUCN (a group that tracks endangered species) lists it as a Vulnerable species.
The Iberian barbel is also protected by several important laws. It is listed in the European Union's Habitats Directive. This means special areas should be set aside to protect it. It is also protected by the Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats. These laws help to limit fishing and protect its habitat.
See also
- Water supply and sanitation in Spain#Links to water resources
