Albanian barbel facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Albanian barbel |
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Barbus albanicus Steindachner, 1870 (but see text) |
The Albanian barbel (Luciobarbus albanicus) is a type of ray-finned fish. This means it has fins supported by bony spines, like many fish you might know. It belongs to the family called Cyprinidae, which includes carps and minnows. People often call it the "Albanian barbel" because that's what its scientific name means!
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Where the Albanian Barbel Lives
This fish lives in certain rivers and lakes in Greece. You can find it in the river systems from the Mornos River to the Thyamis River. It also lives in lakes like Lake Amvrakia, Ioannina, and Trichonida.
However, you won't find it in the Acheron River or its smaller streams. It also lives in the Pineios River area on the Peloponnese peninsula. Even though it lives in a specific area, there are many Albanian barbels, so it's not considered an endangered species by the IUCN.
What the Albanian Barbel Likes
This fish enjoys living in the lower parts of rivers, in lakes, and in places where water is stored. They prefer areas with muddy or sandy bottoms.
When they are very young, like larvae or small fish, they swim together in schools. These schools usually only have other young Albanian barbels. You might find these young fish in brackish bays (where fresh and salt water mix) and harbors.
As they grow up, adult fish tend to be more on their own. They prefer to live in freshwater environments.
What the Albanian Barbel Eats
The Albanian barbel is an omnivore, which means it eats both plants and animals. Their diet includes aquatic invertebrates, especially insect larvae that live in the water. They also munch on algae and other water plants. Sometimes, they even eat detritus, which is dead plant or animal matter.
Life Cycle and Reproduction
Albanian barbels reproduce from late spring to mid-summer, usually between May and July. They lay their eggs in slow-moving water. This often happens on sandy parts of lake beaches or in river estuaries (where a river meets the sea).
When a female lays her eggs, they can be fertilized by the sperm of several males. Up to seven different males might help fertilize the eggs from one female! These fish become ready to have their own babies when they are about 3 or 4 years old. They can live for a long time, sometimes up to 14 years!
