Thessalian Barbel

Diagnosis: Unbranched rays of dorsal fin 8; branched rays of dorsal fin 8; unbranched rays of anal fin 3; branched rays of anal fin 5; unbranched rays of pectoral fin 1; branched rays of pectoral fin 15-17; unbranched rays of ventral fin 2; branched rays of ventral fin (7); caudal fin 19; lateral line scales 54-63; scales above the lateral line 13-15(16); scales below lateral line 7-10; pharyngeal teeth 5.3.2-2.3.5; branchial spines 11-12(14); vertebrae 43-44. Body shape typical of the genus. Mouth inferior with thick and fleshy lips, covered by papillae on the entire surface. Lower lip delimited from the mentum by a grove, having a large median lobe. Last unbranched ray of the dorsal fin spiny, more slender than that of B. barbus. About two denticles per millimeter along the basal half of dorsal's fin posterior margin. No denticles along its apical half. This spiny ray is higher than that of B. macedonicus, with height varying between 20.8 and 23.3 % of standard length. Dorsal fin with concave margin. Head shorter than in the most of the other Barbus species with spiny dorsal rays, ranging from 20.4 to 21.7% of standard length (Ref. 56080).

The species, and especially the large individuals, live in the main part of the River Pinios. Smaller specimens can also be present in the tributaries and irrigation channels. It prefers stony and gravelly bottoms. Sometimes lives with its sympatric species B. cyclolepis. Normally, it prefers tree roots and stones along the river banks as refuge places. Its feeding habits are not well known. It searches for food mainly in the bottom and very often consumes plenty of mud (Ref. 56080).

The species, and especially the large individuals, live in the main part of the River Pinios. Smaller specimens can also be present in the tributaries and irrigation channels. It prefers stony and gravelly bottoms. Sometimes lives with its sympatric species B. cyclolepis. Normally, it prefers tree roots and stones along the river banks as refuge places. Its feeding habits are not well known. It searches for food mainly in the bottom and very often consumes plenty of mud. Spawning period late in spring, from May to June. Of little commercial value, caught and consumed locally (Ref. 56080).

Thessalian barbel (Barbus thessalus) is a species of ray-finned fish in the genus Barbus. It is endemic to Greece.