Peloponnese Barbel

Diagnosed from other species of Barbus and Luciobarbus in Balkan Peninsula by having the following characters: last simple dorsal ray not stronger than branched rays, not serrated posteriorly; 47-53 + 2-3 scales on lateral line; 5-7 scale rows between lateral and pelvic base; small black spots (plain in some populations from Peloponnese) on head and body; often faint dark stripes or faint rows of dark spots along scale rows; lower lip with a median swollen pad (Ref. 59043).

Males and females splash during spawning (peaks in evening, at sunset). Individual females actively dig holes with anal, into which eggs are released (Ref. 59043). Fractional spawner (Ref. 59043).

Dorsal soft rays (total): 79

Occurs in lakes and in water bodies on low-lying plains, with little current (Ref. 26100). Found in lower and upper parts of streams with stone bottom and current. Feeds on aquatic invertebrates (Ref. 59043). Threatened by water abstraction (Ref. 26100). Attains a maximum size of about 19 cm SL (Ref. 59043).

fisheries: commercial; gamefish: yes

Barbus peloponnesius is a ray-finned fish species in the family Cyprinidae. The western Balkan barbel (B. rebeli) is sometimes included in the present species.

It is found only in Greece and Bulgaria. Its natural habitats are rivers and freshwater lakes. It is not considered a threatened species by the IUCN, however a subspecies, Barbus peloponnesius petenyi, is protected and considered threatened. The latter can be found in the Danube basin, particularly in areas of the Duna-Ipoly National Park in Hungary.