Macedonian Barbel

Diagnosed from other species of Barbus and Luciobarbus in Balkan Peninsula by the following characters: length of last simple dorsal ray conspicuously greater than head depth, posterior margin concave; last simple dorsal ray spinous, strong, serrated posteriorly along at least half of its length; 53-59 + 3-4 scales on lateral line; 14-17 scale rows between lateral line and dorsal origin; lower lip thick, with swollen median pad or short lobe; juveniles with dark marks on flank (Ref. 59043).

Inhabits main rivers, stretches with fast current, over stone and gravel bottom. Attains up to about 65 cm SL (Ref. 59043).

Barbus macedonicus is a species of cyprinid fish.

It is found only in rivers Vardar, Pineios, Haliacmon and Loudias in northern Greece and North Macedonia.

It is threatened by habitat loss, water extraction, pollution and overfishing. Greece has a general fishing law but it is not enforced.