Barbus barbus - Barbel
Barbel have been introduced into some of the rivers of eastern Wales -
notably the Wye, the Dee and the upper Severn - and they have done well
there (much to the annoyance of some of the game fishery owners, who
perceive barbel as competing for food and for spawning area with salmon).
The streamlined barbel can hug the river bed in fast flows
while feeding on passing invertebrates. Freshwater shrimps, nymphs and
caddis larvae are their staple diet, but they will also take small fishes,
crayfish and swan mussels.
Barbel are long-lived fish and can grow to well over 10lb
(4kg). The British record barbel, caught on the River Great Ouse in 2001, weighed 19lb 6oz (over
8kg).
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