Kingdom Animalia Order Cypriniformes Genus Barbus (disputed) Higher classification Barbus | Phylum Chordata Family Cyprinidae Scientific name Barbus albanicus Rank Species | |
Similar Barbus, Cyprinidae, Luciobarbus graecus, Cypriniformes, Barbus balcanicus | ||
Barbus albanicus is a ray-finned fish species in the family Cyprinidae. It is often referred to as "Albanian barbel" in a literal translation of its scientific name Barbus albanicus. However, this is misleading, as it was thus called on the assumption that it occurs in Albania, which it apparently does not. Rather, it is endemic to western Greece.
In addition, B. albanicus has – like its close relative the red-tailed barbel (Barbus haasi) and the slightly more distantly related Ebro barbel (Luciobarbus graellsii) – also been placed in Messinobarbus. But even if that genus is valid, it is probably incorrect to do so.
Distribution and ecology
It occurs from the Mornos' to the Thyamis Rivers' drainage basins, and in Lake Amvrakia, Ioannina and Trichonida; it is absent from the Acheron and its tributaries, however. In addition, it is also found in the Pineios River's drainage basin on the Peloponnese. Though its range is not large, it is quite abundant and not considered a threatened species by the IUCN.
The natural habitats of this fish are the lower course of rivers, lakes and water storage areas, over muddy or sandy bottom. Larvae and young fish gather in schools containing few if any other fishes in brackish bays and harbours. Adults are more solitary and live preferably in freshwater. L. albanicus is an omnivore, eating aquatic invertebrates (mainly insect larvae), algae and other plants, and detritus. They spawn in late spring to mid-summer (May to July) in slow-moving water over sandy ground at lake beaches and in river estuaries. A single female's eggs will be fertilised by the sperm of several (up to 7) males. This species becomes sexually mature at 3 or 4 years of age. It is long-lived, and can get up to 14 years old.