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Longhead barbel (Luciobarbus longiceps) — Cyprinidae

Longhead barbel

Luciobarbus longiceps
Family: Cyprinidae

The Longhead barbel (Luciobarbus longiceps) is a freshwater fish of the family Cyprinidae that grows up to 50 cm.

Length
50 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Omnivore
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless

Description

The Longhead barbel is a large cyprinid (Cyprinidae) from fresh water of the Jordan and Orontes systems in the Middle East. The species grows to about 40 cm and has an elongate, silvery body with an inferior mouth and barbels. As a bottom-oriented fish it roots in sand and gravel bottoms of rivers and lakes for molluscs, insect larvae, crustaceans and plant material. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Longhead barbel?

The Longhead barbel has a torpedo-shaped body and is mainly silver-grey.

Where does the Longhead barbel live?

The Longhead barbel lives in fresh water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom.

How big does the Longhead barbel get?

The Longhead barbel grows to a maximum of about 50 cm. On average the species is around 30 cm.

Is the Longhead barbel dangerous to humans?

No, the Longhead barbel is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Langkop-barbeel sourced
English name
Longhead barbel sourced
Scientific name
Luciobarbus longiceps
Family
Cyprinidae

Appearance

Size class
Large verified
Max length (cm)
50.0 verified
Average length (cm)
30.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Inferior (downward) sourced
Barbels
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Diurnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Fishing method
Bodemvissen met natuurlijk aas (worm, garnaal of vis) op of vlak boven de bodem. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Luciobarbus

More from the family Cyprinidae

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