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Barbel chub (Squaliobarbus curriculus) — Cyprinidae

Barbel chub

Squaliobarbus curriculus
Family: Cyprinidae
LC · Least Concern

The Barbel chub (Squaliobarbus curriculus) is a brackish-water fish of the family Cyprinidae that grows up to 49 cm.

Length
48.8 cm
Water
Brackish
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Large groups
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Description

The barbel chub is a cyprinid (Cyprinidae) from East Asia. The species has an elongate, streamlined, silvery body with fine dark lengthwise lines and two short barbels. It inhabits rivers and larger streams, where it lives in the open water layers and occurs in schools. As an omnivore it feeds on insects, small invertebrates, algae and plant matter. It is a valued food fish. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Barbel chub?

The Barbel chub has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a horizontal stripes pattern.

Where does the Barbel chub live?

The Barbel chub lives in brackish water and is mostly found around mixed bottom.

How big does the Barbel chub get?

The Barbel chub grows to a maximum of about 49 cm. On average the species is around 13 cm.

Is the Barbel chub dangerous to humans?

No, the Barbel chub is harmless to humans.

Is the Barbel chub edible?

Yes, the Barbel chub is commonly eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Barbeelkopvoorn sourced
English name
Barbel chub verified
Scientific name
Squaliobarbus curriculus
Family
Cyprinidae
Other names
Barbel chub verified

Appearance

Size class
Large verified
Max length (cm)
48.8 verified
Average length (cm)
12.8 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey inferred
Pattern
Horizontal stripes inferred
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Terminal inferred
Lips
Thin inferred
Barbels
Yes sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous inferred
Dorsal spines
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Brackish sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Large groups inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Diurnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten sourced
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 sourced

Status & sources

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

More from the family Cyprinidae

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