Mesopotamian barbel
📖 Overview
Prefers lentic, high oxygen habitats but may occur in reservoirs. Feeds on mollusks based on teeth but also takes algae and detritus. Reported to spawn in shallow gravel beds. Threatened by exploitation for food, habitat loss, eutrophication, dam construction and water abstraction .
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Dorsal soft rays (total): 8. Distinguished by the following unique characters: quincunx-like pattern of spots; dorsal fin with 8 branched rays; anal fin with 5 branched rays; lateral line scales 75-88 ; and inner pharyngeal teeth molariform, with formula 2,3,3-3,3,2 .: fusiform / normal.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Mesopotamian barbel is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
🥚 Reproduction
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Freshwater; benthopelagic. Subtropical endemic to the Tigris-Euphrates basin of Turkey, Syria, Iraq and Iran.
🌿 Ecology
mollusks based on teeth but also takes algae and detritus
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
🛡️ Conservation Assessment
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
🌐 Names & Taxonomy
| Language | Common Names |
|---|---|
| 🇬🇧English | Leopard barbel · Mesopotamian barbel · Spot barb |
| 🇸🇦Arabic | Abou khazzama · A’djzan · Nabish · بربل النمر · بربل بلاد ما بين النهرين · سمك ذو الحساسات الفهدي · سمك ما بين النهرين ذو الحساسات |
| 🌍CES | parmička mezopotámská |
| 🌍FAS | Soleimani · Solimani · Sos mahi · سس ماهي · سليماني |
| 🌍TUR | Benekli barbus · Bıyıklı balık · Komando balığı |
| 🇨🇳Chinese | 美索不達米亞魮 |
Scientific Synonyms
| Scientific Name | Author | Year | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Barbus subquincunciatus | Günther | 1868 | Synonym |
🦠 Common Diseases
The following diseases are known to affect Mesopotamian barbel.
🔍 Similar Species
🗺️ Global Occurrence Map
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 1 records indexed .
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