Scottish Coarse Fish Species - Barbel
Latin Name - Barbus Barbus
The barbel is a species introduced to Scotland relatively recently. There is a small but important population in the lower River Clyde but they are rarely caught with the notable exception of the Scottish Record fish.
Scottish Record -
| 8lb 12oz | 3.969 kg | River Clyde | A. G. McLellan | 1997 |
Picture & Story Of Record Fish Here
|
Weight
|
Rarely 6.4kg (14lb), very few over 7.3kg (16lb) |
|
Length
|
Attain 100cm, very few over 130cm |
|
Age
|
Maximum 25 years |
|
Location
|
Rivers, occasionally stocked in still waters |
|
Behaviour
|
Shoaling in small groups, close to the river bed |
|
Preferred
habitat
|
Fast water, gravel, weed, 15-22°C |
|
Feeding
|
Gravel foraging, dawn to dusk, opt. temperature 15°C |
|
Natural
food
|
Insect larvae, crustaceans, molluscs, small fish |
|
Maturity
|
Males 3-4 years, females 5-8 years |
|
Fecundity
|
8,000-12,000 eggs per kg of body weight |
|
Spawning
times
|
May-July, in water 14-20°C |
|
Spawning
|
Gravel, typically 10-40mm diameter |
|
Migratory
habits
|
Home range 2-20km |
|
Predators
|
Juveniles taken by pike and chub |