Brook Barbel

Diagnosed from its congeners in Apennine Peninsula by having the following characters: 36-47 + 2-3 scales on lateral line; 22-24 scale rows around caudal peduncle; back, sides and fins speckled with large, irregular black spots and blotches; peritoneum black; last simple dorsal ray flexible, not serrated posteriorly; lower lip produced posteriorly into a median lobe (Ref. 59043). Fins are thick and fleshy; caudal fin lobes are rounded (Ref. 31730).

Dorsal soft rays (total): 78

Tends to inhabit strong currents around or under stones (Ref. 31730). Occurs in streams with swift water in hilly, sub-alpine areas. Preys on benthic invertebrates. Spawns in areas with fast-flowing water on gravel bottom. Still commonly found in suitable habitats, but number of spawning grounds has decline sharply (Ref. 59043).

The brook barbel (Barbus caninus') is a species of ray-finned fish in the family Cyprinidae. It is found in Italy and Switzerland. Its natural habitat is rivers. It is threatened by habitat degradation and by competition from the introduced B. barbus and B. graellsi.