Romanian Barbel

Diagnosed from other species of Barbus and Luciobarbus in Balkan Peninsula and Danube drainage by the following characters: last simple dorsal ray weak, not serrated posteriorly, segmented along entire length; lower lip thick, with a pendulous median lobe; usually 9-11 scale rows between lateral line and dorsal-fin origin; usually 8-10 scale rows between lateral and pelvic-fin origin; top of head plain with small black dots, smaller than pupil; check and opercle with dark dots; paired fins unspotted, rays unpigmented or with a few dark pigments not forming dark bars; body with dark dots and blotches much darker than background; and caudal fin with elongate spots, larger than pupil diameter (Ref. 59043).

Inhabits the upper and middle stretches of streams and small rivers with fast, clear and well oxygenated water. Still common in suitable habitats. Decline of its population is suspected and expected to continue gradually due to on-going economic development. Attains a maximum size up to at least 25 cm SL (Ref. 59043).

The Romanian barbel (Barbus petenyi) is a species of ray-finned fish in the genus Barbus. It occurs in the lower Danube basin of Bulgaria and Romania, as well as in several rivers of Bulgaria flowing into the Black Sea, such as Kamchiya. The species is named after János_Salamon_Petényi.

Males can reach 25 cm in length.