Barbus

Taxobox
name = Barb

---

image_width = 250px
image_caption = "Barbus barbus"
regnum = Animalia
phylum = Chordata
classis = Actinopterygii
ordo = Cypriniformes
familia = Cyprinidae
genus = "Barbus"
genus_authority = Cuvier, 1816
type_species = "Cyprinus barbus"
type_species_authority = Linnaeus, 1758
subdivision_ranks = Common Species
subdivision = "Barbus barbus (Barbel)
"Barbus brevipinnis" (Shortfin Barb)
"Barbus callipterus" (Clipper Barb)
"Barbus grypus" (Shabut)
*See species sub-section

"Barbus"FishBase genus | genus = Barbus | year = 2006 | month = 05] is a genus of fish in the Cyprinidae family. The type species of this genus is the Common Barbel, first described as "Cyprinus barbus" and now called "Barbus barbus".

Members of "Barbus" have a great deal of similarity to the genus "Puntius" and many species have been relocated back and forth in taxonomic debates.

Some species are commonly referred to as the Barb or barbel, in particular "B. barbus" which is often just known as "the" barbel. The name comes from the fact that most of the members of the genera have a pair of barbels on their mouths which they sometimes use to search for food at the bottom of the water.

Reclassification of Barbs

Historically, fish commonly known as barbs were members of the genus "Barbus", more recently many 'barbs' (including common aquarium species) have been reclassified into the genus "Puntius" and other genera.

pecies

There are numerous species.ITIS|ID=163618|year=2005|taxon="Barbus"]

ee also

* Barbel - list of fish commonly known as Barbels
* Danios - closely related fish to the Barbs in the Cyprinid family

Cited references

Other references

* Banister, Keith Edward (1973) A revision of the large "Barbus"(PISCES, CYPRINIDAE) of East and Central Africa. Studies on African Cyprinidae. Part II. Bulletin of the British Museum. 26(1) [http://www.archive.org/details/bulletinofbritis26zoollond Scanned book] �
*Lambert, Derek J. "Freshwater Aquarium Fish". (Edison, New Jersey: Chartwell Books, 1997), pgs. 14. ISBN 0-7858-0867-1