Barbus

Barbus is a genus of freshwater fish, family Cyprinidae, comprising approximately 45 currently recognized species plus one known fossil species, native to Africa and Europe with some species extending into adjacent Asia, particularly the Ponto-Caspian region. Members are named for the pair of barbels on their mouths, sensory appendages used to search for food on the riverbed, which also gave rise to the common names barbs and barbels. The common barbel, Barbus barbus, is the type species and the most recognizable member, found across European rivers; other species include the Danube barbel, Barbus balcanicus, and the Mediterranean barbel, Barbus meridionalis. Although often fished for food, the roe of barbels is poisonous.