Aral Barbel
NameAral Barbel
Scientific NameLuciobarbus brachycephalus
Common NamesAral Barbel, Shorthead Barbel
FamilyCyprinidae
OriginCentral Asia, Aral Sea basin, Amu Darya, Syr Darya
Temperamentsemi-aggressive
Dietomnivore
Care Leveladvanced
Minimum Tank Size (Gallons)250
Max Size (Inches)39.4
Water TypeFreshwater
Temperature Range (°F)60-75
pH Range7.0-8.0
Compatible SpeciesLarge, robust bottom dwellers, Other similarly sized, non-aggressive riverine fish (in extremely large, specialized tanks)
Description
The Aral Barbel is a large, elongated freshwater fish native to the Aral Sea basin. It possesses a distinctive silvery body, large scales, and two pairs of barbels around its mouth, used for foraging along the substrate. This robust species is known for its predatory nature, feeding on a variety of aquatic invertebrates and smaller fish.
