Barbus brachycephalus brachephalus

Aral barbel

Taxonomy
Phylum Chordates (Chordata)
Class Fish (Pisces)
Order Cyprinid fishes (Cypriniformes)
Family Carps (Cyprinidae)
Genus Barbels (Barbus)
Species Authority Kessler, 1872
Information
Summary Status: vulnerable (Category II), decreasing in number everywhere. The migratory form of the Aral barbel is considered to be endangered. Its habitat once included the Aral Sea Basin, where in the past, annual harvests of up to 1,743 metric tons were recorded. Adults reach more than 100 cm long and weigh up to 22 kg. This subspecies is adapted to Lake Balkhash and the Ili River. A better understanding of the Aral barbels natural breeding conditions is needed so that artificial cultivation methods can be developed.

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