Barbels /Lele

Barbels are group of small carp-like freshwater fish, almost all of the genus Barbus. They are usually found in gravel and rocky bottomed slow flowing waters with high dissolved oxygen content. A typical adult barbel will range from 25 to 100 cm in length and weigh anywhere between 200 g and 10 kg, although weights of 200g are more common.Babies weigh 100-150g

Barbel Roe is poisonous and causes vomiting and diarrhoea in some people.

The name barbel derived from the Latin "barba" meaning beard, a reference to the two pairs of barbs - a longer pair pointing forwards and slightly down positioned - on the side of the mouth.

Fish described as barbels by English-speaking people may not be known as barbels in their native country, although the root of the word may be similar. For instance, the Mediterranean barbel, Barbus meridionalis is known as barbeau méridional or barbeau truité in France, but also as 'Drogan', 'Durgan', 'Tourgan', 'Turquan' and 'Truitat'.