Barb

barb a name commonly but loosely applied to most of the numerous species of fish in the genus Barbus. This consists of freshwater fish only, and falls in the carp family.

The principal European species is called barbel. The various fish called mahseer in the Indian subcontinent (assigned to the genus Barbus by some authorities, but to the genus Tor by others) belong to the same group.

Generally, however, Barbus spp are small and more valued as aquarium fish than for eating.