The Ebro Barbel is endemic to Spain and France. It does not approach the range thresholds for Vulnerable under Criterion B1 (extent of occurrence (EOO) < 20,000 km²) or D2, and Criterion B2 is precluded by its uncertain area of occupancy (AOO). The population size is believed to exceed 10,000 individuals, therefore it does not approach the thresholds for Criteria C or D, and there exists no quantitative analysis which would permit application of Criterion E.

Although no range-wide population trend data exists, it is plausible that the suspected ongoing reduction based on continuing decline in habitat quality may approach or meet the threshold for Vulnerable under Criterion A2; a decline ≥ 30% over the past 24 years (three generations). As a result of this data uncertainty, Least Concern and Vulnerable are equally plausible Red List categories for the present assessment, therefore this species is assessed as Near Threatened (A2ce).

This species is endemic to Spain and France. In Spain, it occurs in the Ebro River system plus some smaller catchments draining to the Bay of Biscay (from the Nervión River eastward to the Oria River) and Mediterranean Sea (from the Ebro River northward to the Ter River). In 2019, it was recorded in France, where it inhabits a headwater stream draining to a tributary of the upper Ebro.

Outside of its native range, it has been introduced to the Asón River in Cantabria, Spain. In addition, it has since the late 1990s been introduced to a series of rivers draining the Tyrrhenian slope in central Italy, including the Ombrone, Albegna, Fiora and Tiber systems.

This species' population size is unknown, but is understood to exceed the minimum threshold for Red List criteria (< 10,000 mature individuals).

The current population trend has not been quantified, and the number of subpopulations is unclear. However, significant site-scale declines in abundance have occurred throughout its range since the mid-20^th century. It is suspected that this pattern is ongoing to an as yet undetermined extent, based on declining habitat quality (see 'Threats').

This large-bodied, benthic, potamodromous species inhabits the middle and lower reaches of perennial river channels, often with aquatic vegetation or submerged woody structures. Adult individuals demonstrate a preference for deeper glides and pools, whereas juveniles occupy shallower marginal environments. It also occurs in some natural lakes, and has colonised a number of artificial reservoirs where there is access to suitable upstream spawning sites (but see 'Threats').

It also occurs in temporal rivers which are naturally dewatered during the summer and other periods of drought. The abundance of resident fishes is significantly reduced during these events, when some individuals survive in remnant pools or short perennial stretches.

The diet mainly comprises aquatic invertebrates alongside some algae and organic detritus.

Maximum lifespan is c. 16 years, and adult individuals mature at age 3-4+. Females grow somewhat larger than males, and nuptial male individuals develop visible breeding tubercles on the head. The annual reproductive period extends from May to August, peaking in June, at which time adults migrate to specific upstream spawning sites with shallow, flowing water and coarse, stony substrata. It is a fractional spawner, and individual females are capable of releasing 5,000-25,000 eggs during a single spawning season.

It hybridises with the related Catalonian Barbel (Barbus haasi) at various locations throughout its native range, and potentially with the threatened Horse Barbel (Barbus tyberinus) in Italy.

This species is threatened by river regulation and other forms of anthropogenic habitat degradation, which have resulted in widespread loss of the heterogeneous, interconnected fluvial habitats required to complete its life-cycle.

In particular, the construction of large dams plus smaller weirs and other barriers throughout its range has severely altered natural flow and sedimentation regimes, blocked migration routes, fragmented subpopulations, and reduced the extent of suitable habitat for all life stages. Hydroelectric schemes have created unnatural fluctuations in discharge and water temperature (hydropeaking and thermopeaking) which bring about artificial dewatering of downstream river stretches and loss of stable nursery habitat for juveniles. Furthermore, the combined effect of hydropeaking, dam flushing operations, changes in land use, and the removal of riparian vegetation has increased accumulation of fine sediments at some spawning sites, plausibly impairing the hatching and survival rates of eggs and larvae.

The quality of available habitat has been further diminished by bank stabilisation, channelisation and other efforts to enhance flood protection or exploit water resources for irrigated agriculture. Unregulated water abstraction may constitute a particular threat to this species' upstream spawning and nursery sites, some of which may also have been damaged by the industrial extraction of riverine gravel and other sediments for urban development.

It is also threatened by diffuse and point source agricultural, domestic and industrial pollution, which has at some locations reduced the extent and quality of habitat due to eutrophication or discharge of toxic substances. Pollution can be particularly impactful when discharge is reduced during the summer, especially in temporal rivers where native fishes are often confined to small refugia (see 'Habitat and Ecology').

The presence of dams also favours the establishment of lentic non-native fish species, of which a number documented to exert negative effects on native ichthyofauna through predation, resource competition or habitat degradation are established and continue to expand within the Ebro Barbel's range. These include Pumpkinseed (Lepomis gibbosus), Largemouth Bass (Micropterus salmoides), Northern Pike (Esox lucius), Eurasian Perch (Perca fluviatilis), Eurasian Pikeperch (Sander lucioperca), Common Carp (Cyprinus domestic strain), Common Bleak (Alburnus alburnus), Common Roach (Rutilus rutilus), Topmouth Gudgeon (Pseudorasbora parva), Eastern Mosquitofish (Gambusia holbrooki), Black Bullhead (Ameiurus melas) and Wels Catfish (Silurus glanis).

The negative impact of some threats could plausibly be exacerbated by increasingly rapid climate change in the Iberian Peninsula, which is already driving extended periods of drought.

This species is targeted by recreational anglers, but is not otherwise used or traded.

This species is included in Annex V of the European Union Habitats Directive (originally as Barbus spp.). It occurs within the boundaries of numerous protected areas, some of which are listed in the European Union's Natura 2000 network.

Fishways have been installed on some dams in the Ebro River system in order to facilitate the migratory movements of native potamodromous fishes, but their efficiency is reportedly questionable. No species-specific conservation actions are known to be in place.

A deeper understanding of this species' demographics (population size and trend), current distribution, and life history, particularly the identification of key spawning sites, would likely prove useful in the development of future management efforts.