The Southern Iberian Barbel occurs in Spain and Portugal where it primarily inhabits the middle and upper reaches of perennial river channels, as well as temporal rivers. It does not approach the range size 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 mature 10,000 individuals, hence it does not approach the thresholds for Criteria C or D. There exists no quantitative analysis which would permit application of Criterion E.

Although no range-wide population trend data exists, significant site-scale declines have occurred within the last 30 years, and a suspected ongoing reduction based on declining habitat quality might meet the threshold for Vulnerable under Criterion A2 (≥ 30% over the longer of 10 years or 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.

This species is native to the southwestern Iberian Peninsula, where it inhabits the Guadalquivir, Guadalete, Guadiaro, Guadalhorce and Segura river systems. It also occurs in the lower Guadiana River system and a number of smaller coastal rivers from the Sado River in Portugal eastward to the Vélez River in Spain.

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.

Significant site-scale declines in abundance have been reported since the turn of the century, e.g., the Segura River (Spain). This pattern is suspected to be ongoing to an as yet undetermined extent elsewhere within its range, based on declining habitat quality (see 'Threats').

Some subpopulations inhabiting short rivers draining to the Mediterranean Sea are of particular conservation concern, since they are very small and completely isolated from those in adjacent systems.

This benthic, potamodromous species primarily inhabits the middle and upper reaches of perennial river channels, preferring stretches with a moderate to strong current. It also occurs in temporal rivers which naturally dry out over the course of 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. In larger river systems it has colonised a number of artificial accumulation lakes where there is access to upstream spawning habitat (but see 'Threats'), and has been observed in canals used to transport water for irrigated agriculture.

Individuals resident in temporal rivers tend to remain at a smaller adult size (maximum c. 250 mm standard length (SL)) than those in larger systems (maximum c. 450 mm SL). The diet mainly comprises aquatic invertebrates alongside some algae and organic detritus, but larger individuals sometimes prey on smaller fishes. The annual reproductive period extends from May to July, during 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 3,000-14,000 eggs over a single spawning season.

This species is threatened by ongoing pollution from agricultural, domestic and industrial sources, canalisation and unauthorised modification of natural river channels, and extraction of gravel and sand, the latter causing a reduction in the extent of suitable spawning habitat.

Subpopulations inhabiting smaller, intermittent river systems are additionally threatened by the combined effects of excessive ground and surface water abstraction and increasing frequency and longevity of droughts driven by climate change. These factors are reducing the extent of summer refuge habitats for native fishes.

Although the Southern Iberian Barbel is able to colonise artificial lakes created by dams, barrier construction remains a threat since it interferes with natural hydrological regimes, drives habitat fragmentation and leads to changes in subpopulation structure by blocking migratory routes.

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 Southern Iberian Barbel's range. These include Pumpkinseed (Lepomis gibbosus), Largemouth Bass (Micropterus salmoides), Northern Pike (Esox lucius), Eurasian Pikeperch (Sander lucioperca), Common Carp (Cyprinus domestic strain), Goldfish (Carassius auratus), Common Bleak (Alburnus alburnus), Topmouth Gudgeon (Pseudorasbora parva), Eastern Mosquitofish (Gambusia holbrooki), Black Bullhead (Ameiurus melas) and Wels Catfish (Silurus glanis).

This species is targeted by recreational anglers, and by small-scale commercial fishers at some locations in Portugal.

This species is included in Appendix III of the Bern Convention (as Barbus sclateri) and Annex V of the European Union Habitats Directive (originally as Barbus spp. in the latter).

It is nationally-protected in Portugal, and was assessed as Near Threatened in the most recent (2023) iteration of the Portugese Red Book of Freshwater and Diadromous Fishes.

It occurs within the boundaries of numerous protected areas, including national parks and sites listed in the European Union's Natura 2000 network.

The European Union-funded LIFE+ Segura-Riverlink project (LIFE12 ENV/ES/001140) ran from 2013-2017 and achieved its objective to restore fluvial connectivity in a 54 kilometre stretch of the Segura River. Direct conservation actions included the demolition of a small weir and construction of fishways on eight additional barriers, the removal of non-native fishes (c. 15,000 individuals), and replacing invasive plants with native species. Initial monitoring efforts suggest that the fishways are being utilised by native fishes, including the Southern Iberian Barbel.

It is recommended that future research should focus on understanding the Southern Iberian Barbel's current population trend, life history and ongoing response to the identified threats, particularly in small intermittent river systems draining to the Mediterranean Sea.