The Eastern Iberian Barbel is a benthic species which is endemic to Spain. 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 a suspected ongoing reduction based on declining habitat quality may approach or meet the threshold for Vulnerable under Criterion A2 (≥ 30% over the past 30 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.

This species' range mostly comprises rivers draining to the Mediterranean coastline of the Valencian Community in Spain, where its range extends southward from the Cervol River to the Vinalopó River. It also inhabits a few upper tributaries of the Guadiana River system, which flows to the Atlantic Ocean.

This species' population size is unknown, but is believed to exceed the minimum threshold for Red List criteria (< 10,000 mature individuals). The current population trend has not been quantified, but an ongoing reduction which may have reached 30% within the past three generations is suspected as a result of a continued decline in habitat quality. The number of subpopulations is unclear.

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 benthic, potamodromous species inhabits the lower-to-middle stretches of rivers, and is typically absent from headwater streams. It also inhabits a handful of natural lakes (e.g., Lagunas de Ruidera), coastal lagoons (e.g., the Albufera de València, Marjal de Gandia), and has colonised some artificial reservoirs where there is access to suitable upstream spawning habitat (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.

There is putative evidence that it is adaptable to moderate habitat degradation, and at some locations it comprises the most abundant native fish species.

The diet is likely to comprise aquatic invertebrates alongside some algae and organic detritus.

Its life history has not been extensively-studied, but the annual reproductive period extends from April to June. During this period, adults are understood to migrate upstream to specific spawning sites with shallow, flowing water and coarse, stony substrata.

It hybridises with the the congeneric Iberian Long-Snout Barbel (Luciobarbus comizo) in the upper Guadiana River, and the related Catalonian Barbel (Barbus haasi) at some locations in the Júcar River.

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 Eastern 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), Common Bleak (Alburnus alburnus), Topmouth Gudgeon (Pseudorasbora parva), Eastern Mosquitofish (Gambusia holbrooki) and Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss).

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 was assessed as Vulnerable in the Atlas and Red Book of the Freshwater Fishes of Spain (2002).

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