AN unusual blue barbel was found during an annual netting at the Environment Agency’s National Calverton Fish Farm last week, but staff have decided it will not be released into the wild.
The rare fish is the result of a genetic colour variation, similar to what happens with koi carp. These fascinating ‘freaks’ are hardly ever seen in the wild, because without their natural camouflage, they’re highly susceptible to predation.
“It just wouldn’t be fair to stock it into a river,” says Calverton Fish Farm Technical Specialist, Richard Pitman.
“We’ll keep it here on the farm, where it’s at minimal risk and can happily live out its life.”
Richard explained just how rare a find the fish is, but it’s perhaps still not the most unique colour variation in
one of the country’s most popular river species.
“We probably see one or two of these blue fish in every 100,000 barbel, but something that’s even rarer is the golden barbel, which we see hardly ever on the farm, but which we know is possible.”
We’ll be taking a closer look into the incredible work that goes on at Calverton in a special Angling Times feature next year.
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