Korea Spotted Barbel of Geumgang River

Basic information

Designation

Natural Monument No.238

Category

동식물

Designated year

1972

Location

옥천군, 충청북도— 충북 옥천군 이원면 용방리 1135

Coordinates

36.258812, 127.660244

Korea spotted barbel is a member of the carp family and is distributed in the middle and upper streams in Hangang River, Imjingang River, and Geumgang River. It is 200-300 mm long, and its exterior has black spots. It lives in the middle and upper streams, which have clean water and gravel. It feeds on aquatic insects, crustaceans, and small animals. From April to May, it spawns eggs between rocks in the clean waters and buries its eggs with sand and gravel to protect them. In the past, it was known to live only in Hangang River; in 1972, it was found to live in the middle and upper streams in Geumgang River as well. Judging from the fact that it lives in Hangang River and Geumgang River, it can be inferred that the two rivers were once connected. Geumgang River is very important since it is the southeast limiting line where the cyprinid fish can live. Since it is on the verge of extinction because of indiscriminate catching and water pollution, it is designated and protected as a Natural Monument.

Location