Barbel haurient (Period)

The barbel is a fish noted for the whisker-like sense organs around its mouth, which give the fish its name (Latin barbam, “beard”).  It’s a period charge, found in the canting arms of the Dukes of Bar, c.1370 [Gelre 26v]. The barbel is frequently found haurient, its body slightly embowed (as in the illustration), but there doesn’t seem to be a default posture.

Randolph MacMorris bears:  Per bend azure and gules, a bend Or and overall a barbel haurient contourny argent.