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Black amur bream (Megalobrama terminalis) — Cyprinidae

Black amur bream

Megalobrama terminalis
Family: Cyprinidae
NE · Not Evaluated

The Black amur bream (Megalobrama terminalis) is a freshwater fish of the family Cyprinidae that grows up to 60 cm.

Length
60 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Schooling
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
East Asia
Edibility
Commonly eaten

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Description

The black Amur bream is a large cyprinid from East Asia, from the Amur basin to southern China. The species grows to about 60 cm and has a deep, laterally strongly compressed, silver-grey body with a small, obliquely set mouth. It lives in rivers and lakes and feeds on aquatic plants, algae and small invertebrates. It is a valued food and aquaculture fish. The fish is harmless to humans and has not been evaluated by the IUCN (NE).

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Black amur bream?

The Black amur bream has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a plain pattern. Deep compressed body; herbivorous bream

Where does the Black amur bream live?

The Black amur bream lives in fresh water and is mostly found around mixed bottom. East Asia

How big does the Black amur bream get?

The Black amur bream grows to a maximum of about 60 cm. On average the species is around 20 cm.

Is the Black amur bream dangerous to humans?

No, the Black amur bream is harmless to humans. This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status.

Is the Black amur bream edible?

Yes, the Black amur bream is commonly eaten.

More photos

Black amur bream (Megalobrama terminalis) — Cyprinidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) demonishia, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Black amur bream (Megalobrama terminalis) — Cyprinidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) szlly404, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Black amur bream (Megalobrama terminalis) — Cyprinidae — 4
demonishia (CC BY-NC 4.0) via GBIF — iNaturalist
Black amur bream (Megalobrama terminalis) — Cyprinidae — 5
Wikimedia Commons — A. C. Tatarinov (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Black amur bream verified
Scientific name
Megalobrama terminalis
Family
Cyprinidae
Other names
Black Amur bream verified

Appearance

Size class
Large verified
Max length (cm)
60.0 verified
Average length (cm)
20.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey inferred
Pattern
Plain sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Terminal sourced
Lips
Thin sourced
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous sourced
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Natural range
East Asia verified
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Aquatic plants, algae and small invertebrates inferred
Social behaviour
Schooling sourced
Territorial
No sourced
Activity
Diurnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No sourced
Seasonality
Plant-eating lake bream; present year-round. sourced
Special features
Deep compressed body; herbivorous bream sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten sourced
Fishing method
Bottom fishing / angling sourced
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced
First aid
This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status. verified

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

More from the family Cyprinidae

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