Fin's Fish Guide
The Common bream (Abramis brama) is a brackish-water fish of the family Cyprinidae that grows up to 82 cm.
Widespread in fresh and slightly brackish water of Europe, in slow-flowing rivers, canals and lakes.
Description
The common bream is a sturdy freshwater fish of the family Cyprinidae reaching about 82 cm. The body is deep and strongly compressed, with a small head and a protrusible, downturned mouth. Young fish are silvery, older bream become bronze-coloured with slimy skin. The species lives in schools in slow-flowing rivers, canals and lakes of Europe, including slightly brackish water, and roots in the soft bottom with its protrusible mouth for midge larvae, worms, snails and plant matter, leaving characteristic feeding pits. In spring it spawns en masse and noisily in shallow, vegetation-rich water. The bream is a much-caught fish for angling.
Frequently asked questions
How do you recognise the Common bream?
The Common bream has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a plain pattern. Deep, strongly laterally flattened body and a protrusible, downward-pointing mouth with which the fish roots for food in the mud.
Where does the Common bream live?
The Common bream lives in brackish water and is mostly found around mixed bottom. Widespread in fresh and slightly brackish water of Europe, in slow-flowing rivers, canals and lakes.
How big does the Common bream get?
The Common bream grows to a maximum of about 82 cm. On average the species is around 25 cm.
Is the Common bream dangerous to humans?
No, the Common bream is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.
Is the Common bream edible?
The Common bream is rarely eaten.
More photos
Easily confused with
These species look like the Common bream and live in the same waters.
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All data
Identification
Appearance
Habitat & distribution
Behaviour & biology
For anglers
Safety
Status & sources
More from the family Cyprinidae
Want the complete picture on the Common bream?
Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Common bream is one of 12,519 species in the app.