Fin's Fish Guide
The Danube bream (Ballerus sapa) is a freshwater fish of the family Cyprinidae that grows up to 35 cm.
Basins of the Black, Azov and Caspian Seas, in the lower reaches of large rivers and connected lakes with slow-flowing water.
Description
The Danube bream or white-eye bream is a deep, laterally compressed bream of the family Cyprinidae reaching about 35 cm. The silvery-grey body stands out for a very long anal fin, large eyes and an inferior, protrusible mouth with which the fish sucks food from the bottom. The species lives in schools in the lower reaches of large rivers and connected lakes of the Black, Azov and Caspian Sea drainages, such as the Danube, Volga and Don. On the bottom it searches for invertebrates such as insect larvae, worms and small molluscs. In spring it migrates upstream to spawn on gravel and plants in shallow, flowing water. Locally it is landed as bycatch.
Frequently asked questions
How do you recognise the Danube bream?
The Danube bream has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a plain pattern. Deep-bodied, laterally flattened bream-like fish with a very long anal fin, large eyes and an inferior, protrusible mouth.
Where does the Danube bream live?
The Danube bream lives in fresh water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Basins of the Black, Azov and Caspian Seas, in the lower reaches of large rivers and connected lakes with slow-flowing water.
How big does the Danube bream get?
The Danube bream grows to a maximum of about 35 cm. On average the species is around 15 cm.
Is the Danube bream dangerous to humans?
No, the Danube bream is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.
Is the Danube bream edible?
The Danube bream is rarely eaten.
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All data
Identification
Appearance
Habitat & distribution
Behaviour & biology
For anglers
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Status & sources
Same genus Ballerus
More from the family Cyprinidae
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Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Danube bream is one of 12,519 species in the app.