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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
Edibility
Commonly eaten

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.

Where does the Black amur bream live?

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

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.

Is the Black amur bream edible?

Yes, the Black amur bream is commonly eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Zwarte Amoer-brasem verified
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
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Schooling sourced
Territorial
No sourced
Activity
Diurnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten sourced
Fishing method
Bodemvissen / hengelen sourced
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced

Status & sources

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

More from the family Cyprinidae

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