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Freshwater bream (Parabramis pekinensis) — Cyprinidae

Freshwater bream

Parabramis pekinensis
Family: Cyprinidae
LC · Least Concern

The Freshwater bream (Parabramis pekinensis) is a brackish-water fish of the family Cyprinidae that grows up to 55 cm.

Length
55 cm
Water
Brackish
Diet
Herbivore
Behaviour
Large groups
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Description

The white amur bream is a cyprinid (Xenocyprididae) from East Asia. The species has a deep, strongly laterally compressed, silvery body with a sharp keel along the belly. It inhabits rivers, lakes and reservoirs and stays in the middle and upper water layers. As a plant-eating fish it feeds mainly on higher aquatic plants. Its flesh is tasty but very bony; it is one of the most important commercial fishes of China. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Freshwater bream?

The Freshwater bream has a flattened, disc-shaped body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a plain pattern.

Where does the Freshwater bream live?

The Freshwater bream lives in brackish water and is mostly found around mixed bottom.

How big does the Freshwater bream get?

The Freshwater bream grows to a maximum of about 55 cm. On average the species is around 9 cm.

Is the Freshwater bream dangerous to humans?

No, the Freshwater bream is harmless to humans.

Is the Freshwater bream edible?

Yes, the Freshwater bream is commonly eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Witte amurbrasem sourced
English name
Freshwater bream verified
Scientific name
Parabramis pekinensis
Family
Cyprinidae
Other names
White Amur bream; White amur bream verified

Appearance

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

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Brackish sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Herbivore sourced
Social behaviour
Large groups inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Diurnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
levensduur_max_jaar
17.0 verified

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten sourced
Fishing method
Bodemvissen met natuurlijk aas (worm, garnaal of vis) op of vlak boven de bodem. inferred
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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