The Vimba bream (Vimba vimba) is a fish that lives in both fresh and salt water of the family Cyprinidae that grows up to 50 cm.
Description
The vimba bream is a slender cyprinid of the family Cyprinidae reaching about 50 cm. Characteristic is the fleshy, forward-projecting snout above an inferior mouth, with which the fish roots for food on the bottom. The body is silvery with a blue-grey back; in the breeding season the back and belly turn dark and orange and males develop white spawning tubercles. The species lives in fresh and brackish water of central and eastern Europe and is partly anadromous: populations run up rivers from the Baltic and North Sea to spawn. It eats bottom animals such as midge larvae, snails, worms and crustaceans. The vimba bream is a valued fish for angling.
Frequently asked questions
How do you recognise the Vimba bream?
The Vimba bream has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a plain pattern.
Where does the Vimba bream live?
The Vimba bream lives in both fresh and salt water and is mostly found around mixed bottom.
How big does the Vimba bream get?
The Vimba bream grows to a maximum of about 50 cm. On average the species is around 20 cm.
Is the Vimba bream dangerous to humans?
No, the Vimba bream is harmless to humans.
Is the Vimba bream edible?
The Vimba bream is rarely eaten.
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Appearance
Habitat & distribution
Behaviour & biology
For anglers
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Status & sources
More from the family Cyprinidae
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