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Yarqon bream (Acanthobrama telavivensis) — Cyprinidae

Yarqon bream

Acanthobrama telavivensis
Family: Cyprinidae
CR · Critically Endangered

The Yarqon bream (Acanthobrama telavivensis) is a freshwater fish of the family Cyprinidae that grows up to 11 cm.

Length
11 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Schooling
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Asia: Iraq, Israel, Syria
Edibility
Commonly eaten

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Description

The Yarqon bream is a small minnow (Leuciscidae) endemic to coastal rivers of the Levant, around Tel Aviv in Israel. The species grows to about 11 cm and has a deep, silvery, laterally compressed body. It lives in schools in slow rivers and pools and eats small invertebrates, algae and detritus. Through the drying of its rivers the species nearly went extinct in the wild; it survives thanks to captive-breeding and reintroduction programmes and is critically endangered. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Yarqon bream?

The Yarqon bream has a torpedo-shaped body and is mainly silver-grey.

Where does the Yarqon bream live?

The Yarqon bream lives in fresh water and is mostly found around mixed bottom. Asia: Iraq, Israel, Syria

How big does the Yarqon bream get?

The Yarqon bream grows to a maximum of about 11 cm.

Is the Yarqon bream dangerous to humans?

No, the Yarqon bream is harmless to humans. This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status.

Is the Yarqon bream edible?

Yes, the Yarqon bream is commonly eaten.

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All data

Identification

English name
Yarqon bream sourced
Scientific name
Acanthobrama telavivensis
Family
Cyprinidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
11.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Natural range
Asia: Iraq, Israel, Syria sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore inferred
Diet (detail)
Invertebrates, algae and detritus inferred
Social behaviour
Schooling sourced
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Diurnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten inferred
Fishing method
Small in size and barely an angling target; mostly caught incidentally or as baitfish. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified
First aid
This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status. verified

Status & sources

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

Same genus Acanthobrama

More from the family Cyprinidae

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