Bony fish · Cypriniformes · Leuciscidae

Common Bream

Abramis brama

Least Concern

The species is abundant and widely distributed; it faces no significant short-term risk. See full glossary

In the spawning season males grow distinctive small white tubercles on the head and upper body.

Weight

1 kg – 4 kg

Size

30 cm – 55 cm

Lifespan

15 years

Diet

Omnivore

Combines animal and plant food depending on availability.

Activity

Nocturnal

Active mainly at night.

Social structure

School

Gathers in coordinated schools, typical of fish.

Sighting difficulty

Easy

Fun facts

The spawning migrations of some river populations can run to 100 km.
It eats insect larvae, molluscs and plant matter sifted from the muddy bottom.
It lives in slow-flowing rivers, lakes and nutrient-rich reservoirs across Europe and Asia.

Skeleton type: Vertebrate - internal bony skeleton (fish)
Habitat & environment: Slow-flowing rivers, lakes and nutrient-rich reservoirs across much of Europe and western and Central Asia
Birth weight: Tiny larva at hatching
Size at birth: Tiny larva at hatching
Sexual maturity: 3-5 years (the female later, up to 6-7 years in some populations)
Gestation / incubation: The eggs hatch in 3-12 days depending on water temperature
Litter / clutch size: 90,000 to 300,000 eggs per kg of body weight, laid in 3-4 batches