Common bream

Abramis brama

A deep-bodied cyprinid of European lakes and slow rivers, often schooling near the bottom while searching for food.

Key facts

Common bream (Abramis brama) is an omnivore animal classified as Fish · Cypriniformes · Cyprinidae.
Primary habitats are freshwater · coast, with a range across Palearctic.
Activity is diurnal, sociality is herd, and conservation status is LC (Least Concern).
A deep-bodied cyprinid of European lakes and slow rivers, often schooling near the bottom while searching for food.
Uses lakes, lowland rivers, canals, and brackish waters, especially calm areas with mud bottoms and aquatic vegetation.

Habitat range map

Native rangeOccasional / Transient

Map: Ecoregions 2017 © RESOLVE (CC BY 4.0) · Natural Earth (PD)

Uses lakes, lowland rivers, canals, and brackish waters, especially calm areas with mud bottoms and aquatic vegetation.

The body is tall and laterally compressed, becoming bronze to gray-brown with age. The small mouth protrudes to suck food from the bottom.

Schools forage near the bottom and stir sediment while feeding. In winter, groups often gather in deeper water.

It is omnivorous, eating midge larvae, mollusks, crustaceans, and plant material from mud and vegetation.

Adults spawn in shallow vegetated water from spring into early summer. Sticky eggs attach to plants and submerged objects.

Common bream is a familiar European angling fish. Dense populations can increase turbidity and affect aquatic plants.