Common Bream
Abramis brama
Also known as: Bream, Bronze Bream, Freshwater Bream
About This Species
A deep-bodied freshwater fish found in slow-flowing rivers, canals, and still lakes across Europe, typically shoaling near the bottom over silty or muddy substrate. It is most visible from shore or boat in warmer months when large shoals move into shallower water to spawn, often stirring up sediment and causing visible surface activity. Early morning and dusk in late spring through summer, during the spawning period, offer the best chance of observing shoals near the surface.
Ethical Viewing Guidelines
- Observation from the bank or a boat without entering the water is sufficient and causes no disturbance to the species.
- Fishing and handling regulations for freshwater fish vary considerably by country and even by waterway, so anyone intending to catch or handle this species should check local angling rules rather than assume a general figure.
- Avoid disturbing spawning shoals in shallow water, since this is when the species is most vulnerable to stress.
LCNaNCypriniformesCyprinidae
Seasonal Activity
268,900 sightings · 2000–2026
Citizen science records via GBIF
All monthsThis month
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Class
- NaN
- Order
- Cypriniformes
- Family
- Cyprinidae
Photo
Karelj, no known copyright restrictions (public domain)
CC0-1.0
Occurrence data from GBIF.