How to Identify Common Bream

To identify Common Bream (Abramis brama), look at these key features.

Physical Characteristics

Body shape

compressed

Coloration

Young bream are silvery with a bluish-grey back. As they mature, their flanks become golden-bronze, and the back darkens to a greenish-brown or dark grey. The belly is whitish. Fins are typically dark grey or brownish.

Scale type

cycloid

Mouth position

subterminal

Distinctive features

Deep, laterally compressed body, Small, downward-pointing (subterminal) mouth, Long anal fin (23-30 branched rays), Absence of barbels, Protrusible mouth for bottom feeding

Dorsal fin

Short, high, with 3 unbranched and 8-9 branched rays, positioned relatively far back on the body.

Tail fin

Deeply forked, with the lower lobe slightly longer than the upper.

Pectoral fin

Relatively long and pointed, extending beyond the base of the pelvic fins.

Distinctive fins

The anal fin is notably long, extending from behind the pelvic fins almost to the caudal fin base.

Identification Tips

1. 1

   Body Shape

   Look for the very deep, flattened body, especially in adult specimens, which gives it a 'dinner-plate' appearance.

2. 2

   Mouth

   Observe the small, downward-pointing, protrusible mouth, adapted for sifting through substrate.

3. 3

   Anal Fin

   Note the exceptionally long anal fin, which distinguishes it from many other cyprinids.

4. 4

   Coloration

   Young fish are silvery, while adults develop a distinct bronze or golden sheen on their flanks.

5. 5

   Barbels

   Confirm the absence of barbels around the mouth, which helps differentiate it from carp species.

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