Bream Juvenile

The Common Bream is a widespread European cyprinid found in lowland lakes, rivers, and canals from Britain to the Caspian Sea. Juveniles are slim and silver-flanked with a strongly forked tail, growing progressively deeper-bodied and bronze-flanked with age.

In the aquarium only juveniles are practical to keep, and even these require a very large tank due to their rapid growth and schooling nature. They are best displayed in a large European river biotope alongside Roach, Rudd, and Gudgeon, recreating a natural lowland lake or canal ecosystem.

Bream are bottom and mid-column feeders, using their protrusible mouth to vacuum up invertebrates from soft substrates.

Water: 5–22°C, pH 6.5–8.0, GH 5–18; tolerant of a wide range of conditions; cool temperature preferred. Tank: minimum 500 L for juveniles long-term; fine sand or silt substrate; powerful filtration. Feeding: omnivore — sinking pellets, frozen bloodworm, earthworms, blanched vegetables. Breeding: spring spawner over submerged vegetation in very large, shallow areas; not feasible in aquaria. Compatibility: peaceful; good with other large European coldwater cyprinids.