Species · GBIF taxon 2359471
Silver Bream
Blicca bjoerknaAlso known as White Bream, European Silver Bream
Silver bream are small to medium-sized freshwater fish featuring deeply compressed, disc-like bodies with brilliant silver flanks and reddish bases on their paired fins. They inhabit slow-flowing rivers, canals, and lowland lakes, forming tight schools that graze along rich, muddy bottoms for small invertebrates. Anglers and naturalists frequently confuse them with juvenile common bream, but silver bream maintain their oversized eyes and bright metallic shine throughout adulthood.
FreshwaterSchoolingBottom Feeder
—observations
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—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Chironomid Larvae
- Freshwater Snails
- Zooplankton
Predators
- Northern Pike
- Eurasian Perch
- Grey Heron
ThreatsWater pollution, wetland drainage, and heavy river regulation
HabitatsSlow-flowing rivers, lowland lakes, canals, and brackish Baltic estuaries
Life span10–15 years
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- OrderCypriniformes
- FamilyCyprinidae
- GenusBlicca
- SpeciesBlicca bjoerkna
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Safe to observe at a normal distance.
Responsible observation
- Finding Shoals: Look for them near soft, muddy riverbeds or sheltered lake margins with gentle currents.
- Identification: Check for reddish fin bases and oversized eyes to distinguish them from common bream.
- Angling Etiquette: Use wet hands when handling fish and return them promptly to the water.
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