Fauna
Species · GBIF taxon 2359471

Silver Bream

Blicca bjoerkna

Also 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
Silver Bream reference1 / 7
Licensed reference(c) Viridiflavus, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) · cc-by-sa
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Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
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
Classification
  1. OrderCypriniformes
  2. FamilyCyprinidae
  3. GenusBlicca
  4. SpeciesBlicca bjoerkna
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskLow
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. 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.
Related species
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