Fauna
Species · GBIF taxon 2362925

Bleak

Alburnus alburnus

Also known as Common Bleak, Eurasian Bleak

Bleaks form vast, glittering shoals near the surface of calm rivers, lakes, and canals across Europe and Western Asia. Their intensely silver scales produce a pearlescent guanine extract historically known as essence d'orient, once harvested to coat artificial pearls. These agile surface-feeders spend warm afternoons snapping at midges and mayflies that land on the water's surface.

ShoalingFreshwaterSurface Feeder
Bleak reference1 / 7
Licensed referencePiet Spaans / CC BY-SA 2.5 · cc-by-sa
—observations
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—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & prey
  • Mayflies
  • Midges
  • Zooplankton
Predators
  • Northern Pike
  • Eurasian Perch
  • Grey Heron
ThreatsWater pollution, dam construction, and invasive predatory fish
HabitatsSlow-flowing rivers, lakes, reservoirs, and canals
Life span5–9 years
Classification
  1. OrderCypriniformes
  2. FamilyCyprinidae
  3. GenusAlburnus
  4. SpeciesAlburnus alburnus
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
  • Observing shoals: Look for silver flashes just beneath the surface near bridges or shaded riverbanks on calm summer afternoons.
  • Angling etiquette: Handle carefully with wet hands and return quickly to the water if caught on light fly or coarse tackle.
Related species
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