White bream

• Scientific synonym

  Abramis bjoerkna

(also Abramis bjoerkna)

• Other names

  Silver bream

• Similar species

  blue bream, bream

• Size

  15–25 cm, seldom over 35 cm.

• Appearance

  A deep-bodied fish closely resembling a small common bream; may also be confused with the blue bream. However, the white bream is stockier and stronger in the body than its two Finnish cousins. It also has a fairly large eye and a shorter snout. The scales on the white bream are larger (43-48 along the lateral line) than those of the common bream (51-60) and the blue bream (67–75). Of the three, the white bream has the shortest anal fin, which has 22-26 rays compared with 26-30 for the common bream and 37-46 for the blue bream.

• Colouring

  Sides always silver, though this also applies to common bream of similar size. Underside fins always tinged with some orange-red, whereas those of the common bream are always grey. In larger white bream the reddish colour also shows on the belly.

• Reproduction

  Spawns in shoals among vegetation close to the shore once the water temperature exceeds 17 degrees. Usually in June, though sometimes in July. Spawning is accompanied by the same jostling and commotion as with common bream, though white bream are said to be less easily disturbed during spawning.

• Food

  Benthic invertebrates and insect larvae.

• Distribution and habitat

  White bream inhabit larger lakes as far north as central Finland. Also found in coastal waters of the Gulf of Finland and in the Gulf of Botnia as far north as Vaasa. Favours shallow, reedy lakes with rich feeding. Tolerates eutrophication well. Unlike common bream, which are exclusively bottom feeders, white bream also forage for food among aquatic vegetation.