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Black bream (Acanthopagrus butcheri) — Sparidae

Black bream

Acanthopagrus butcheri
Family: Sparidae
LC · Least Concern

The Black bream (Acanthopagrus butcheri) is a fish that lives in both fresh and salt water of the family Sparidae that grows up to 60 cm.

Length
60 cm
Water
Euryhaline
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Description

The black bream is a sea bream (Sparidae) endemic to the coastal waters, rivers and estuaries of Australia. The species has a deep, robust, dark bronze to blackish body with strong jaws and grinding teeth. It is most common in river mouths and estuaries and tolerates strongly varying salinity. With its powerful jaws it cracks shellfish, crustaceans, worms and algae. It is a very popular sport and food fish. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Black bream?

The Black bream has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly brown and shows a plain pattern.

Where does the Black bream live?

The Black bream lives in both fresh and salt water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom.

How big does the Black bream get?

The Black bream grows to a maximum of about 60 cm. On average the species is around 24 cm.

Is the Black bream dangerous to humans?

No, the Black bream is harmless to humans.

Is the Black bream edible?

Yes, the Black bream is commonly eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Zwarte zeebrasem sourced
English name
Black bream verified
Scientific name
Acanthopagrus butcheri
Family
Sparidae
Other names
Black bream; Blue nose bream; Bream; Gippsland bream; Golden bream verified

Appearance

Size class
Large verified
Max length (cm)
60.0 verified
Average length (cm)
24.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Brown inferred
Pattern
Plain inferred
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Terminal inferred
Lips
Thick / fleshy inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous inferred
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Euryhaline sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Small groups inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
levensduur_max_jaar
29.0 verified

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten sourced
Fishing method
Bodemvissen met natuurlijk aas (worm, garnaal of vis) op of vlak boven de bodem. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Acanthopagrus

More from the family Sparidae

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