Carp Bream Breeding

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Abramis brama commonly known as carp bream is a fresh water fish which can be found in north of the Alps and Pyrenees, in the Caspian Sea, the Black Sea, and the Aral Sea. The fish belongs to the family of Cyprinidae along with other 1.500 species.

The carp bream fish reaches sexual maturity after three to four years. When mature the carp bream reaches up to 55 centimeters in length and an average weight of around 5 kilograms.

The carp bream can be easily recognized due to its laterally flattened posture and high-backed body. The fish has a silvery gray color and its fins are gray. Carp bream live in schools near the bottom of nutrient reach lakes or rivers.

The carp bream spawning process starts from late April and lasts until June when water temperature is above 150 C. During this period the males divide their territories where females can lay their eggs. Usually a mature carp bream female can lay up to 100.000 eggs per kg of body weight. With some carp bream this means around 500.000 eggs per spawning. Out of the 500.000 eggs approximately 20% to 30% hatch after three to twelve days. The carp bream female leaves the spawning grounds immediately after laying the eggs without taking care of its offspring.
After hatching the fish larvae attached themselves to water plants until the yolk bubble dissipates. 10% of the hatched eggs make it to becoming a fry. When the larva becomes a fry, it starts the independent active feeding. For carp bream fish reaching maturity is quite a hazardous process. The fry are often eaten by bigger fish or birds leaving a small percentage of fish to make it to maturity. Only after 5 to 6 months the young carp bream fish take their typical posture and become bottom dwellers.