BREAM, a name which is apt to occasion some confusion to beginners in ichthyology, being applied equally to certain fresh-water fishes of the family eyprinitia (q.v.), and to certain sea-fishes of the families sparida (q.v.) and chatodontas (q.v.) or squamipennes, among which the resemblance is a mere general one of outward form, the first of these families belonging to the order of malaeopterous, or soft-finned, the other two to that of manthopterous, or spiny-finned fishes.
The breams of the family eyprinids were included in the genus cyprinus (see CARP) by the older naturalists, but are readily distinguished from that genus as now defined, and from other allied genera, by their deep and compressed form, by the great convexity of both the dorsal and the abdominal outline, by the want of spiny rays in the dorsal and anal fins, by the great length of the base of the anal fin, and by the want of cirri or bar bules at the mouth. They form the genus Abramis of Cuvier.—The COMMON B., or B. (A. brama), is an inhabitant of many rivers and lakes of Europe, even as far n. as Norway and Sweden, and of some of those of Britain and Ireland. It thrives best in still waters, and in some of the Irish lakes attains a large size; it has been known to reach 12 or even 14 lbs. The tail is very broad and much forked, the head small and acuminated, the eyes very large, the scales small, the general color yellowish-brown, the cheeks and gill-covers silvery-white.—The WHITE 13., or BREAMFLAT (A. blieca), differs from the common 13. in its silvery color, the smaller number of rays in the pecto ral and anal fins, and other particulars. It has never been taken of so large a size. It is found in many parts of the continent of Europe, and in some of the British lakes and rivers.—The PomEitAmAN B. (A. buggenhagii) differs much more widely from the coin mon B.; the body is much thicker in proportion to its depth, the scales larger, the base of the anal fin shorter, the tail less forked. This fish is known to occur in a few places of England and Ireland, and is said to abound in Pomerania.
The acauthopterous breams, or SBA 13nEAms, are mostly of the family sparithc, and nearly allied to the gilthead (q.v.), in connection with which they may most properly be noticed.. The common sea B., indeed, often receives the name of gilthead. Only one of the British sea fishes called B., the brume rail, already noticed (see BitAma.), belongs to the family chtelottontidm.
Angling for the two kinds of B. known to anglers, the carp B. is much the best for sport. The flesh of the B. is not held in much estimation, though time carp B. is infinitely to be preferred of the two. B. arc found in both ponds and rivers.
'They prefer deep, still holes, or quiet, well-sheltered eddies in the bends of rivers. Here the angler will find them in large numbers. They are rather capricious in feeding; at times they will not bite for weeks together. Being a sly, shy-biting fish, the tackle required for them must be fine. They may be taken by means of the ledger (q.v.) in rivers, where they should be fished for in the same way as directed for barbel, save that it will be found advisable to use another hook, which should be fastened ou to the line about 8 in. or a foot above the ledger lead, as B. often take their bait some inches off the bottom. The hooks should be No. 7. In float-fishing for B. in holes or eddies, a stout swan-quill float and half a dozen No. 1 shot below it, will be found sufficient for the purpose; and, having ground-baited as directed for barbel, put on two small red worms for the angling bait, or about an inch of the tail of a bright, well-scoured lob worm. The former is preferable. Two hooks, one to rest on the bottom, and one 6 or S in. off it, will be found useful, for sometimes one will be taken, and sometimes the other. The fish being tender-mouthed, should be played gently. After the first rush, a B. soon tires, for his form is not fitted or shaped for a prolonged resistance. The B. has an unpleasant practice of bowing downwards and rubbing the line with his tail, and the line often comes up covered with a thick slime from his body, for a foot or more above the hook. It is needless to remark that this must be cleared off before the tackle is again used. The rod should be a light cane-rod, moderately stiff, and some 12 or 13 ft. long for float-fishing for B. from a boat or punt. Of all baits, worm is decidedly the best. Some recommend bullock's blood and grains to ground bait with, but worms are found to answer all purposes. B. spawn about the end of May, choosing the most weedy spots for that purpose; and after scouring and cleansing in some gentle gravelly stream for a week or two, they return to the deep still holes again. A clay or sandy bottom is preferred to any other. The presence of B. may always be detected by their fondness for coming at times to the top of the water, or, as anglers term it, " Early in the morning, or late in the evening, the whereabouts of B. may always be discovered by their rising then. In Lough Erne the shoals are prodigious, and cause a ripple on the water like a stiff breeze of wind.