Quick Facts
Distribution
Interesting Info
- Black Bream are a schooling fish, living in fresh, salt & brackish water.
- They are endemic to southern Australia found mostly in estuaries and lakes.
- Black Bream are opportunistic omnivores, feeding on smaller fish, algae, crabs, mussels, insects, worms & prawns.
- Estimated lifespan is similar to most bream with an average between 3 to 8 years, but up to 29 years.
- Black Bream have a large distribution in Australia including WA, SA, VIC, TAS & NSW
- The main predators of Black Bream include sharks, larger predatory fish and birds.
Species Interaction
Commercial & Recreational Fishing
Black Bream are a popular sports fish for all levels of fishing. They can be caught from shore or boat and are abundant throughout southern Australia. Black Bream also carry a significant commercial relevance in WA, SA and VIC.
Scientific Classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Perciformes
Family: Sparidae
Genus: Acanthopagrus
Species: Acanthopagrus butcheri
Conservation Status
Based on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), Black Bream are not currently categorised as species of concern.
How to catch
Black Bream
Catch Difficulty: Easy
Tackle: Paternoster rig, Running sinker rig, Artificial lure
Bait: Crab, Fresh cut fish bait, Hard-body lures, Pilchards, Prawns, Worms, Yabbies, Soft plastics
Technique: Fish bait near reef or structure, Cast near schooling fish
Popularity: Highly popular target species