Geographical distribution
Large rivers in Baltic, North Sea, Black Sea and Caspian basins; notably the Weser, Elbe and Volga.
- Documented presence : Elbe basin
- Documented presence : Volga basin
Documented areas, not an exhaustive list. Presence in a region does not imply presence in every water body or permission to fish.
Distribution sources
- FishBase — Ballerus ballerus · accessed on
- NatureGate — Brème bleue, Ballerus ballerus · accessed on
- EPPO — Abramis ballerus, nom français historique · accessed on
Identification
Upturned mouth, small eye.
The Upper Austrian federation also describes small scales, a longer lower tail lobe and pale fins with dark margins. These features supplement the upturned mouth and small eye.
Habitat
Lowland rivers, backwaters and eutrophic lakes.
Diet
Mainly zooplankton.
Behaviour
Moves upstream to reach spawning grounds.
Spawning takes place near banks, on submerged vegetation or gravel in moderate current. Males may defend a spawning territory.
Indicative biological size
Commonly 20 cm total length.
Fishing context and precautions
Upper Austria, general rules: Ballerus ballerus is protected throughout the year. No targeting, holding alive or retention; incidental captures must be released immediately with the greatest care. Check the venue’s specific regulations; intending to release it does not permit targeting.
A distinctive feature
Young use flooded river margins.
Sources and review
Each reference includes its access date. Overall editorial review: . Local conditions and regulations may change.
- FishBase — Ballerus ballerus · accessed on
- NatureGate — Brème bleue, Ballerus ballerus · accessed on
- EPPO — Abramis ballerus, nom français historique · accessed on
- Administration de la réserve de biosphère Niedersächsische Elbtalaue — Fishing in the Elbe, données d’inventaire 2007 · accessed on
- Oö. Landesfischereiverband — Zope, Ballerus ballerus, fiche et protection en Haute-Autriche · accessed on
- RIS — Oö. Fischereiverordnung §17, version actuelle, espèces protégées toute l’année · accessed on
- RIS — Oö. Fischereigesetz2020, consolidation affichée au19octobre2026, §§29–30 · accessed on
- WWF Allemagne / Florian Hoffmann, conseil R.Arlinghaus et T.Schaarschmidt — Fische angeln und wieder zurücksetzen, mai2024, précautions générales p.6 et9 · accessed on
- Oö. Landesfischereiverband — Donaufischereiordnung, copie du règlement particulier, version indiquée au1octobre2020, §1 · accessed on