Abramis Cuvier, 1816, is a genus of freshwater fish in family family Cyprinidae of order Cypriniformes. The type species is A. brama, the carp bream. Native to the Palearctic ecozone, the Abramis species are widespread throughout northern Europe from France to the Caspian Sea.

These fishes reach maximum overall lengths of 35–82 cm (14–33 in) and maximum recorded weights of about 1–6 kg (2–13 lb). Possessed of laterally-flattened lozenge-shaped bodies, the Abramis species range in coloration from brownish to silver-grey.

Omnivorous, these fishes feed on plant matter, invertebrates, and smaller fish species, and they serve as prey for larger fishes, including pikes.

They are fished both commercially and for sport, especially the economically important carp bream.

The generic name Abramis derives from the Greek αβραμίς (mullet or bream).

Species

• Abramis ballerus – zope
• Abramis brama – carp bream
• Abramis sapa – white-eye bream

References

• "Abramis" (http://www.fishbase.org/Eschmeyer/GeneraSummary.cfm?ID=Abramis). FishBase. Ed. Ranier Froese and Daniel Pauly. October 2004 version. N.p.: FishBase, 2004.