Wuchang bream (Megalobrama amblycephala)

Scientific name: Megalobrama amblycephala Yih, 1955

The Wuchang bream (Megalobrama amblycephala) is a freshwater fish of the family Cyprinidae. In the aquarium it needs water at 10–20°C (50–68°F). Native range: Asia, middle reaches of Yangtze River, mainland China. Found in Newshan Lake (a bay of Liangzi Lake with an area of 256 sq km) and Yuli Lake.

Wuchang bream care at a glance

Temperature: 10–20°C (50–68°F)

Biology

Dorsal spines (total): 3; Dorsal soft rays (total): 7; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 25 - 27. Black gray in the back, silver white in the stomach. Several vertical black strips in the side. Green gray colored in all fins.

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name: Megalobrama amblycephala
Family: Cyprinidae (Minnows or carps)
Order: Cypriniformes (Carps)
Class: Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length: 200
Depth range: 5–20 m (16–66 ft)
Environment: Freshwater; benthopelagic; depth range 5 - 20 m
Climate: Temperate
Distribution: Asia: middle reaches of Yangtze River, mainland China. Found in Newshan Lake (a bay of Liangzi Lake with an area of 256 sq km) and Yuli Lake.
Conservation status (IUCN): Not Evaluated
Threat to humans: Harmless
Uses: Fisheries: highly commercial; aquaculture: commercial
Resilience: Very Low, minimum population doubling time more than 14 years (Preliminary K or Fecundity.)

Sources

Taxonomy, distribution and biology data: FishBase (Froese, R. and D. Pauly, eds.), licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Last updated 27 September 2026