Mirror carp

Mirror carp are a type of fish, commonly found in Europe. The name "mirror carp" originates from their scales' resemblance to mirrors. They can grow in excess of 60 lbs - the last few British record fish have all been mirror carp.

The difference between mirror and its wild ancestor, the common carp is both genetic and visual - biologically they are similar. The mirror carp was the first mutation of common carp, owing to two alternative genes, the S allele and the N allele. The genetic term for a mirror carp is "ssnn" (all minor). Common carp have an even, regular scale pattern, whereas mirrors have irregular and patchy scaling, making many fish unique and possible to identify individual fish by sight, leading to most carp in the UK over 40 lbs being nicknamed. Mirror carp usually belong to the common carp's Nominate subspecies, C. c. carpio.