Carp Biology

There are 4 main scale types displayed by carp;

1. Fully scaled carp(Common or Wild Type)
2. Mirror carp (Small number of large, randomly clustered scales on body)
3. Linear carp(Usually a single row of large scales along lateral line)
4. Leather carp(Very few or no scales on body)

The scale pattern of carp offspring can be predicted from the patterns of the parents.

All true carp are fully scaled but with the advent of semi-domestication around the 16th Century, varieties of carp without scales were bred. Different body shapes were also selected , with the aim of producing a scaleless fish with a deep body which would be easier to clean and fit nicely on a plate.