What is "mirror carp"

Mirror \Mir"ror\, n. [OE. mirour, F. miroir, OF. also mireor, fr. (assumed) LL. miratorium, fr. mirare to look at, L. mirari to wonder. See Marvel, and cf. Miracle, Mirador.]

1. A looking-glass or a speculum; any glass or polished substance that forms images by the reflection of rays of light.

   And in her hand she held a mirror bright, Wherein her face she often view[`e]d fair.
   --Spenser.

2. That which gives a true representation, or in which a true image may be seen; hence, a pattern; an exemplar.

   She is mirour of all courtesy.
   --Chaucer.

   O goddess, heavenly bright, Mirror of grace and majesty divine.
   --Spenser.

3. (Zo["o]l.) See Speculum. Mirror carp (Zo["o]l.), a domesticated variety of the carp, having only three or fur rows of very large scales side. Mirror plate.

   1. A flat glass mirror without a frame.

   2. Flat glass used for making mirrors.

      Mirror writing, a manner or form of backward writing, making manuscript resembling in slant and order of letters the reflection of ordinary writing in a mirror. The substitution of this manner of writing for the common manner is a symptom of some kinds of nervous disease.

n. A form of carp with irregular and patchy scaling.

n. domestic carp with some large large shining scales

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.

This lack of scales is widely believed to have been bred in by monks in order to make the fish easier to prepare for the table. The current British record (as of 13 December 2009) is a carp known as 'Two tone' due to its colouration, caught from Conningbrook Lakes in Ashford, Kent and weighing in at 67 lbs 14oz (30.45 kg).'Two Tone' was found dead in his lake on 14 August 2010. The current world record (as of June 2012) stands at 101 lbs 4oz, caught from Aqua Lake in Hungary by Roman Hanke.

Contrary to popular belief, a leather carp is not a mirror carp without scales; there is a distinct genetic difference. Leather carp are permitted a few scales either along the dorsal line or the wrist of the tail. Leather carp also have reduced numbers of red blood cells, slowing growth rates, which makes larger leather carp extremely sought after and rare. The biggest known was Heather the Leather at 52lbs (24kg).