.....Ancestry of Nishikigoi.... Cyprinus carpio

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Black carp or "Magoi" The black carp are one of the main carp strains that develped the koi we see today. They are very similar to the common carp and basically differ in color and some body conformation. . . Common carp Common carp are covered, completely, with uniformed rows of scales. The fish appear a dark brown color when viewed in the water from above, but when seen side on, the scales on the fishes flanks show a bright golden color, depending on water quality. ..... .... Wild carp (Silver) The Wild carp is not unlike the Common carp in colour and scale pattern, sometimes leading to confusion between them. A true "wildie" is much slimmer in comparison, and has a body shape a little similar to that of the Barbel. Two examples are shown, one in a silver color and one in red. . . Wild carp Doitsu Version one is wild color the other in red. . . Mirror carp .Mirror carp were selectively bred from Common carp to be free of scales (nacreous), to save de-scaling before cooking. Its body is `sprinkled` with reflective scales of varying sizes and no set pattern. Each mirror carp has its own personal scale pattern, no two fish are the same. The scale patterns are as individual as fingerprints and fish can be identified by them. . Full Mirror carp A mirror carp with body completely covered in large non-uniform scales.  They are the rarest carp strain. . . Linear Mirror Linear mirror are simply carp, with a slightly more "organized" scale pattern. The linear carp has  just two rows of scales along each flank. One row runs the full length of the fishes body, along its lateral line, and the other runs from just behind the head, along its back and along the dorsal fin. There are no "misplaced" scales. . . Leather carp The leather carp are completely free of scales. Originally bred by commercial breeders to provide a fish that would be easier to prepare for market. A carp totally free of scales is incredibly rare. Some anglers make an exception, for the odd small scale across the fishes back or at the base of the dorsal. . . Ghost Koi Bred from crossbreeding Commons, Mirrors or Leathers with ornamental Koi Carp. Some anglers report that these are a harder fighting variety of fish.Ghost Koi can take on the scale patterns of any of the fish above, but show colorings like the one shown. The `brightness` and shades of the markings can vary greatly, from very bright and apparent, to dull and not so apparent. .. . Koi Carp The Koi carp is a first cross between a Magoi and a colored carp"Koi". .