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A noticeable difference in scale
pattern is what separates the
Leather Carp from its cousins, in
fact the majority of Leather Carp
have next to no scales at all. The
most common myth surrounding the
Leather is that they have no scales
what so ever, whereas the truth is
that they have only a few scales.
The main thing to look out for when
trying to tell the difference
between Leather and Mirror Carp is
the dorsal row of scales on a true
Leather they are missing or
incomplete. They are most similar to
the Mirror Carp in shape with
slightly deeper bodies than the
Common Carp.
Like most of the Carp species,
Leather Carp can tolerate a wide
range of habitat conditions,
although they tend to thrive best in
well oxygenated lakes with a
moderate amount of natural weed and
hence food. Leather Carp are not
just different in appearance to
other Carp, but they have distinct
genetic differences the main one
being the decidedly lower red blood
cell count which is responsible for
the much slower growth rates when
compared to your average Mirror
Carp. |
