# Mirror Carp (*Cyprinus carpio*) The Mirror Carp is a special type of carp with shiny scales that look like mirrors. They are very beautiful to see! - **Category:** [Fish](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/fish) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 2/5 · Low - **Habitat:** Ponds and lakes ![Mirror Carp](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771426144/objects/4683.jpg) ## Appearance The Mirror Carp has a deep body covered in scattered, very large, highly reflective scales that give it a unique, patchy appearance. Its skin between these prominent scales is smooth and often grayish-brown to golden-green. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Actinopteri - **Order:** Cypriniformes - **Family:** Cyprinidae - **Genus:** Cyprinus ## Interesting facts - Mirror Carp are a special type of Common Carp, bred by humans for their unique scale patterns! - Some Mirror Carp have lived for over 60 years, making them one of the oldest fish! - They don't have many scales, but the ones they do have can be as big as a coin! - They use their mouth to "suck up" food from the bottom like a tiny vacuum cleaner! ## Special abilities - **Bottom Feeder Sensor:** Mirror Carp can find food in murky water because of four whiskers (barbels) around its mouth that help them sense tasty morsels. - **Tough Survivor:** Mirror Carp has an incredible tolerance to low oxygen and varied water quality because of specialized gills that helps them thrive in tough places. - **Powerful Swimmer:** Mirror Carp can escape danger with a strong, muscular body that helps them quickly propel through the water. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 30-100 cm - **Weight:** 2-25 kg - **Lifespan:** 15-40 years - **Swim Speed:** 10 km/h - **Maximum Depth:** 15 m - **Water Type:** Freshwater ## Diet & Feeding Mirror Carp munch on almost anything they find, from plants to tiny critters! - **Primary Foods:** aquatic insects, crustaceans, worms, plant matter, algae, detritus - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eats:** Freshwater Shrimp (*Gammarus pulex*) — Mirror Carp often feed on these small crustaceans. - **Eats:** Bloodworm (midge larva) (*Chironomus plumosus*) — These larvae are a common food for carp in muddy bottoms. - **Eaten by:** [Osprey](https://www.snappit.app/explore/osprey) (*Pandion haliaetus*) — Ospreys hunt and eat Mirror Carp found near the surface. ## Traits - [Wildlife](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/wildlife): Wildlife encompasses all undomesticated animal and plant life existing in their natural habitats. - [Omnivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/omnivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet includes both plant and animal matter. - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [Freshwater](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/freshwater): Freshwater habitats include non-saline aquatic environments such as rivers, lakes, ponds, and wetlands, vital for numerous species. - [Aquatic](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/aquatic): Aquatic habitats encompass environments where organisms live predominantly in water, including oceans, rivers, lakes, and wetlands. - [Nocturnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/nocturnal): Nocturnal animals are primarily active during the nighttime hours, typically resting or sleeping during the day. ## Collections - [Fish](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/fish) ## Safety **Danger:** 2/5 · Low Watch quietly from a distance and never try to feed or chase wild animals. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Mirror Carp? Look at body shape, where the fins sit and their outline, mouth position, stripes and spots. Young fish and breeding adults can wear different patterns, and aquarium color varieties can look nothing like wild fish. Fish Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Mirror Carp? 30-100 cm ### How much does Mirror Carp weigh? 2-25 kg ### How long does Mirror Carp live? 15-40 years ### What does Mirror Carp eat? Mirror Carp munch on almost anything they find, from plants to tiny critters! ### How fast can Mirror Carp swim? 10 km/h ### Where is Mirror Carp usually found? Ponds and lakes ### How does Mirror Carp hunt? Foraging ## Where to spot - [Alan Bible Visitor Center](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/alan-bible-visitor-center) — Nevada, US · Botanical Garden ## More Fish - [Rainbow Trout](https://www.snappit.app/explore/rainbow-trout) (*Oncorhynchus mykiss*) - [Brown Trout](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brown-trout) (*Salmo trutta*) - [Brook Trout](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brook-trout) (*Salvelinus fontinalis*) - [Lake Trout](https://www.snappit.app/explore/lake-trout) (*Salvelinus namaycush*) --- Source: [Mirror Carp: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/mirror-carp)