What's this? A photo of a creature that isn't a large charismatic mammal? Although my affinity for carnivores and artiodactyls is difficult to miss, I have taken many photographs that I'm quite pleased with of other sorts of animals, although I don't often post them because I'm not entirely sure what they are. The above photograph is one such case; at the Tiger Mountain exhibit at the Bronx Zoo, the Amur Tigers are provided with a large pool up against the viewing pane filled with fish. (From what I understand the tigers don't eat the fish, and so the fish have things pretty easy overall.) Still, this picture was taken on a cold February morning with the air temperature being about 26 degrees Fahrenheit, so I wonder if their close proximity to each other is related to the conservation of warmth. If anyone recognizes these fish please speak up in the comments (as would be expected, the panels explaining the habitat did not specifically identify these fish).
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they appear to be carp though witht he scale pattern on the foremost one they may be from various types.
I am no specialist but due to the higher amounts of coloring they may be "natural" throwbacks of a Koi breeding used in the pool too keep bugs in check.
hope that helps
I suspect they're common carp (Cyprinus carpio) of some sort; any photos of the entire fish?
I think you are both right; they seem to be members of the Cyprinidae, at least. Unfortunately this is the only picture I have, but whittling it down to "carp" is fine by me. Thanks!
I don't think they're koi - the head looks too high, and I can't see the distinctive barbel at the side of the mouth. I tried to find a better ID, but Cyprinidae is a very big family...
They are indeed Cyprinus carpio forms. The scaling patterns include various large scaled variations known generally as "mirror carp". Supposedly these were line bred by german monks to make scaling easier. Anglers also believe (probably with reason) that "mirrors" grow faster than fully scaled common carp. The variety of scale patterning among commercial carp is immense - the animal whose back at the front is a fairly typical "mirror" - one line of scales down the lateral line and one on the back ridge - behind that is a fully scaled common carp. Look carefully and you may even find entirely scaleless or "leather" carp..they are all however forms of Cyprinus carpio just like japanese koi.