Investigation of scale pattern and deformities in wild common carp (Cyprinus carpio) and breeder’s common carp (Cyprinus carpio) of Iranian hatchery centers

Morphological characteristics of fish, including phenotypic diversity in scale pattern, anal fin, and spine shape, play an important role in their viability and economic value. The aim of this study was to investigate the scale patterns and deformities in wild common carp (Cyprinus carpio) and breeder’s common carp (Cyprinus carpio) of Iranian hatchery centers. In total, 219 samples including 40 wild and 179 farmed common carp (From Silver Carp center in Guilan Province, Cooperative center of 12 in Guilan Province, Shahid Maleki Center in Khuzestan Province) were collected. All farmed and wild Common carp samples were photographed and their other morphological characteristics were examined. The results of this study show different scale patterns in farmed common craps. We observed three different scale patterns in farmed common carp including full scales (Normal), large scales along the lateral line of the body (Line) and a small number of large scales (Mirror). Furthermore, we found a wild common carp with spinal deformation and one farmed common carp missing anal fin. We also found a different scale pattern in farmed common carp that was covered with a disordered full scale. In general, the results of the present research which examines the possible variation in the scale pattern and types of deformities in the appearance of wild and farmed common carp for the first time in Iran, can provide valuable information for further researches in the field of molecular identification of the genetic basis of the variation observed in Common carp.