‘Extremely rare’ fish sold at auction for $3,425

A 13-pound mirror carp, nicknamed tiger carp for its stripes, was the object of a bidding war recently among Britain fisheries.

An “extremely rare strain of carp,” a 13-pound mirror carp nicknamed tiger carp for its unique stripes, was the object of a bidding war recently among Britain fisheries, all vying to become the owner of the fish that is believed to be the first of its kind in the U.K.

Renowned fish farmer Mark Simmonds of Heather Fisheries advertised the sale of the tiger carp, and the online bidding opened at $685 USD, according to the Angling Times of the U.K.

Linda Candy, a co-owner of the Todber Manor Fisheries, submitted the winning bid of $3,425 USD. She was said to have purchased the fish as a surprise to her husband John.

The Todber Manor Fisheries is located on 125 acres of Dorset countryside and says it is “home to some of the finest carp and coarse fishing in the southwest.”

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The facility totals 11 lakes, which includes four specimen carp lakes. The lakes are well known for carp fishing, but they also provide one of the few places in Dorset to catch catfish. Unlike the U.S., carp fishing is extremely popular in Europe.

It is unclear what plans Todber Manor has for the high-priced fish, whether it will be put on display or planted into one of its lakes. It is set for delivery in February.

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Angler shatters carp record while fishing for bass

An Idaho angler went bass fishing Sunday, but ended up landing a record-shattering common carp.

An Idaho angler went fishing for bass Sunday, but ended up landing a record-shattering common carp.

Hanson resident Alex Veenstra caught the 30-pound, 4-ounce “mirror” carp while casting a crankbait on the Snake River above Upper Salmon Dam.

“Went bass fishing but ending up catching this guy,” Veenstra wrote on Instagram.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CJELe-ShzHE/

The Idaho Department of Fish and Game announced the record in a news release issued Wednesday, stating that Veenstra’s catch broke the previous record by 10 pounds.

Mirror carp are a variant of common carp, the IDFG explained, known for their mirror-shaped scales. They’re more common – and more prized – in parts of Europe.

Common carp are fairly widespread globally and can grow to 60-plus pounds under suitable conditions.

The all-tackle world record common carp, according to the International Game Fish Assn., stands at 75 pounds, 11 ounces. That fish was caught in 1987 at Lac de St. Cassien, France.

The IGFA does not keep records specific to mirror carp.

–Images showing Alex Veenstra with his record carp are courtesy of the Idaho Department of Fish and Game