Help on a cool rare trophy

Looks like a Mirror Carp to me. Koi, I believe are created by humans breeding various carp to get the desired colors so I'm not sure how you can tell for certain. But, given the fact that Koi this size can get quite expensive I doubt it was released by somebody. Statistically speaking, sheer numbers of what's out there puts it in the Mirror Carp column. Plus, all the Koi I have seen have been full scaled.

P.S. Josh is indeed the man for molding the weird stuff (lol). He did an Asian Arowana for me that turned out great.) Jimmy Lawrence I understand is also molding fish these days. And, I'm sure there might be a few others out there too that might be interested. Either might also be able to do the skin mount for you too. Maybe. I don't know what Rick is up to these days but I didn't think he molded fish, but I could be wrong. Good luck and congrats!

 

Dog soldier chick
one consideration in molding, is that the process will capture all body punctures, missing scales, split fins etc. Handling of the fish to be molded is very important.
Your specimen, will involve retooling the mold or for a "one off", chasing the cast.
Just something to consider in regards to molding..

 

If someone brought me that fish I'd tell them I wasn't interested. ;D

 

If I were you I'd recommend purchasing a blank with similar dimensions and going that route. Unless you want to spend about twice as much or more on a custom mold. Then you'll have all that repair work Dondi spoke of too. Personally, like Cecil I too would not accept it for a skin mount. I think your best option might be to freeze it an do it all yourself when you're ready. JMO...

 

Don't be discouraged by ceci'ls comment as he now lives in the twilight zone.

Defiantly a fish worth molding, you collected it and are obviously excited about it. Google "molding fish", find Josh's video, learn how to do it and give it a try. Superglue any splits in the fins together and fill the arrow holes before molding. After molding, like Dondi suggested, tool the mold by grinding and smoothing out any touch-up flaws.

It's a kio fish variation for sure. Cool colors!

 

Could be wrong but looks like a variation of linear Koi. I have this mirror carp I'm about to mold. I will fill the holes with clay and then make a bondo mold.

 

If I were you I'd recommend purchasing a blank with similar dimensions and going that route. Unless you want to spend about twice as much or more on a custom mold. Then you'll have all that repair work Dondi spoke of too. Personally, like Cecil I too would not accept it for a skin mount. I think your best option might be to freeze it an do it all yourself when you're ready. JMO...
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I would go with a similar blank as well and paint to match your fish. It's all about the paint job with a carp like that.

 

;D

 

A non-fully scaled Mirror Carp looks a bit closer to this fish vs. the fully scaled pic. But, the more I look at it your fish's colors, I too believe it is out of the realm of colors I've seen Mirror Carp within. I think some others are correct. It's most likely some Koi variation. Which means even fewer blanks available so a custom mold (and or skin mount) are probably your only options anyway. And given your new info that you have some experience casting then by all means I would mold it myself if I were you. (You sound like you're OCD about your work like some of us, so I would bet this wouldn't be that difficult for you to mold) And, much more rewarding and you have total control. As far as "doing something higher", I'm not sure what you mean DSC?

P.S. Too bad JoshK doesn't chime in. He could probably tell you with probable certainty what exactly you have. He amazes me sometimes with his ability to see various species in a hybrid!

 

You can have the best of both worlds. I have done a few bow-shot carp and fixing holes in large scaled fish is easy! That is what God made epoxy sculpt for, right? I does not appear to be a huge fish. You could mold the front in silicone, back in bondo or even plaster. Then refreeze it, and try a skin mount once you tighten scales and skin with a bit of alum(tightens skin and scales.) I bet you can pull it off nicely........share the results. Not all of us who detest Trumpfuehrer are in the twighlight zone........neither is Cecil.

 

Way cool! I'm traveling to Louisiana and at the airport but shoot me an email and we can look at a good time for a conversation.

Rick Krane

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