Koi have traditionally seen as a variation of the Common Carp, Cyprinus carpio, however recent analysis has show that most Koi are actually derived from a different species: the Amur Carp. Amur Carp have a lower lateral line scale count than Common Carp and in their wild form exihibit a silver body with red fins. Because of their cultivation as an ornamental species for artificially constructed ponds, Amur Carp have been widely introduced outside of their native range of Eastern Asia, and can now be found in virtually every metropolitan area.