Veiltail Angelfish
Pterophyllum scalare
About this strain
Veiltail is a fin-type mutation rather than a color strain, and it can be applied to virtually any color variety. Veiltail angels carry a dominant gene that dramatically elongates all fins — the dorsal, anal, and caudal fins trail in long, flowing ribbons that can extend well beyond the body length. The effect is spectacular but comes with trade-offs: long fins are fin-nip targets, and Veiltail angels should never be kept with nippy tankmates. They're also slightly slower swimmers. When shopping, inspect fin edges carefully for tears or pinhole damage. Best kept in species-specific or peaceful community setups.
Origin
The Veiltail fin mutation appeared in captive U.S. angelfish populations by the 1950s–60s and has been crossed into nearly every color strain since. No single breeder is credited.