Lyretail Molly Molly
Poecilia sphenops
About this strain
Distinguished by the dramatically elongated upper and lower rays of the caudal fin that flare out and curve, creating a lyre or crescent silhouette — the body coloration itself can be black, dalmatian, gold, or silver, so the fin shape is the defining feature here. The lyretail trait is a fin mutation bred onto existing color strains rather than a standalone color variety. Long-finned fish are more susceptible to fin nipping, so tank mates matter; avoid nippy species like tiger barbs. Keep water clean and well-oxygenated to prevent fin rot. Males with well-maintained lyretails in good condition are genuinely impressive display fish.
Origin
The lyretail mutation has been selectively fixed across multiple molly strains in Southeast Asian and US commercial aquaculture since the 1980s, with widespread availability in the hobby by the 1990s. The trait appears in both P. sphenops and P. latipinna lines.