Wagtail Platy Platy
Xiphophorus maculatus
About this strain
The Wagtail is defined by its pattern modifier rather than a single base color — the dorsal, caudal, and anal fins are solid jet black while the body retains whatever the underlying color variety is (red wagtail, sunset wagtail, etc.). The contrast between the colored body and black fins is striking and gives the fish a formal, polished look. The 'wagtail' trait is genetically dominant and can be overlaid on almost any color strain. When selecting, look for clean, fully black fins with no fading or peppering; incomplete expression is common in lesser stock. A classic combination that never goes out of style.
Origin
The wagtail fin pattern was established as a recognizable commercial strain by the mid-20th century, popularized largely by commercial breeders in the United States and Europe. It is now produced globally in combination with dozens of body-color strains.