Female fish like guys who sport a 'stache

Maggie Koerth 8:14 am Mon Jun 28, 2010

You know, I realize that I'm in the minority of human females (or, at least, American ones) in that I tend to like a little well-kept facial hair on a fella. But, it's gratifying to know that female molly fish, at least, agree with me.

Scientists were unsure why male Mexican mollies wear an extravagant moustache-like structure on their top lip. Now a study has revealed that female fish find the moustache sexually attractive, and it is likely to be a sexually selected trait … The results were clear: on experiments involving over 100 fish, females consistently preferred males with moustaches.

OK, well, we don't entirely agree*. Moustache-only is a little early-80s Tom of Finland** for my taste, but to each their own.

*For instance, despite the other findings of this research, I am not making a statement here about why I like facial hair. Just thought I'd nip those jokes in the bud upfront.

**Am I the only one who occasionally gets Tom's of Maine and Tom of Finland switched around? Isn't that awkward?

BBC: Male Fish in Mexico Sport a Sexy Moustache

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