Dalmation Lyretail Male Question

[Vladius]

We are new to the hobby after about 20 years away. We have a great tank (29gal) with a great variety of fish. My question is as follows. Our dalmation lyretail male has a strange protrusion. It is about 1/3 his length and appears to be solid. It's a straight black, stick looking thing coming out of the middle back of his belly and goes toward the tail. Any ideas? I have a great picture, but can't seem to find a way to get it on here (short of uploading somewhere else to get a link).

 

[Floyds mum]

We are new to the hobby after about 20 years away. We have a great tank (29gal) with a great variety of fish. My question is as follows. Our dalmation lyretail male has a strange protrusion. It is about 1/3 his length and appears to be solid. It's a straight black, stick looking thing coming out of the middle back of his belly and goes toward the tail. Any ideas? I have a great picture, but can't seem to find a way to get it on here (short of uploading somewhere else to get a link).

Pics would be better so people can give you an accurate opinion.
Try uploading it onto somewhere like photobucket then paste the link in here and pic will show up (needs to be an IMG)

 

[arobinson1984]

Sounds to me like the gonopodium, a male livebearers 'male parts' lol

Andy

 

[Vladius]

We have a friend who used to run a pet store. She said it was just a big, BIG part of his lower fins. Looks weird, though