What is the name of this type of Mermaid Toy from the 80s?

http://www.opal-ink.com/mermaid.jpg

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Request for Question Clarification by pinkfreud-ga on 26 Feb 2006 12:08 PST

I believe those dolls are from Hasbro/Playskool's "My Pretty Mermaid"
collection. These were plastic mermaid dolls with jointed tails and
long, colorful hair. Each doll had a special symbol on the tailfin.
The symbol would appear if you dipped the tail in cold water, and
disappear if you dipped the tail in hot water.

Here's a good photo of a "My Pretty Mermaid" doll:

http://cgi.ebay.com/beautiful-little-playskool-my-pretty-mermaid_W0QQitemZ6020605532QQcategoryZ2576QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem#ebayphotohosting

Some of the tailfin symbols:

http://www.geocities.com/belly_luv/amrainbowsymbols.jpg

More info about "My Pretty Mermaids," and links to photos:

http://www.geocities.com/belly_luv/MyPrettyMermaidHome.html

If you agree that this is the correct type of doll, please let me
know, and I'll be glad to repost this information as your official
answer.

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Clarification of Question by maeve100-ga on 26 Feb 2006 15:58 PST

Yes, pinkfreud-ga, you hit it on the dot!  Thats the answer I needed :-).

Liz

I'm delighted to have been able to help you identify your mermaids! A
friend's granddaughter once had a collection of "My Pretty Mermaid"
dolls (plus a single merman who came in wedding attire). The child
also had a set of "My Little Pony" figures.  When my friend's
granddaughter saw "Fantasia," she was fascinated by the animated
centaurs, and the closest she could come to creating centaurs was to
put mermaids on top of ponies!

As I mentioned above, this site offers a wealth of information about
the various "My Pretty Mermaid" dolls:

My Pretty Mermaid Home
http://www.geocities.com/belly_luv/MyPrettyMermaidHome.html

This eBay auction offers a good photo of a lineup of "My Pretty
Mermaids" (plus the merman):

http://cgi.ebay.com/Large-Lot-Mermaid-Dolls-NO-RESERVE_W0QQitemZ6038241385QQcategoryZ44036QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Best regards,
pinkfreud