Function of Fins in Fish

INTRODUCTION
In aquatic animal like fish, swimming is their own form of locomotion to move
in water. Highlighting the word locomotion, there are several problems in fish
locomotion. The main problem faced by fish in their locomotion is the stability of
itselves when moving in the water. When talking about stability, the first problem
experienced by the fish is pitching. Pitching is the tendency to move upward and
downward which makes the fish lose its stability. The second one is the yawing, the
fish are being pushed to the left and right by the water current. Another problem
bothering the fish is rolling which makes the fish roll to the left and right. Thus, to
overcome this problem in fish is by having fins in fishs body like unpaired fin, paired
fins, caudal fin and anal fins.
Locomotion using body undulation is not achieved independently from n

motion, and the vast majority of sh locomotor patterns utilize both the body and ns
(Lauder & Tanggora, 2015). Commonly, in water, fish will move their fins especially
the caudal fin (which is also known as fishs tail) and pectoral fin that is located at the
both side of fish body. However, there are another part used by the fish to move or
swim in the water. Boyar (1967) stated that fish use their body or trunk for locomotion
and the caudal fin used as motor and the other fins like pectoral, pelvic fin and dorsal
fins used for steerage, brake and balancing the fish in water.
In this report, the swimming fish behaviour will be discussed. Fishes in the
aquarium are observed in order to study how some group of fishes swim and how the
fish use their fins to move in water. Several species of fish are being observed to
distinguish the swimming behaviour.
OBEJCTIVES
1. To study the role of fishs fins in swimming.
MATERIAL AND APPARATUS
1. A pair of eyes
METHODOLOGY
1. The swimming behaviour of fishes in the aquarium were observed.

RESULT
Types of fin Function in swimming of the fish
Pectoral fin Used as a paddle, enable the fish to turn

left or right when the fish is slowly
moving.
Pelvic fin The pelvic fin aid the fish in going up or

down through the water, turning sharply,
and stopping quickly.
Anal fin Used to stabilize the fish while swimming

as well as preventing the fish from
rolling, yawing.
Caudal fin Used to propel the fish forward by

moving tail to the left and right. Caudal
fin also help the fish to increase the
speed by moving it fast.
Dorsal fin Act as a balancer to prevent the fish from

rolling and also help to stabilize the fish
when swimming. Dorsal fin also assists
the fish in it sudden stops and turns. The
dorsal fin will widened when the fish
stops.
Figure 1. Types of fin in fish and its function in swimming

Type of fish Description
Grouper From the observation, grouper uses its

pectoral fin as a paddle, turning to the
left or right along with the locomotion of
its caudal fin which assist the grouper to
move forward. The pelvic fin helps the
grouper to move upward or going down
the water.
Humphead wrasse The humphead wrasse can move

forward without its caudal fin moving
and only using the pectoral fin to move
or turning left or right. The anal and
pelvic fin function in stabilizing the fish
and assisting the fish to go up and down
respectively. Unlike grouper, humphead
wrasse fish move its dorsal fin when it
goes upward and stop moving its dorsal
fin when swimming in straight.
Blue tang fish The blue tang fish rarely move its caudal
fin but the pectoral fin moved most of the
time to swim, and especially to turn
around. The pectoral fin will be moved
quickly to increase the speed.
Clown fish The clown fish will use its dorsal fin,
caudal fin and pectoral fin to keep itself
in one place. Clown fish are small in size
and are easily carried by the stream so
to prevent this, this fish must move these
three fins in one time in order to stabilize
as well as to help the fish move forward,
turning around and go up or down the
water.
Figure 2. Description on fish swimming

Function of Fins in Fish

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INTRODUCTION

Locomotion using body undulation is not achieved independently from n

1. To study the role of fishs fins in swimming.

MATERIAL AND APPARATUS

1. The swimming behaviour of fishes in the aquarium were observed.

Types of fin Function in swimming of the fish

Pectoral fin Used as a paddle, enable the fish to turn

Pelvic fin The pelvic fin aid the fish in going up or

Anal fin Used to stabilize the fish while swimming

Caudal fin Used to propel the fish forward by

Dorsal fin Act as a balancer to prevent the fish from

Figure 1. Types of fin in fish and its function in swimming

Grouper From the observation, grouper uses its

Humphead wrasse The humphead wrasse can move

Figure 2. Description on fish swimming

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