Fins – are the anatomical features of fish that have many distinctive forms. Fins are composed of bones and rays, covered with skin or spines, and arranged in a webbed form as in bony fishes or flippers as a shark has. These features allow the fish to swim with agility or to walk on the floor comfortably. Several types of fins vary among the species, which are narrated below.
What are the Different Types of Fish Fins?Â
Fins are the dominant features that distinguish the fishes from each other as well as allow them to keep the balance of their body while swimming. Different types of fins vary in their shape. These are:
1: Adipose Fins
These fins are found in very few groups of fish such as Myctophidae, Salmonidae, Osmeridae, and some species of Catfish. These fins are tiny and don’t have rays to strengthen them. These fins are located on the top of the fish’s body in between the upper lobe of the caudal fins and the dorsal fins.
2: Dorsal Fins
These fins are located on the upper body or the back of the fish. These fins play a significant role in helping the fish in making quick turns, rolls, and sudden stops. There are 3 types of dorsal fins – proximal, central, and distal fins. The proximal fins usually appear to be in paired form whereas the mid and distal fins are fused.
3: Pectoral Fins
This type of fin is paired and located on each side of the body – generally behind the operculum. Just like the forelimbs of the tetrapod, these fins assist the fish while swimming, produce a dynamic lifting power and allow them to turn left and right.
4: Pelvic Fin
These pair of fins are also named ventral fins which are located on the underside part of the fish body. These fins help the fish in stable swimming and slow down rapidly. The pelvic fins also allow the fish to move up and down along the water current.
5: Caudal Fins
This type of fin is a tail fin which has a symmetrical and asymmetrical pattern, located on the back of the fish. These fins work along with the dorsal fins to provide stable swimming and control the rolling wave of the fish.
6: Anal Fins
The other name for the Anal fins is the Cloacal fins which are located on the ventral side of the fish body – behind the anus. These fins function along with dorsal fins to keep the balance while swimming and are used for steering or to change direction.
7: Scutes
Scutes are commonly known as finlets which are small sizes fins, located between the tail fin and dorsal fins or between the tail fin and anal fins. These fins help the fish to swim at a remarkable speed by slashing through the water waves.
Final Verdict
Fins are the anatomical features that vary in fishes greatly. There are 7 different types of fins are found in different species of fish, Adipose Fins, Dorsal Fins, Pectoral Fins, Pelvic fins, Caudal Fins, Anal fins, and Scutes. The fins help the fishes in swimming, and locomotion, and provides stability or to make a turn while swimming.
