Fish Tails

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The caudal fin is the tail fin (from the Latin cauda meaning tail), located at the end of the caudal peduncle. It is used for propulsion in most taxa (see also body-caudal fin locomotion). The tail fin is supported by the vertebrae of the axial skeleton and pterygiophores (radials). Depending on the relationship with the axial skeleton, four types of caudal fins (A-D) are distinguished: The pelvic fins, located on the fish’s underside, can provide information about the fish’s reproductive system and behavior. (Source: FishBase) For example, the shape of the lower lobe of the caudal fin can be straight, pointed, rounded, or forked. The location of the origin of the anal fin can be closer to the head or tail, depending on the species. Other features that can be used are:

Pectoral fins: Found in pairs on each side, usually just behind the operculum. Pectoral fins are homologous to the forelimbs of tetrapods, and aid walking in several fish species such as some anglerfish and the mudskipper. A peculiar function of pectoral fins, highly developed in some fish, is the creation of the dynamic lifting force that assists some fish such as sharks in maintaining depth and also enables the "flight" for flying fish. Certain rays of the pectoral fins may be adapted into finger-like projections, such as in sea robins and flying gurnards. Chilmonczyk, S. (1992). "The thymus in fish: development and possible function in the immune response". Annual Review of Fish Diseases. 2: 181–200. doi: 10.1016/0959-8030(92)90063-4.

Woodhams PL (1977). "The ultrastructure of a cerebellar analogue in octopus". J Comp Neurol. 174 (2): 329–45. doi: 10.1002/cne.901740209. PMID 864041. S2CID 43112389. Less drag is produced by an emarginated-shaped tail such as those possessed by schoolmaster snappers and the freshwater fishes known as trout. An emarginated tail has a relatively broad surface but the surface is slightly indented in the center. In 2004, Hugh Herr at MIT prototyped a biomechatronic robotic fish with a living actuator by surgically transplanting muscles from frog legs to the robot and then making the robot swim by pulsing the muscle fibers with electricity. [100] [101] The bones that support the anal fin are called pterygiophores. There are up to two series, a proximal series (axonosts) and a distal series (baseosts) Moreover, a scientific study found that the rounded tail is mostly associated with fish that swim slowly or have a sedentary lifestyle. This tail shape gives them stability, maneuverability, and precision movements for feeding, breeding, or predator avoidance.

So, by looking at tail shape and other physical features, it’s possible to correctly identify fish species. Rounded Tail a b c d Romer, Alfred Sherwood; Parsons, Thomas S. (1977). The Vertebrate Body. Philadelphia, PA: Holt-Saunders International. pp.161–170. ISBN 978-0-03-910284-5. Anal fin– Located on the underside of the fish. It helps stabilize the fish while swimming. Position varies by species.a b Brahic, Catherine (28 March 2008). "Dolphins swim so fast it hurts". New Scientist . Retrieved 31 March 2008. This section will explore how to identify fish species by their distinctive tail shape characteristics, including those with homocercal, heterocercal, rounded, forked, and lanceolate tail shapes. Understanding these nuances will equip anglers and fish enthusiasts with the knowledge to distinguish different species of fish by their tail shapes. a b c Romer, A.S. (1949): The Vertebrate Body. W.B. Saunders, Philadelphia. (2nd ed. 1955; 3rd ed. 1962; 4th ed. 1970) Araújo, Andréa Soares de; do Nascimento, Wallace Silva; Yamamoto, Maria Emília; Chellappa, Sathyabama (2012). "Temporal Dynamics of Reproduction of the Neotropical Fish,Crenicichla menezesi(Perciformes: Cichlidae)". The Scientific World Journal. Hindawi Limited. 2012: 1–10. doi: 10.1100/2012/579051. ISSN 1537-744X. PMC 3415153. PMID 22919339.