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HOW THE SHAPE OF FISH HELP IN IT'S LOCOMOTION?
A fish uses its fins to swim with, mostly it is the caudal (tail) fin that is used for propulsion while the remaining fins are for balance control and fine maneuvering. However slower moving fish, fish which simply are not in a hurry, or those working in habitats where movement is restricted are quite capable of delicate and direct movements powered only by the dorsal, pectoral and pelvic fins. The pelvic and pectoral fins are both capable of sculling, basically rowing the fish forward.The dorsal and anal fins or many fish are capable of undulating movements in which a series of oscillating waves travel along the fin. These muscularly generated waves provide a steady, if not intense forward thrust. Normal swimming involves sinuous movements of the fish's body to varying degrees. The fish flexes its muscles to produce a series of waves of contraction along each side of the body , these waves of muscular contraction alternate from one side of the fishes body to the other and the result is that the tail of the fish is moved from side to side.Generally fish are "torpedo shaped" with rounded nose, a thicker middle and a tapered tail. The shape of the fishes body is very important to how it swims. Fish with round bodies are good swimmers; fish with shorter bodies can turn quickly.The Fins help the fish swim. The large muscles of the body actually do most of the work, but the fins help with balance and turning.


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