Fins:

Fins are the chief organs of locomotion in fishes. These are either folds of skin or
projections from the body surface. The fins are supported by fin-rays. These
supporting rays may be bony, cartilaginous, fibrous or horny.

There are mainly two types of fins in fishes:

(1) Unpaired or median fins and

(2) Paired lateral fins.

(1) Unpaired Median Fins:

These include 1 or 2 dorsal fins along mid-dorsal line, a ventral anal fin behind
anus or vent (cloaca) and a tail or caudal fin around the tip of tail. Dorsal fins may
be in a series or reduced or absent. Anal fins may be absent especially in bottom
dwellers.

2) Paired Lateral Fins:

The paired fins are the pectorals and pelvics corresponding to the fore- and hind-
limbs of the terrestrial vertebrates. These include pectoral fins anteriorly and pelvic
fins posteriorly. Pelvic fins are called thoracic when placed below the pectoral fins
and abdominal when situated just in front of anus. In some cases they are absent.

Both the unpaired median and paired fins are supported by skeletal rods called
radials and dermal fin rays. A great variety of fins is observed in fishes. The
diversity in fin system in fishes is due to their adaptive responsiveness.
Use of Fins:

Fish swim mainly by lateral movement of tail and tail fin. Other fins are mainly
used as steering devices and rudders. When the body is at rest, the paired lateral
fins serve to maintain equilibrium. Fins are also modified to serve other purposes.
Lung-fishes use them as legs in walking.

The flying fish use their large and extended pectoral fins for gliding. Pelvic fins in
some male Chondrichthyes become modified as claspers. In remoras, anterior
dorsal fin forms an adhesive disc or sucker on head. In some teleosts the anal fin
forms an intromittent organ or ovipositor.

Origin of Fins:

The first chordates lacked paired appendages but it is universally accepted that
tetrapod limbs arose during evolution from the fins of fishes. However, clues to the
origin of fins themselves have remained obscure and unresolved. The median or
unpaired fins in fishes are believed to have originated from a continuous fold of
tissue.

These folds extend from the posterior region of the head and continue posteriorly
around the tail and extend up to anus. This fold of skin is supported by a series of
parallel cartilaginous rods. During the course of development each supporting rod
divides into a lower basal piece, embedded in the body wall and an upper radial
piece, lying in the fin fold.

From such a continuous fin-fold, the dorsal, caudal and anal fins have been
evolved by restriction of radials at certain areas and the progressive degeneration
of fold between them.
Several theories have been advanced to explain the source and manner of
origin of fins (Figs. 17.2 and 17.3):
 Fish Fins: Types,
Modification and Functions
Fins are one of the most distinguishing features of a fish and they have several
different forms. Two types of fins are found in most of the fish: median and paired
fins. Median fins are single in number which runs down the mid-line of the body. In
fishes, median fins are dorsal, caudal and anal fins while paired fins are pectoral and
pelvic which are arranged in pairs homologous to human arms and legs. Fins help to
swim and maintain the balance of the body. Fins also help to identify the fish species.
Different types of median and paired fins are described below:
 Fish showing different types of fins

Dorsal Fin
This type of fin is located on the top or back of the fish which help the fish in quick
turns or stops. It also helps the fish against rolling.  In fish, there are three distinct
dorsal fins such as proximal, central or middle, and distal dorsal fins. Some fish have
two dorsal fins where the central and distal fins are combined together.

The Types of Dorsal Fins

 Single
 Pointed
 Split
 Spine triangular
 Trigger
 Trailing

Pelvic Fin
In fishes, a pair of pelvic fins are present which are located ventrally below and
behind the pectoral fins. In some fishes, they are situated in front of the pectoral fins
(Cod family).  This type of fin helps in stability and slowing down the fish. Generally,
fish use pelvic fins for moving upwards and downwards in the water.

Anal Fin
The Anal fin is also known as cloacal fin which is located on the ventral side just
behind the anus. It supports the dorsal fin and stabilizes the fish during swimming and
contrinols the rolling motion.

Pectoral Fin
Pectoral fins are located on both sides usually just behind the operculum. It is
homologous to the tetrapod`s forelimbs. It provides supports during swimming. It
creates dynamic lifting force and also helps the fish to turn left or right.

Adipose Fin
They are soft fins and located between the dorsal and caudal fins, usually very near to
the caudal fin. It is mainly found in Salmonidae, Characins, and catfishes. This type of
fin help to navigate the fish in rough water.

Caudal Fin
The caudal fin is the primary appendage which is used for locomotion in many fishes.
The caudal fin is also known as tail fin or a median fin which is usually homocercal or
heterocercal. Generally, it is a vertically expanded structure which is located at the
caudal end of the body. The base of the caudal fin is known as caudal peduncle with
strong swimming muscles.  In general, caudal fin acts like a propeller while the caudal
peduncle functions as a motor.

The caudal fin has two lobes such as dorsal epichordal and ventral hypochordal lobe
which are supported by the modified last three caudal vertebrae. The shape of the
caudal fin may vary in different species from rounded to pointed, notched,
emarginated, truncated, etc. It is used to identify the fish species. Generally, fish use it
for forwarding propulsion and speed.

The caudal fin of the adult fishes may be grouped into three categories:

1. Protocercal Caudal Fin

It is the most primitive type of caudal fin where the straight vertebral column divides
the caudal fin into two equal lobes such as upper lobe and lower lobe. In this case, the
upper lobe is known as epichordal or epicaudal and the lower lobe is called
hypochordal or hypocaudal lobe. A series of rods are arranged around the central axis
of the caudal region, which support the fin membrane. Undoubtedly, during the
developmental period, the caudal fin of all fishes passes through the protocercal stage.
This type of fin is found in cyclostomes and the living dipnoans(lungfishes).

2. Heterocercal Caudal Fin

The heterocercal tail is sometimes called the shark-tail type of caudal
fin.Elasmobranch (cartilaginous fish) and some primitive type of bony fishes contain
this type of fin.  This fin has two unequal lobes where the upper smaller lobe is known
as epichordal lobe and a much larger lower lobe is known as hypochordal lobe. In this
case, the hind end of the vertebral column becomes bent upwards and continues
almost up to the tip of the fin.

3. Homocercal Caudal Fin

Most of the higher teleosts have homocercal caudal fin. It has superficially
symmetrical and two equal sized lobes such as upper epichordal and the lower
hypochordal lobe. Internally, this tail is asymmetrical and the hinder end part of the
vertebral column is greatly shortened and turned upward.  In this case, the vertebral
column does not touch the posterior limit of the fin..

Different types of Caudal Fins

Varieties of Caudal Fins
The internal and external structure of caudal fin varies which depends on the
swimming habits of the fish. Generally, these variations involve special modification
of the vertebral column. Following seven main types of caudal fins are found in
fishes:

 Lunate or Crescentic: It is used for Continuous long distance swimming.  e.g.

Tuna

 Forked: It is used for rapid swimming, e.g. Herring, Mackeral.

 Emarginate: e.g. Trout, Carp, Perch.
 Truncate: It aids in turning quickly. e.g. Flounder

 Rounded: It is used for slow swimming, accelerating, and maneuvering. e.g.

Turbot and Lemon-Sole.

 Pointed: e.g. Gobby
 Double emarginate
 Caudal fins shapes

Modifications of Caudal Fin

Many fishes have specialized modified types of caudal fins such as:

 Isocercal or leptocercal
 Internally symmetrical Caudal Fin
 Pseudocercal Caudal Fin
 Hypocercal Caudal Fin
 Gephyrocercal Caudal Fin

(1) Isocercal or Leptocercal

In some fishes, tapering and symmetrical types of fin is present which is known as
isocercal or leptocercal caudal fin. In this case, the spine is long with a straight rod-
like structure. Rat tails (Macruidae), Blennies (Blennidae) Eels (Anguilliformes),
feather backs (Notopteridae), and Gymnarchids (Gymnarchidae), etc have the
isocercal caudal fin. 

(2) Internally Symmetrical Caudal Fin

This is a reduced type of caudal fin where some fin elements are fused together. They
are found in cods (Order: Gadiformes).

(3) Pseudocaudal Caudal Fin

In the modern lungfishes (Dipnoi), the pseudocaudal caudal fins are found. In this
case, fins are developed from the backward growth of dorsal and ventral elements.

(4) Hypocercal Caudal Fin.

This type of caudal fin bears much larger dorsal lobe than the ventral lobe which is
greatly reduced. They are found in certain early Agnathans. It is also known as
inverted heterocercal caudal fin. In this case, the vertebral axis turns downwards
sharply where the lobe develops from its upper surface. .

(5) Gephyrocercal Caudal Fin

It is a very specialized type of caudal fin which is also known as bridge caudal fin.
Generally, they look like the isocercal fin but the fins are reduced to vestiges. In this
case, the caudal lobe is truncated where hypurals of the spinal column are lacking.
These types of fins are found in the pearlfishes (Carpus), Flerasfer and Orthagoriscus.

Functions of Fins
Fish use their fins for various purposes. Some important functions of fins are
described below:  

 Generally, the pectoral fins help a fish for turning.

 Some bony fishes use their pectoral fins to help them rest on the bottom or on

reef areas (e.g. Cirrhitichthys).

 Mudskippers (Periophthalmidae family) use pectoral fins for supporting

themselves on land.

 Flying fish (Exocoetidae family) use their long pectoral fins for gliding over the

water.

 Pectoral fins of some bottom-residence fishes such as threadfins

(Polynemidae) bear touch receptors and taste buds which help to trace food.
 Pelvic fins help the fish stability in the water.

 Pelvic fins of some fishes such as clingfishes (family Gobiesocidae) use as

sucking appendage, which helps a fish hold on to stationary objects on the ocean

bottom.
 Most of the bony fishes use their dorsal fin for sudden direction changes.
 Dorsal fins act as a ‘keel’ for keeping the fish stable in the water.

 Some angelfishes (Lophiiformes) use their dorsal fin as a lure which helps to

attract the prey.

 The modified dorsal fin of some fishes (Echeneidae) use as a sucking disc.

 African knife fish (Gymnarchus niloticus) use its dorsal fin to move forward or

backward by creating undulating.

 Most of the bony fish use their caudal fins for propulsion.

 Lunate caudal fins are characteristic features of fast swimmers such as tunas.

They use it for maintaining rapid speed for long duration..

 Anal fins make stability and anal fins of some bony fishes help in

reproduction. 
 Sea Robin fish use their pelvic fin for walking along the substrate.
 Some fishes such as Freshwater butterflyfish (Pantodon buchholzi) use their

pelvic fins for gliding.

 Sea Robins use their pectoral fin for gliding around in the currents.

 Lionfish and other scorpionfish have dorsal fins with hollow venomous spines

which are used for self-defense.