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Fish locomotion
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=== Median/paired fin propulsion === [[File:Lactoria cornuta aka longhorn cowfish in cph aquarium 2007.jpg|thumb|alt=A bright yellow boxfish swims with its pectoral fins only.|[[Ostraciidae|Boxfish]] use median-paired fin swimming, as they are not well streamlined, and use primarily their [[pectoral fin]]s to produce thrust.]]{{See also|Batoid locomotion}} Not all fish fit comfortably in the above groups. [[Ocean sunfish]], for example, have a completely different system, the tetraodontiform mode, and many small fish use their [[pectoral fin]]s for swimming as well as for steering and [[#Dynamic lift|dynamic lift]]. Fish in the order [[Gymnotiformes]] possess electric organs along the length of their bodies and swim by undulating an elongated anal fin while keeping the body still, presumably so as not to disturb the electric field that they generate. Many fish swim using combined behavior of their two [[fish anatomy#Fins|pectoral fins]] or both their [[fish anatomy#Fins|anal]] and [[fish anatomy#Fins|dorsal]] fins. Different types of [[Aquatic locomotion#Median paired fin (MPF) propulsion|Median paired fin propulsion]] can be achieved by preferentially using one fin pair over the other, and include rajiform, diodontiform, amiiform, gymnotiform and balistiform modes.<ref name=Sfakiotakis/> ====Rajiform==== <!--all these headings are redirect targets--> Rajiform locomotion is characteristic of [[Batoidea|rays]] and [[Skates (fish)|skate]]s, when thrust is produced by vertical undulations along large, well developed pectoral fins.<ref name=Sfakiotakis/> ====Diodontiform==== <!--all these headings are redirect targets--> [[File:Pindsvinefisk Diodon holocanthus.jpg|thumb|Porcupine fish (here, ''[[Diodon holocanthus]]'') swim by undulating their pectoral fins.]] Diodontiform locomotion propels the fish propagating undulations along large pectoral fins, as seen in the porcupinefish ([[Diodontidae]]).<ref name=Sfakiotakis/> ====Amiiform==== <!--all these headings are redirect targets--> {{Redirect2|Amiiform|Amiiforms|the order of bowfin fishes|Amiiformes}} Amiiform locomotion consists of undulations of a long dorsal fin while the body axis is held straight and stable, as seen in the [[bowfin]].<ref name=Sfakiotakis/> ====Gymnotiform==== <!--all these headings are redirect targets--> {{Redirect2|Gymnotiform|Gymnotiforms|the order of teleost bony fishes commonly known as the Neotropical or South American knifefish|Gymnotiformes}} [[File:Gymnotus_sp.jpg|thumb|upright=1.6<!--keep image area approx. equal-->|''[[Gymnotus]]'' maintains a straight back while swimming to avoid disturbing [[Electroreception and electrogenesis|its electric sense]].]] Gymnotiform locomotion consists of undulations of a long anal fin, essentially upside down amiiform, seen in the South American knifefish ''[[Gymnotiformes]]''.<ref name=Sfakiotakis/> ====Balistiform==== <!--all these headings are redirect targets--> In balistiform locomotion, both anal and dorsal fins undulate. It is characteristic of the family Balistidae (triggerfishes). It may also be seen in the [[Zeidae]].<ref name=Sfakiotakis/> ====Oscillatory==== Oscillation is viewed as pectoral-fin-based swimming and is best known as mobuliform locomotion. The motion can be described as the production of less than half a wave on the fin, similar to a bird wing flapping. Pelagic stingrays, such as the manta, cownose, eagle and bat rays use oscillatory locomotion.<ref name="Lindsey">{{cite book|author=Lindsey, C.C.|year=1978|pages=1β100|title=Fish Physiology|volume=7|chapter=Locomotion|editor=Hoar W.S. |editor2=Randall, D.J.|publisher=Academic Press. San Francisco}}</ref> =====Tetraodontiform===== In tetraodontiform locomotion, the dorsal and anal fins are flapped as a unit, either in phase or exactly opposing one another, as seen in the [[Tetraodontiformes]] ([[boxfish]]es and [[pufferfish]]es). The [[ocean sunfish]] displays an extreme example of this mode.<ref name=Sfakiotakis/> =====Labriform===== In labriform locomotion, seen in the wrasses ([[Labriformes]]), oscillatory movements of pectoral fins are either drag based or lift based. Propulsion is generated either as a reaction to drag produced by dragging the fins through the water in a rowing motion, or via lift mechanisms.<ref name=Sfakiotakis/><ref>{{cite journal | last1 = Fulton | first1 = CJ | last2 = Johansen | first2 = JL | last3 = Steffensen | first3 = JF | year = 2013 | title = Energetic extremes in aquatic locomotion by coral reef fishes | journal = PLOS ONE | volume = 8 | issue = 1| page = e54033 | doi=10.1371/journal.pone.0054033| pmid = 23326566 | pmc = 3541231 | bibcode = 2013PLoSO...854033F | doi-access = free }}</ref> {{anchor|Shark locomotion}}
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