REDUCING FRICTION
If you ’ ve spent much time in the water at all , you know exactly how heavy and hard it is to move through the water . Aside from fins and all the other morphological adaptations that fish have to help them swim , they also make it easier on themselves by producing a slime coat that actually reduces the coefficient of friction in the water , making it easier for them to swim .
Yes , that slime coat that we try to protect during catch-and-release fishing plays a major role in how easily fish move about their environment . A recent study looked at a number of fish species and found that their slime coats reduced hydrodynamic friction of water between 57 and 63 percent .
You may recall from the Summer Olympics a few years back that there were actually special swimming suits designed to emulate this by reducing the coefficient of friction on the swimmers . Alas , the International Olympic Committee banded together to ban them right before the games .
Dorsal Fin
Running along the top of almost all fishes ’ backs , the dorsal fin is used by most species of fish as a stabilizing fin to prevent roll . However , fish also use the dorsal fin to increase their lateral surface for cutting tighter turns . Dorsal fins can also have markings used in coloration displays to improve mating success and many other specializations . Bass actually have a split dorsal fin ; and If you watch bass feed on camera , they typically keep their front dorsal fin tucked in tight along their back to reduce drag while swimming until they strike or need to make a quick turn , at which point it flares .
Anal fin
Similar to the dorsal fin , the anal fin is predominantly a stabilizing rudder , preventing roll by offering a stabilizing force to offset the dorsal fin . Some species have no anal fins , and others have multiple . In bass , this fin is mostly for stabilization and roll prevention , and if you watch a bass swim , this fin moves the least .
Caudal Fin
Commonly called the tail , the caudal fin is the primary propulsion unit for most species of fish . The tail also tells a lot about a fish species ’ habits . Flatter and wider tails are used for low-end torque and maneuverability , while narrow and deeply forked tails create less turbulence and more efficient swimming , which in turn creates speed and endurance . Bass tails are just slightly forked , which is perfect for their generalist lifestyle . Fast enough to get around pretty much anywhere , they need to be able to move fast without sacrificing the ability to maneuver .
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
TJ Maglio is a tournament angler and outdoor writer based in Minnesota . He has a degree in wildlife ecology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and has also worked professionally as a wildlife biologist and environmental consultant .
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