Fish move mainly swimming thanks to the contraction of muscles along the body, which creates a side-to-side undulating motion. Some use fins, others are propelled by the water and undulate gently.
Typically, fish swim in schools for one fundamental reason: to conserve energy. In practice, the fish in front creates a whirlpool, a vortex of air, by moving its tail fin. Those following take advantage of this, being propelled along, thus saving the energy needed to move forward.
Index of topics
The movements
- The push of the finsFish are able to move thanks to muscle contractions and the thrust of their tail fin. Their other fins act as rudders. The seahorse is the only fish that swims vertically, very slowly, and with small fins.
- Sea serpentsIn this case, the movement in the sea is very different, and closely resembles that of these animals on land. Sea snakes and eels, in fact, swim, and therefore advance through the water, moving their bodies in rapid, S-shaped jerks.
- Dolphin styleIt's no coincidence that the dolphin stroke exists in the swimming discipline: it's inspired by the movements of some of the animals that inhabit the sea. Dolphins, seals, whales, and turtles all use the dolphin stroke. What does it mean? They have very broad, oar-like fins, perfect for swimming with great energy and speed.
- The suction movement. The teachers, in this type of movements, are the jellyfishThey suck in water and with this movement involving their mouth and breath, they are able to propel themselves forward.
- Jet engineThe octopus, on the other hand, moves thanks to the water it sucks in and then expels through a tube called a "siphon." In this way and with this exercise, it advances very quickly and manages to elude hunters by dragging its tentacles.
Each fin has its own function
Fish swim predominantly in horizontal lines; when they move in vertical lines, it could be a sign of an environmental problem. While the caudal fin, located on the tail, is the organ of movement, the dorsal fin, along the body, prevents the fish from capsizing and helps maintain its balance while swimming. Breathing occurs, during movement, through the gills, which open and close rhythmically.
The language of fish
It was discovered, primarily thanks to the research of scientist Shahriman Ghazali of the University of Auckland, that fish have their own language. They talk. With grunts, chirps, and clicks. And what do fish talk about? About food, dangers, events in their territory, and even sex. For example, a rather continuous buzzing sound, similar to the sound of a refrigerator, serves as a hypnotic sound for males to lure females into their lair. In light of this research, which is increasingly delving into fish language, we can now consider the old saying "you're as silent as a fish" obsolete.
What do fish say when they come to the surface?
If the fish surface, there could be two problems. Oxygen is low and CO2 levels in the water are rising: this is common in aquariums when goldfish rise to the surface. There has been an excessive increase in nitrite levels, and the fish needs to breathe better. If the fish becomes stuck at the bottom, it means it has bladder problems, an enlarged organ, or an ongoing infection.
Read also:
- How Dolphins Talk
- Why you shouldn't release goldfish
- The porpoise, the world's smallest dolphin, is disappearing at the hands of man.
- Whales: How Drones Save Them
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