Describe how a finned fish such as Tilapia moves in water.

K.C.S.E Biology Q & A - MODEL 2010PP2QN08

Describe how a finned fish such as Tilapia moves in water.

answers

​Movement of fish in water is by swimming; It involves forward movement and control of the body position in water; Scales overlapping backwards/mucus/streamlined body shape reduces resistance/friction to enhance forward movement; Forward movement (propulsion) is caused by the tail; The tail is (almost half the length of the body of the fish) to enable it create enough force (to enable the fish to push forward);
Propulsion is achieved when the tail pushes sideways against the water; Sideways movements is brought about by muscles arranged in segmented blocks/myotomes on both sides of vertebral column; The muscles contract alternately causing the vertebral column to swing sideways; When muscle blocks on the right relax and those on the left contract; the body bends to the left side; When the muscles of the left relax and those on the right contract; the body bends to the right; The fish uses its fins to control the position of its body in water, During forward movement paired fins/pectoral and pelvic fins lie flat on the body surface to reduce resistance/friction; To change direction the fish uses the paired fins; Paired fins are also used by fish to change its level in water/control/prevent pitching; The fish spreads out the pectoral and pelvic fins at 90 degree to the body; to enable it to brake; Fish can also use the swim bladder to change its level in water; When the bladder fills up with air the fish becomes lighter/more buoyant; making it to rise in water; When the air leaves the bladder the fish becomes heavier; making it to sink deeper in the water; water currents may cause the sideways swaying of the body of the fish! yawing; Dorsal and ventral fins prevent rolling/yawing;