In: Biology
What are two general methods that fishes employ to reduce drag while swimming?
The area where the body meets the tail is called the caudal
peduncle. The caudal peduncle also moves side to side as a fish
moves its fins. This lateral motion can disrupt the boundary layer,
the layer of water right next to the moving body (fish), which is
crucial to reducing drag .
-when molecules of the fluid collide with Fish , The collision
causes drag against moving fish, which is why many fish are
streamlined in shape. Streamlined shapes work to reduce drag by
orienting elongated objects parallel to the force of drag .
- Some flat-shaped fish can take advantage of pressure drag by
having a flat bottom surface and curved top surface. The pressure
drag created allows for the upward lift of the fish
- Some use lift powered swimming, which can be compared to flying
as appendages flap like wings, and reduce drag on the surface of
the appendage. Others use drag powered swimming, which can be
compared to oars rowing a boat, with movement in a horizontal
plane, or paddling, with movement in the parasagittal plane.