caudal peduncle
Fish tail connection
The caudal peduncle is the narrow rear portion of a fish's body where the tail fin attaches—the "wrist" connecting the main body to the tail.
Ichthyologists measure its depth and length when identifying species or assessing fish health.
A thick peduncle typically indicates a powerful swimmer: The tuna's muscular caudal peduncle drives its speed.
- tailRear animal appendage
- fish tailSideways skid of rear
- undulationRhythmic rise and fall
- peduncleFlower-bearing stalk
- body waveChemical hair-curling process
oscillation · propulsion · thrust · cruising speed · fish · hydrodynamic · swimming · posterior · vertebrae · aspect ratio · drag · pelvic fin · streamline · tuna · fluke · torpedo · stroke · tailfin
- finsdorsal fin, anal fin, pectoral fin, pelvic fin, tail fin