Pectoral Fin
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<fishfyi-glossary slug="pectoral-fin"></fishfyi-glossary>Definition
The paired fins located on each side of the body behind the gill openings, used for steering, braking, and maintaining position in the water column.
Detailed Explanation
Pectoral fins are the homologs of vertebrate forelimbs, derived from the pectoral girdle. In labriform swimmers (wrasses, sunfish), they are the primary locomotor organs, generating thrust through rowing or flapping. In flying fish, enormously enlarged pectoral fins function as gliding wings. Mudskippers use stiffened pectoral fins as crutches for terrestrial locomotion. In electric rays, the pectoral fins are massively expanded into a disc housing the electric organs. Pectoral fin ray counts are important characters in fish identification.