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EveryFish

Pelvic fin

The paired fins on the belly, matching the hind legs of land animals, used for balance and steering.

Also: ventral fins

Pelvic fins are the second pair of fins, on the underside of the body. In older lineages such as carps, herrings and salmon they sit far back, near the vent. In perches and their many relatives they have moved forward, under or even ahead of the pectoral fins. They help a fish balance, rise and dive. Some fish have reshaped them: gobies and snailfish join them into a sucker that grips rocks, and in male sharks and rays part of each pelvic fin forms a clasper used in mating.

See also

Pectoral fin Anal fin Fin rays and spines

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