Fishes can have one of four main body shapes - fusiform for fast-swimming predators, compressiform for quick bursts of speed in plants, depressiform for bottom-dwellers that flap their fins like birds, and filiform for elongated shapes that slither through mud and sand. Their fins are classified as either paired pectoral and pelvic fins or unpaired dorsal, anal, and caudal fins.

1. FISH MORPHOLOGY

7. Body Shape - Fusiform
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Streamlined, torpedo-shaped
Fast-swimming fish
Predators, live in open water
Move tail side to side
Examples: tuna, swordfish, shark, striped bass
side view
front view

8. Body Shape - Compressiform
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Compressed from side to side
Quick bursts of speed over short distances
Live among plants and move in narrow spaces
Examples: moonfish, angelfish
Move tail side to side
front view

9. Body Shape - Depressiform
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Flattened top to bottom
Live on bottom
Slow
Flap fins up and down and swim like a bird
Examples: flounder, skates, rays
front view

10. Body Shape – Filiform (Attenuated)
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Elongated shapes
Live in soft mud, sand or under rocks
Slow
Slither like a snake
Examples: eels, sand lance
side view

17. Fins classified into paired and unpaired :
Paired : pectoral fins and pelvic fins
Unpaired : dorsal fins,anal,caudal fins