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Deepseawaters
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Sea FAQHow do fish swim? How fast?
How do fish swim? How fast?
Primarily
by contracting bands of muscles in sequence on alternate sides
of the body so that the tail is whipped very rapidly from
side to side in a sculling motion. Vertical fins
are used mainly for stabilization. Paired pectoral and pelvic
fins are used primarily for stability when a fish hovers,
but sometimes may be used to aid rapid forward motion.
Tunas
and tuna-like fish, billfish, and certain sharks
are the speed champions, reaching 50 miles per hour in short
bursts. Sustained swimming speeds generally range from about
5 to 10 miles per hour among strong swimmers.
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