Dorsal fin

A dorsal fin is a fin on the back of most marine and freshwater vertebrates.

Dorsal fin of a shark

The main function of the fin is to stabilize the animal against rolling and to help sudden turns. There are some secondary functions: some fish have dorsal fins which produce venom at the tip, for example, the spiny dogfish.

Functions

Some species have further adapted their dorsal fins to other uses.

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