caudal keel

English
Tail of a Scombrid fish, showing the caudal keel and finlets

Noun

caudal keel (plural caudal keels)

  1. (ichthyology) A lateral ridge found just anterior to each side of the tail fin on the caudal peduncle of some types of fast-swimming fish. The keels improve the stability of the fish's attitude at speed in the water, and strengthen the support of the caudal fin.
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