Yes, lungfish have fins. They possess fleshy, paired pectoral and pelvic fins, along with a single, unpaired caudal fin.
Lungfish fins are quite distinct from the fins of most other fish. Instead of being ray-finned, their fins are fleshy and lobed. These fleshy fins are supported by a bony internal skeleton and muscles, allowing them to be used for support and movement on the substrate. The pectoral and pelvic fins function essentially as limbs. In fact, some extinct lungfish relatives are hypothesized to have possibly used their fins for walking on land.
Here's a breakdown:
- Pectoral Fins: Paired fins located on the sides of the body, near the head.
- Pelvic Fins: Paired fins located further back on the body, near the tail.
- Caudal Fin: A single, unpaired fin that replaces the dorsal, caudal, and anal fins found in most other fish species. This fin is located at the posterior end of the fish.
These fin adaptations are key to the lungfish's lifestyle, enabling them to navigate shallow, oxygen-depleted waters and even survive out of water for extended periods.
