From pictures I've seen, it looks like they only have 2 front fins that are more developed and leg-like. So do they just kind of slither along, pushing off with those two puny fins? Or is their body muscles helping them move too, similar to how a snake slithers?
Any videos available of a walking fish in action, "walking" on land? I'm really intrigued. Thanks!
2006-12-05 08:06:23 · 8 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Zoology
I have seen videos of the walking catfish, and it does indeed mostly throw its body from side to side to move, using the fins more as anchor points to keep them from just sliding back and forth.
So its 'throw body, plant right fin for traction, throw body other direction, plant left fin for traction, repeat'
It looks awkward and ungainly, but for traveling short distances between ponds, it seems to work.
There are other fish that are able to come out on land as well, such as the infamous snakehead, or the mudskipper. Most of them move in much the same fashion, with most of the locomotory impetus being provide by the body, and the fins mainly acting as props.
UPDATE: Just to mention, the 'Mexican walking fish' in the video above is not actually a fish, but the axolotl, a form of tiger salamander (Ambystoma tigrinum) which retains its gills into the adult stage.
2006-12-05 08:22:52 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Neither!
They move like other fish move, only on land, Their stiff front fins serve as pivot-anchor points so that their wiggling can translate to forward motion. Snakes do not have leg-like pivot-anchors, but rely upon their belly scales provide the friction for froward motion, using a highly coordinated sigmoid (s-shaped) motion. Crocodiles actually walk on jointed muscular limbs.
2006-12-05 08:18:10 · answer #2 · answered by Jerry P 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hi. =)
They do a bit of both, slithering and walking.
They use their tiny legs to walk and push themselves forward but also the muscular helps.
There are many kinds of these fishes though..
I've seen some even doing small hops.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=Pbpgryp9t60 You can see their legs pretty good on this video on youtube.
2006-12-05 08:17:47 · answer #3 · answered by °:·.Your tasty`sunshine´-acid.·° 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you are talking about the fish I think you are talking about (The Mudskipper), then it does a hopping motion. It "jumps" using those front fins a small distance forward. From what I've seen, the thing can move fairly fast, at least as fast as a frog. Though it has to do it with more jumps since the frog can jump farther.
2006-12-05 08:15:00 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The walking catfish sort of "sidewinds" -- throws its body, rather than real walking. It isn't slithering the way most snakes do. It's more like the way that sidewinder snakes do it, but slower.
2006-12-05 08:53:50 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Im not exactly sure, but i think the "Legs " are actually classed as arms, and in which case they must use there "Fish Fingers" to help them walk or hitch a lift to the nearest pond...Hope it helps,
Oh and a good website on this one,
www.birdseye.com
Type fish fingers into the search box..
Once again,, hope it helps
2006-12-05 08:15:22 · answer #6 · answered by pop c 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
ur an fool... they slither... the scales on the bottom of their bellies is termed 'the scute' their abdomen muscle communities administration the scutes and pull them alongside so hence they slither... derp
2016-11-23 18:35:51 · answer #7 · answered by spadafora 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Here's a video of the walking catfish:
http://encarta.msn.com/encnet/refpages/RefMedia.aspx?refid=461549651
They look really funny when they "walk"! :)
And here's a video of mudskippers:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N-T_pu-ImVU&mode=related&search=
2006-12-05 10:16:13 · answer #8 · answered by Katie C 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋