Definition: Body/caudal fin propulsion, retaining eel-like body movements and exploiting interactions between the sidewash from an anterior median fin with the next posterior fin, increasing its effective angle of attack
Definition: Body/caudal fin propulsion, with no appreciable body wave when they employ caudal locomotion. Only the tail fin itself oscillates (often very rapidly) to create thrust. Typical of the Ostraciidae
Definition: Body/caudal fin propulsion, with the vast majority of movement is concentrated in the very rear of the body and tail. Carangiform swimmers generally have rapidly oscillating tails.
Definition: Body/caudal fin propulsion, like anguilliform, with a more marked increase in wave amplitude along the body with the vast majority of the work being done by the rear half of the fish. In general, the fish body is stiffer, making for higher speed but reduced maneuverability. Trout use sub-carangiform locomotion.
Definition: Body/caudal fin propulsion, characteristic of tunas, also found in several lamnid sharks. Virtually all the sideways movement is in the tail and the region connecting the main body to the tail (the peduncle). The tail itself tends to be large and crescent shaped. This form of swimming enables these fish to chase and catch prey more easily due to the increase in speed of swimming, like in barracudas.