Anal Fin Vs Ventral Fins

[splendidbetta]

I have analysed the anatomy of bettas very extensively over the year and a half or so that I have loved them. The one thing that really annoys me about the terminology is that the Anal fin is called the anal fin when it is obvious that the Vent is closer to the fin that the Anus is. Which means that the Ventral fins should be called the Anal fins, and the Anal fin should be called the Ventral fin. That's just the way it is in my mind. Of course whenever I talk about ventral fins and anal fin, I do mean it in the universally accepted way What do you all think of this? :lookaround:

[Figure_8]

Ventral fins are called "Ventral" simply because they are on the ventral surface (the bottom or under surface) of the fish as opposed to the dorsal which is the top surface, not because of their proximity to the vent :lookaround:

[Callatya]

yup, and not all fish have all fins in the same place or proximity to the vent, so naming on that alone would make things awkward, as each fish you'd have to know which fin was closer to the vent in order to knowc what to call which fin all too tricky dorsal = top ventral = bottom lateral = side

[splendidbetta]

Cheers Lisa and Abbey It makes sense when I think of it that way. I will still have a tiny part of me saying that it should be the other way around, but hey, it's not hurting anyone Thanks for the help :)

[VickiPS]

You'll also find the term "pelvic fins" used when referring to the paired ventral fins.

[splendidbetta]

You'll also find the term "pelvic fins" used when referring to the paired ventral fins.

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Thank you Vicki for reminding me of that term Muchly appreciated!