Efficient propulsion system: bluefin tuna

1 of 1 Bluefin tuna / Matana and J.. / License

Tails of bluefin tuna conserve energy by using thunniform swimming.

Biomimicry Taxonomy

	Move or stay put >
	Move >
	In/on liquids

Biomimetic Application Ideas

Tidal and wave energy systems.

[Collapse all sections] Summary

Some ocean-dwelling fish, including tuna, mackerel, and sharks, have a form of swimming called thunniform. In thunniform swimming, most of the lateral movement occurs in the tail and adjacent area of the body with very little bending of the fish's body. The tail or caudal fin is usually large and crescent shaped to increase the power of each sweeping motion. This form of swimming is ideal for species that cover long distances and swim fast because it conserves energy.

Excerpt

About the inspiring organism

Bluefin
Thunnus maccoyii (Castelnau, 1872)
[Bluefin tuna, SBT, Southern bluefin, Southern bluefin tuna, Southern tunny, Tunny]

IUCN Red List Status: Critically Endangered
Habitat(s): Marine Neritic

Some organism data provided by: FishBase
Organism/taxonomy data provided by:
Species 2000 & ITIS Catalogue of Life: 2008 Annual Checklist

Bioinspired products and application ideas

Application Ideas: Tidal and wave energy systems.

Industrial Sector(s) interested in this strategy: Transportation, energy.

bioSTREAM™ tidal energy - Tidal power system

Content tools

Curator of this page

Are you an expert on this topic? Apply to be a curator >

Comments

Be the first to comment on this strategy.