"Anomalocaris canadensis" possessed 14 segments (podomeres) on each frontal appendage, almost each one tipped with two barb-like ventral spines (endites). The ventral spines themselves were both equipped with 2 smaller auxiliary spines, which branches off from the main spine at the center of its length. The tail was large and fan-shaped, composed of three pairs of large, lateral fin-shaped lobes and one terminal lobe-like tailpiece. Along with undulations of the lobes, it was probably used to propel the creature through Cambrian waters. The gills of the animal, in the form of long, thin, hair-like structures known as lanceolate blades, arranged in a row which forming setal blades. The setal blades were attached by their margin to the top side of the animal, two setal blades per body segment. A divide ran down the middle, separating the gills.