Behavior
S
~4,000 species
Schooling
Quick Definition
A highly coordinated group of fish swimming together in the same direction with synchronised movement, providing anti-predator and foraging benefits.
📖 Full Definition
A school is a group of fish that swim together in an aligned, polarised manner, maintaining relatively fixed positions relative to each other. Schooling is driven by hydrodynamic benefits (drafting), enhanced predator detection and confusion (dilution effect, confusion effect), and coordinated foraging. Unlike a shoal, a school shows strict behavioural cohesion. Fish use the lateral line and vision to maintain position. Schools can comprise millions of individuals (sardine, herring) and produce spectacular coordinated movements.
💡 Examples & Context
The "bait ball" defensive formation of sardines — a tight spinning sphere thousands of fish strong — is classic schooling behaviour under predator attack.
⭐ Best Known Example
Classic example
Atlantic Herring