Fish Schools

A "shoal" is any group of fish engaged in similar behavior, while a "school" is a shoal that swims together in a coordinated manner. Many species of fish engage in schooling behavior for at least some part of their lives. Smaller fish often school for protection, since it is more difficult for a predator to pick out an individual target when faced with a coordinated, swirling mass. Similarly, larger fish may school for increased efficiency in finding or attacking prey. Other possible adaptive advantages of schooling include greater hydrodynamic efficiency for swimming, and greater ease in finding a mate.

Barracuda, New Guinea — Barracuda,
New Guinea

Maomao, New Zealand — Maomao,
New Zealand

Catfish, New Guinea — Catfish,
New Guinea

Swirling Jacks, Cocos — Swirling Jacks,
Cocos

Bannerfish, New Guinea — Bannerfish,
New Guinea

Raccoon butterflyfish, Hawaii — Raccoon butterflyfish,
Hawaii

Fusiliers, Seychelles — Fusiliers,
Seychelles

Bigeye Jacks, Indonesia — Bigeye Jacks,
Indonesia

Butterflyfish, Seychelles — Butterflyfish,
Seychelles

Barracuda, Papua New Guinea — Barracuda,
Papua New Guinea

Soldierfish, Dominica — Soldierfish,
Dominica

Trevallies, Indonesia — Trevallies,
Indonesia