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Predators have devised various countermeasures to undermine the defensive shoaling and schooling manoeuvres of forage fish. The sailfish raises its sail to make it appear much larger so it can herd a school of fish or squid. Swordfish charge at high speed through forage fish schools, slashing with their swords to kill or stun prey. They then ...
The mackerel scad (Decapterus macarellus), or speedo, is a species of fish of the family, Carangidae. While it can be considered gamefish, it is usually used as bait. [2] It is popular for consumption in Hawaiʻi, the Philippines and the U.A.E. In Hawaiʻi, mackerel scad are called ʻopelu. [3] In the Philippines they are called galunggong. [4]
A bait ball is a last-ditch defensive measure adopted by fish schools when they are overwhelmed and more effective defensive strategies have broken down. Schooling fish are easier to attack once they abandon their free streaming behaviour and form into a tight bait ball.
Fish derive many benefits from shoaling behaviour including defence against predators through better predator detection and by diluting the chance of capture, enhanced foraging success, and higher success in finding a mate. It is also likely that fish benefit from shoal membership through increased hydrodynamic efficiency.
Forage fish, also called prey fish or bait fish, are small pelagic fish that feed on planktons (i.e. planktivores) and other small aquatic organisms (e.g. krill). They are in turn preyed upon by various predators including larger fish, seabirds and marine mammals , this making them keystone species in their aquatic ecosystems .
Shoaling can also refract waves, so the waves change direction. For example, if waves pass over a sloping bank which is shallower at one end than the other, then the shoaling effect will result in the waves slowing more at the shallow end. Thus, the wave fronts will refract, changing direction like light passing through a prism.
Shoaling behavior improves foraging success, because the demand for anti-predatory activities per individual is reduced and because more individuals scanning for food leads to quicker detection. In general, a larger shoal of fish locates food faster, which was confirmed to be true in common minnows.
Goldband fusiliers are a non-migratory fish, found during the day moving in schools. At night they shelter within the reef. [8] The schools forage for zooplankton in midwater. It is an oviparous species which lays large numbers of small, pelagic eggs. [2]