article_snippet.sent: Something big is automatically accepted as a potential threat and swimming in a swirling dense shoal is a defensive move which provides mutual protection simply reducing the chances of an individual being picked off and confusing the potential “enemy". '
article_snippet.sent: Fish are thought to gain many benefits from shoaling behaviour, such as keeping safe from predators as well as boosting Fish chances of feeding and finding a mate.
article_snippet.sent: Software engineer Scott Carr’s thought that shoals may be an effective means for the majority of fish within shoals to escape predators’ jaws, because shoals confuse larger creatures.
article_snippet.sent: Fin movements made by a shoal seem to overlap to mimic waves created by a larger animal, perhaps to dissuade a predator from attacking.
article_snippet.sent: The fact that there are many fish in a shoal means they have many eyes to scan an area for predators and keep out of the way.
article_snippet.sent: It seems like fish are well aware of the threat and are trying to keep a safer distance from the threat.
article_snippet.sent: Whether fish feel fear, or simply act instinctively, fish swim in large shoals that offer individuals more protection from predators than going it alone.
article_snippet.sent: Shifts in the shape of the shoal of fish is thought to be driven by feeding, travelling and avoiding predators.
article_snippet.sent: It’s thought that shoals may be an effective means for the majority of fish within shoals to escape predators’ jaws, because shoals confuse larger creatures.
article_snippet.sent: There is also a theory that fin movements made by a shoal overlap to mimic waves created by a larger animal, perhaps to dissuade a predator from attacking.
article_snippet.sent: It’s possible that if one shark was found among the shoal (pictured) and others around one shark, one shark was found among the shoal (pictured) and others around it could act collectively to corral a shoal for a quick meal.
article_snippet.sent: The fact that there are many fish in a shoal means they have many eyes to scan an area for predators and keep out of the way.
article_snippet.sent: It’s possible that if one shark was found among the shoal and others around one shark, others could act collectively to corral a shoal.
highlights_snippet.sent: Shoals keep fish safe in large numbers because they confuse predators .