schooling behavior

Schooling behavior refers to the tendency of fish and some other animals to group together in organized, coordinated movements. This behavior enhances survival by providing safety in numbers, making it harder for predators to target an individual. Schooling allows for better foraging, as fish can more easily locate food when they are in a group. The coordinated movements within a school are often driven by social interactions and sensory cues, such as sight and lateral line systems, which help them maintain distance from one another while moving as a cohesive unit.