Book 6, Question 29
Why Do Some Fish Swim in Schools?
Many eyes spot danger faster. A swirling crowd makes it hard for a hunter to pick one fish. So swimming together keeps each fish safer.
From the book
Page from A Million Whys Book 6
More fun facts
- Swimming in a school lets fish save lots of energy.
- In rough, swirly water, giant danios in a school saved 79 percent more energy than fish swimming alone.
- It works a bit like bike racers riding close together in a group to save energy.
- In a true school, fish line up and move together. In a shoal, they just swim loosely near each other.
- A fish in the middle of a school has other fish to its left and right, above and below, and in front and behind.
Sources: Science News Explores, Smithsonian Magazine, Scientific American
Questions kids ask
What is the difference between a school and a shoal?
In a school, fish move together in step. In a shoal, they just swim loosely near each other.