People visit an aquarium to have a look at the various types of fishes that we generally cannot see in our day to day life. In an aquarium we can see fishes swimming together in groups. The most amazing thing is that even when these schools of fish change their directions of swimming suddenly they never collide with one another.
The question that often arises in our mind is why fishes swim in-group or schools? There are some fishes, which prefer to swim alone while some prefer to remain as schools of fish. There are some interesting facts as to why the fishes prefer to remain in schools.The main reason behind remaining in schools is for protection against enemies. We are all aware that if we remain in-group then we can fight dangers.
It is easy for larger fish to chase and eat a single fish than a school of fish. It becomes difficult to eat a single fish from a group. The fishes that remain as schools of fish are also able to protect themselves from the larger fishes in a better way. No single fish will try to attack a school of fish as the bigger the school of fishes the better.
If the fish swim as schools of fish then they are also able to conserve energy. Finding food is also easier if done in unison. This is because there are more set of eyes and noses to look for food. But the main reason is that more fishes hatch from the eggs if they spawn a school. The bigger fishes will not be able to eat all the eggs as they are more in number. So the chances of more eggs hatching are increased.
Now the question arises that how can the fishes swim without colliding with one another or as schools of fish. There is a strange combination of senses, which allows the fishes to gain such perfection. There is no leader in the school as each fish follows the movement of the other fish. If one fish changes direction suddenly, then the other fishes sense it immediately and change course. The eyes and the ears are positioned in such a manner that they can see what actually is happening next to them immediately and thus act accordingly. Apart from sight they can also sense the smell.
Almost 80% of the fishes live as schools of fish. Generally smaller fishes live in school but there are many big fishes, which do live in school. For example Piranha stays as schools of fish. Though they are the fiercest fish they too live in school. Protection from bigger fishes is not the only factor for remaining in school. Freshaquarium
Schools Of Fish In Aquariums Swimming Pattern For Protection
Monday, August 18, 2008
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