BURST-AND-COAST SWIMMING IN SCHOOLING FISH (NOTEMIGONUS-CRYSOLEUCAS) WITH IMPLICATIONS FOR ENERGY ECONOMY

1. The burst-and-coast behavior and tail beat frequency were analysed to determine if an energetic saving was realized for fish when swimming in formation. 2. Individual Notemigonus crysoleucas were compared as they swam singly or in a school of five at 0.15 m/sec in a flow tank. 3. No significant difference was found in time intervals of bursting and coasting between leading fish in the school and solitary fish. 4. Trailing fish in the school were significantly different from the other fish with increased coast time and decreased burst time by 19%, which was calculated to provide a maximum energy saving of over 20%; however, higher tail beat frequencies of trailing fish indicate greater relative velocities compared to solitary or leading fish. 5. These results infer that energy savings through the collective use of schooling and burst-and-coast behaviors is sacrificed.