Predator–prey interactions and fish schooling behavior revealed through the lens of a sonar

Abstract

Acquiring information about the schooling dynamics and direct predator‐prey interactions in situ is more than a difficult challenge. Moreover, when attempting to understand mechanisms that structure predator‐prey responses and transfer of information across aggregated individuals in waters with limited visibility, the task can be near impossible. Recent developments in acoustic imaging and processing techniques afford the ability to quantify interactions among predators and schooling prey in low‐visibility waters and provide insight into the structure of schooling fish, their response to predators. Using an imaging sonar, we were able to observe schooling behavior of common estuarine fishes in response to predator activity. We present the development of the collection and analysis techniques for acquiring relevant metrics to better understand fine‐scale predator‐prey dynamics in a shallow‐water high‐turbidity ecosystem.