A Study on the Validity of a Physical Model for Fish Behavior

Abstract

In this paper, a physical model is presented for describing the behavior of fish in a water tank. The system equation includes several nonlinear terms representing the main causes for fish motion, which are introduced under the physical consideration. The model parameters are estimated by applying the least squares algorithm. It is observed from a water tank experiment that, in the case of small school, an individual acts as a leader and the others as followers. The parameter values estimated reflect the role of each individual in the school. Three models are proposed as an appropriate functional form of the interactive force. The best form is determined by examining a simulation result for the behavior of fish school encountered by a leader net.