A group of fish swimming together is usually called a school or a shoal, but these terms aren't interchangeable.

If the fish are all the same species and moving in a coordinated manner, it's a school. If they're simply hanging out together for social reasons or safety, it's a shoal.

About half of all fish species shoal at some point in their lives. About one quarter of fish species shoal for their entire lives, while roughly one half shoal only for part of their lives. A single fish often seeks out a social group to help them find food, avoid larger predators, and reduce swimming costs.

What Is a School of Fish?

A school is a tight, synchronized group of fish swimming at the same speed and in the same direction. This isn't a random gathering. It's a coordinated form, often involving

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