New research finds larger shoals can process information better, improving survival in complex environments.
This study adds to a growing body of evidence that animal collectives can act as more than the sum of their parts, especially under pressure.
Fish don’t just find safety in numbers—they also make better decisions. A new study published in Science Advances shows that larger schools of fish are more effective at processing information and responding to threats or environmental changes, making them collectively “smarter” than smaller groups.
The study
Researchers combined experiments with computer modelling to test how fish groups of different sizes responded to competing sources of information. In larger shoals, individuals were able to integrate signals more effectively, allowing the group to reach faster and more accurate decisions. Smaller groups, by contrast, were more prone to errors and slower responses.
Why it matters
The findings highlight the importance of collective behaviour in the wild. For prey species, the ability to quickly assess risk and coordinate movement can mean the difference between survival and predation. In larger schools, diverse perspectives help balance individual errors, leading to more robust choices.
Implications
Scientists suggest that the results may apply beyond fish. Similar principles of “wisdom in crowds” are seen in birds, mammals, and even human decision-making. Understanding how group size affects information processing could also help manage fisheries by revealing how fragmentation of fish populations may impair their natural survival strategies.
