The Kinematics and Performance of Fish Fast-Start Swimming

Abstract

Fast-starts are brief, sudden accelerations used by fish during predator­prey encounters. The kinematics and performance of fish during fast-start manoeuvres have received a lot of attention since they may determine the outcome of predator­prey interactions in terms of feeding success or survival. We will discuss recent progress on (1) the kinematics of escape responses and feeding strikes, (2) the fast-start performance of species with different body morphologies and from different habitats, and (3) the functional significance of fast-start kinematics and performance within the context of predator­prey interactions.