Tilting behaviour of the Atlantic mackerel, Scomber scombrus, at low swimming speeds

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Negatively‐buoyant Atlantic mackerel, Scomber scombrus L., (fork length 30–39 cm) tilt their bodies with the head up while swimming at speeds below 0.8 body length per second (B.L. s−1). This behaviour is quantitatively described by the body attack angle and swimming speed measured from film records. The maximum recorded body attack angle was 27° in a 32 cm‐long fish swimming at 0.45 B.L. s−1 while its nose followed a course close to the horizontal. In general, larger body attack angles were shown at lower swimming speeds and were associated with denser bodies at each speed. We consider that this behaviour pattern allows the fish to maintain a chosen swimming depth while its body creates lift by acting as a hydrofoil. Lift from the fins is insufficient at low swimming speeds.