Swimming Performance Of Fish Research Articles

Genetic basis analysis and genome prediction of swimming performance traits in juvenile spotted sea bass (Lateolabrax maculatus)

The swimming performance of fish is crucial for their survival, playing a significant role in enhancing disease resistance and facilitating stress recovery, particularly in aquaculture fish. Understanding the genetic basis of fish swimming performance is essential for its integration as a key trait in selection breeding programs, especially for deeper offshore aquaculture. Spotted sea bass, an economically important aquaculture fish species in China, exhibits euryhaline and eurythermic characteristics and has demonstrated substantial potential for deep-sea aquaculture. Therefore, in our study, the absolute critical swimming speed (a.Ucrit) of juvenile spotted sea bass were assessed, ranging form 24.50 cm s−1 to 65.00 cm s−1, and this range enabled the identification of individuals with superior and inferior swimming abilities within the test population. Based on whole-genome resequencing, genome-wide association studies (GWAS) were conducted for three phenotypes of swimming performance, identifying 25 associated SNPs and 85 candidate genes, indicating that it is a polygenetic trait influenced by multiple biological processes. The heritability estimates for a.Ucrit and relative critical swimming speed (r.Ucrit) were 0.21 ± 0.08 and 0.22 ± 0.08, respectively. Furthermore, the impact of various genomic selection (GS) models and SNP densities on prediction accuracy of swimming performance was evaluated using genomic prediction (GP). The SVM model is recommended for continuous trait prediction of swimming performance, especially when SNP densities ranges between 500 and 50 K, as it provides more accurate, efficient and stable predictions. Our research further enhances the understanding of the genetic basis of fish swimming performance and holds promise for improving productivity in deep-sea aquaculture through genomic selection.

The effects of warm thermal variability on metabolism and swimming performance in wild Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar).

Warmer and more variable temperatures have been implicated in the recent decline of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) in Eastern Canada. To date, we know little on how ecologically relevant thermal fluctuations affect swimming performance in fishes. The goal of this study is to determine the effects of warm versus cool diel thermal variability on swimming efficiency and the speed limit for sustainable aerobically fueled swimming. We acclimated wild S. salar juveniles to a cool and a warm ecologically realistic diel thermal profile (16-21 and 19-24°C), and then tested individuals over a common acute change in temperature (16-24°C). We measured metabolic rate and swimming kinematics at a range of swimming speeds, at five temperatures (16, 18, 20, 22, and 24°C) and calculated swimming efficiency. Our temperature acclimation did not appear to significantly affect energetic and kinematic swimming efficiency, but acute exposure to high temperature did increase overall metabolic rate. It appears that wild S. salar can swim efficiently and sustainably during both acute cool and warm exposures, and after acclimation to diel thermal variation of 16-21 or 19-24°C.

Axial muscle‐fibre orientations in larval zebrafish

AbstractMost teleost fish propel themselves with lateral body waves powered by their axial muscles. These muscles also power suction feeding through rapid expansion of the mouth cavity. They consist of muscle segments (myomeres), separated by connective tissue sheets (myosepts). In adult teleosts, the fast axial muscle fibres follow pseudo‐helical trajectories, which are thought to distribute strain (relative fibre length change) approximately evenly across transverse sections during swimming, thereby optimizing power generation. To achieve strain equalization, a significant angle to the longitudinal axis on the frontal plane (azimuth) is necessary near the medial plane, increasing strain. Additionally, a deviation from longitudinal orientation on the sagittal plane (elevation) is required laterally to decrease strain. Despite several detailed morphological studies, our understanding of muscle‐fibre orientations in the entire axial musculature of fish remains incomplete. Furthermore, most research has been done in post‐larval stages, leaving a knowledge gap regarding the changing axial muscle architecture during larval development. Larval fish exhibit different body size, body shape and swimming kinematics compared to adults. They experience relatively high viscous forces, requiring higher tail‐beat amplitudes to overcome increased drag. Additionally, larval fish swim with higher tail‐beat frequencies. Histological studies have shown that in larval fish, muscle fibres in the anal region transition from an almost longitudinal orientation to a pseudo‐helical pattern by 3 dpf (days post‐fertilization). However, these studies were limited to a few sections of the body and were prone to shrinkage and tissue damage. Here, we introduce a novel methodology for quantifying muscle‐fibre orientations along the entire axial muscles. We selected 4 dpf larval zebrafish for our analyses, a stage where larvae are actively swimming but not yet free‐feeding. High‐resolution confocal 3D scans were obtained from four genetically modified zebrafish expressing green fluorescent protein in fast muscle fibres. Fluorescence variation allowed segmentation of individual muscle fibres, which were then converted to fish‐bound coordinates by correcting for the fish's position and orientation in the scan, and normalized to pool results across individuals. We show that at 4 dpf, muscle‐fibre trajectories exhibit a helical pattern tapering towards the tail. Average fibre angles decrease from anterior to posterior, with azimuth varying over the dorsoventral axis and elevation varying over the mediolateral axis. Notably, only the anteriormost 20% of the body displayed higher azimuth angles near the medial plane. Angles between neighbouring fibres were substantial, particularly at the rim of the epaxial and hypaxial muscles. The revealed muscle‐fibre architecture at this age presumably contributes to the swimming performance of these larvae, but that swimming performance is probably not the only driving factor for the fibre pattern. Our methodology offers a promising avenue for exploring muscle‐fibre orientations across ontogenetic series and provides a foundation for in‐depth functional studies on the role of muscle architecture in facilitating swimming performance of larval fish.

Sea Bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) Tail-Beat Frequency Measurement Using Implanted Bioimpedance Sensing

Estimating tailbeat frequency (TBF) is a crucial component of fish swimming kinematics and performance, particularly because it provides information about energetics and behavioral responses to environmental cues. The most commonly used technique for TBF estimation is based on accelerometers. This paper proposes a novel approach using bioimpedance technology. This is the first time bioimpedance has been measured in a freely moving animal. This was made possible by implanting a flexible electrode in the back muscle of seabasses and having them in a swimming tunnel. The experiment first demonstrates that it is possible to measure bioimpedance in an immersed fish despite the high conductivity of seawater. An agreement analysis was then performed to compare a video-based reference measurement of TBF with the newly proposed approach. Several bioimpedance settings, such as the configuration and the extracted electrical parameters, were considered. Data analysis highlights that a 4-point setup for modulus impedance measurement at frequencies over 10 kHz provides the best agreement (r > 0.98 and CCC > 0.97) with the video-based approach. These results attest to the significant benefits of integrating bioimpedance sensors in biologgers, especially considering the complementary parameters that can be extracted from bioimpedance measurements, such as length, weight, condition index, and fat content.

Decoding burst swimming performance: a scaling perspective on time-to-fatigue.

Fatigue curves quantify fish swimming performance, providing information about the time ([Formula: see text]) fish can swim against a steady flow velocity (Uf) before fatiguing. Such curves represent a key tool for many applications in ecological engineering, especially for fish pass design and management. Despite years of research, though, our current ability to model fatigue curves still lacks theoretical foundations and relies primarily on fitting empirical data, as obtained from time-consuming and costly experiments. In the present article, we address this shortcoming by proposing a theoretical analysis that builds upon concepts of fish hydrodynamics to derive scaling laws linking statistical properties of [Formula: see text] to velocities Uf, pertaining to the so-called burst range. Theoretical arguments, in the present study, suggest that the proposed scaling laws may hold true for all fish species and sizes. A new experimental database obtained from over 800 trials and five small-sized Cypriniformes support theoretical predictions satisfactorily and calls for further experiments on more fish species and sizes to confirm their general validity.

Anchor chains—A simple low‐cost device to assist passage of small‐bodied mass fish

AbstractAttention has been placed on a variety of barriers that hinder fish passage in modern times. The most prevalent fish barriers were culverts which have negatively impacted waterway connectivity and fish habitats. For small‐bodied mass fish, high barrel velocities and turbulence have reduced fish swimming performance because of their weak swimming capabilities. In the present study, physical testing was conducted under controlled flow conditions to assess the extent and magnitude of turbulence characteristics, secondary flow and low‐velocity zones in a 0.5‐m‐wide box culvert barrel. Two cases were investigated; a reference case consisting of a smooth rectangular channel and a low‐cost design solution to improve upstream fish migration consisting of a single galvanized anchor chain fitted within a smooth rectangular channel. The single anchor chain was positioned towards one corner of the channel to induce asymmetric flow, reducing overall energy losses and enhancing the existing low‐velocity zone in the adjacent channel corner. The anchor chain induced a strong turbulent flow motion away from the anchor chain, characterized by higher Reynolds stress and turbulent kinetic energy, along with a distinct channel flow asymmetry. Conversely, the low‐velocity zone, between the anchor chain and the bottom channel corner, was significantly expanded with reduced longitudinal mean velocities and turbulent scales. Whilst the anchor chain link contributed to some complex localized wake flow, the anchor chain also influenced the distributions of normal turbulent stresses (v'z2 – v'y2), which in turn influenced the location of secondary flow cells. This secondary flow redirected low momentum fluid into the low‐velocity zones, setting the conditions for the favorable upstream passage of small‐bodied mass fish species.

A suggestion of using task efficiency to replace swimming efficiency for both robotic fish and living fish

ABSTRACT The exploration and exploitation of ocean resources require appropriate marine equipment. Traditional propelled vehicles like HOVs, ROVs, and AUVs are less efficient compared to the swimming performance of fish. However, calculating the swimming efficiency of fish remains a challenge. Existing definitions and calculation methods have limitations, mainly due to a mechanical view of life that neglects the free-will of fish. To overcome these limitations, a new approach using task efficiency is proposed, which considers the influence of active force which is produced by mind-body interaction of a living fish. This new definition and calculation method offer several advantages over previous approaches and can be applied to increase task efficiency in designing and operating submersibles. In many cases, swimming efficiency is not the primary concern for submersible designers.

Numerical study of a fish swimming in hydrokinetic turbine wake

The environmental effects of hydrokinetic turbines are still under investigation, reflecting the emerging status of this technology. This study investigates the interaction between hydrokinetic rotor wakes and fish swimming, revealing insights into fish biomechanics in complex flows and assessing the environmental implications of marine energy solutions. We conducted numerical simulations with the URANS approach and k−ω−SST turbulence closure model to predict three-dimensional turbulent flow in the OpenFOAM software. The hydrokinetic rotor wake was simulated employing the actuator line method, providing a computationally efficient alternative to full geometry simulations. For accurate replication of the motion of a fish-like tuna (Thunnus atlanticus), dynamic adaptive mesh discretization was employed. The results offer a comparative analysis of fish swimming performance within the wake rotor, particularly when immersed in the tip blade vortex, contrasted with scenarios where fish swim in undisturbed flow conditions. The analysis encompasses three-dimensional wake structures, force generation, efficiency, and equilibrium states (balancing drag and thrust) across varying Swimming numbers (Sw). Key findings include the enhanced attachment of the leading-edge vortex due to the caudal fin’s interaction with the tip blade vortex, resulting in improved auto-propulsive force production; a reduced tail stride frequency observed in fish swimming downstream of the rotor to achieve longitudinal force balance compared to unperturbed flow; and transverse hydrodynamic forces pushing fish radially away from the wake’s influence zone, potentially mitigating the risk of collision with turbine blades.

Does Bistability Improve Swimming Performance in Robotic Fish?

A bistable mechanism has two stable states with energy input required to move from one stable state to another. This energy barrier allows for energy storage and release which can be used to improve systems characteristics. Bistability has been used to increase the frequency range over which a kinetic energy harvester is effective, and it has been proposed that bistability can increase the efficiency of biomimetic swimming robots. However, experiments involving bistable swimming robots have typically used bistability as a means of overcoming limitations inherent to soft actuators, rather than to increase overall performance. This article implements bistability into a swimming robotic and compares performance with and without bistable action. The static thrust generation and power consumption for bistable and nonbistable configurations for five different tail morphologies are compared. Bistability is generally found to increase the system efficiency, particularly at lower frequencies where increases are observed up to 250%. The untethered swimming speed of the robot in open water is also found to increase by approximately 30%. The results show that bistability can offer direct performance benefits for biomimetic swimming, but that the bistable transmission must be well tuned to the dynamics of the rest of the system.

The effect of in-flume habituation time and fish behaviour on estimated swimming performance

Swimming performance is important for fish migration, habitat selection, and predator-prey interaction, as well as for fish passage design. Procedural choices made when experimentally estimating it may influence the results. Systematic experiments were conducted to study the effect of different in-flume habituation times, habituation behaviour, and the use of external encouragement on burst swimming performance of Rutilus aula, a small-sized cyprinid, in a fixed velocity testing protocol. Increasing habituation times from 30 s to 5 or 20 min substantially increased the success proportion of swimming trials and estimated fish swimming performance, with no difference between the latter two habituation times. Fish resting on the downstream grid before the start of testing velocity outperformed those who swam during habituation and transition periods. Fish swimming volitionally in response to flow at testing velocity showed a significantly improved performance compared to fish motivated by external poking. The results of this study highlight that in-flume habituation time is important, and fish behaviour before actual testing may influence the outcomes of swimming performance results.

High water temperature significantly influences swimming performance of New Zealand migratory species.

Anthropogenic structures in freshwater systems pose a significant threat by fragmenting habitats. Effective fish passage solutions must consider how environmental changes introduce variability into swimming performance. As temperature is considered the most important external factor influencing fish physiology, it is especially important to consider its effects on fish swimming performance. Even minor alterations in water properties, such as temperature and velocity, can profoundly affect fish metabolic demands, foraging behaviours, fitness and, consequently, swimming performance and passage success. In this study, we investigated the impact of varying water temperatures on the critical swimming speeds of four migratory New Zealand species. Our findings revealed a significant reduction in critical swimming speeds at higher water temperatures (26°C) compared to lower ones (8 and 15°C) for three out of four species (Galaxias maculatus, Galaxias brevipinnis and Gobiomorphus cotidianus). In contrast, Galaxias fasciatus exhibited no significant temperature-related changes in swimming performance, suggesting species-specific responses to temperature. The cold temperature treatment did not impact swimming performance for any of the studied species. As high water temperatures significantly reduce fish swimming performance, it is important to ensure that fish passage solutions are designed to accommodate a range of temperature changes, including spatial and temporal changes, ranging from diel to decadal fluctuations. Our research underscores the importance of incorporating temperature effects into fish passage models for habitat restoration, connectivity initiatives, and freshwater fish conservation. The influence of temperature on fish swimming performance can alter migration patterns and population dynamics, highlighting the need for adaptive conservation strategies. To ensure the resilience of freshwater ecosystems it is important to account for the impact of temperature on fish swimming performance, particularly in the context of a changing climate.

Effect of Total Dissolved Gas Supersaturation on Swimming Performance of Migratory Fish for Traversing Velocity Barriers

This study investigates the impact of total dissolved gas supersaturation (TDGS) on the swimming capabilities of migratory fish (S. prenanti), a common issue during high dam discharges in flood seasons. We assessed fish exposed to 130% TDGS for 2 hr, focusing on their swimming performance in a controlled environment. In our experiments, control group fish, utilizing prolonged swimming, showed reduced maximum distances as flow velocities increased from 3 to 10 BL/s (body length per second), covering distances between 1,285 and 119 BL. In contrast, TDGS‐exposed fish achieved only 15%–95% of these distances. Under burst swimming conditions, control group fish also demonstrated a decrease in maximum distances with increasing flow velocity, achieving 280–124 BL, while TDGS‐exposed fish reached just 48%–64% of these distances. Notably, the critical flow velocity (Ufcrit) for transitioning from prolonged to burst activity level was lower for the TDGS group (7.2 BL/s) compared with the control (9.8 BL/s). In open flume trials, TDGS‐exposed fish displayed a stronger upstream swimming inclination beyond Ufcrit, indicated by quicker times, higher speeds, and shorter trajectories. This study provides novel insights into the adaptive swimming strategies and flow velocity responses of fish under TDGS stress.

Effects of acute suspended sediment exposure on the swimming and schooling performance of imperilled Redside Dace (Clinostomus elongatus)

Urbanization is a widespread threat to freshwater ecosystems. After rainfall, urban streams often experience unnaturally fast water flows and acute increases in suspended sediment due to the high degree of adjacent impervious land surface. Suspended sediments may negatively affect fishes by impairing respiration, and reduced water clarity may also affect social behaviours such as schooling that are dependent on visual cues. Given these two mechanisms of harm, suspended sediments may therefore exacerbate the difficulty of swimming at high water velocities. We tested this idea using imperilled Redside Dace ( Clinostomus elongatus) to examine the consequences of suspended sediment on swimming performance and schooling behaviour. Using individual fish, we assayed swimming performance (standard critical swim speed test) and tail beat frequency and amplitude under a range of ecologically relevant sediment concentrations. Next, we measured the impact of sediment on the cohesion and polarization of schools. Swimming performance of individual fish was not affected by suspended sediment levels we examined. School polarization was positively correlated with water flow overall and at the fastest flows we tested; schools were more polarized when exposed to sediment. School cohesion decreased with increasing flows and was unaffected by the suspended sediment levels we examined. Our results collectively suggest that swimming performance of Redside Dace may be resilient to ecologically relevant acute suspended sediment exposure.

Complex Modal Characteristic Analysis of a Tensegrity Robotic Fish's Body Waves.

A bionic robotic fish based on compliant structure can excite the natural modes of vibration, thereby mimicking the body waves of real fish to generate thrust and realize undulate propulsion. The fish body wave is a result of the fish body's mechanical characteristics interacting with the surrounding fluid. Thoroughly analyzing the complex modal characteristics in such robotic fish contributes to a better understanding of the locomotion behavior, consequently enhancing the swimming performance. Therefore, the complex orthogonal decomposition (COD) method is used in this article. The traveling index is used to quantitatively describe the difference between the real and imaginary modes of the fish body wave. It is defined as the reciprocal of the condition number between the real and imaginary components. After introducing the BCF (body and/or caudal fin) the fish's body wave curves and the COD method, the structural design and parameter configuration of the tensegrity robotic fish are introduced. The complex modal characteristics of the tensegrity robotic fish and real fish are analyzed. The results show that their traveling indexes are close, with two similar complex mode shapes. Subsequently, the relationship between the traveling index and swimming performance is expressed using indicators reflecting linear correlation (correlation coefficient (Rc) and p value). Based on this correlation, a preliminary optimization strategy for the traveling index is proposed, with the potential to improve the swimming performance of the robotic fish.

Effect of trailing-edge shape on the swimming performance of a fish-like swimmer under self-propulsion

Tuna, dolphin and whale as typical thunniform mode fish have obvious differences in body size and caudal fin shape. As the main propeller, the difference in the shape of caudal fin will have a significant impact on the swimming performance of fish. In this work, numerical simulations are adopted to study the hydrodynamics of self-propelled thunniform swimming. By changing the trailing-edge profile parametrically, three different tails varying from forked tuna-like tail to the square-shaped tail are constructed. The results revealed that the tuna-like tail is most beneficial to fish long distance cruise, while the square-shaped tail is the most unfavorable. It is interesting to note that for tuna-like tail, decreasing the undulating amplitude can improve fish's long-distance cruising ability more than decreasing the pitching amplitude, but the opposite is true for the square-shaped tail. Further study on the vortex dynamics and the surface pressure distribution indicate that the backward expansion of the trailing-edge profile will delay the shedding of the leading-edge vortex and increase the existence time of low-pressure region on the caudal fin. Since the pitching angle is reduced synchronously, the delayed disappearance of the low-pressure region will generate more lateral force. This will lead to more energy loss.

Deep learning to obtain high-throughput morphological phenotypes and its genetic correlation with swimming performance in juvenile large yellow croaker

Breeding for swimming performance in fish may cause changes in morphological traits in offspring, which are not only related to industrial efficiency, but also affect animal welfare. However, the genetic correlation between swimming performance and morphological traits in juvenile large yellow croaker remains unclear, and traditional morphological traits collection is time-consuming and laborious. Deep learning offers new opportunities for high-throughput phenomics, especially for complex morphological traits. In this study, the automatic High-Resolution Network (HRNet) based on a deep learning approach was used for the first time to effectively detect the morphological traits of juvenile large yellow croaker. We assessed the swimming performance (Ucrit) of 1300 juvenile fish, and conducted a genome-wide association study (GWAS) and genetic parameters study on the morphological traits of 383 juvenile fish using a 55 K SNP array. The morphological traits data of 383 fish comes from the predicted results of the HRNet model. The results showed that: (1) All of the 10 morphological traits showed positively correlated with Ucrit, and mostly positive genetic correlated with Ucrit; (2) The heritability of all 10 morphological traits was low to moderate; (3) We identified 4 SNPs significantly associated with morphological traits, and identified candidate genes including sox8, setd6, and ctbp2, and enriched significant pathways including Notch signaling pathway. In conclusion, this study provides an efficient and multi-context adaptive HRNet based on deep learning for high-throughput morphological traits detection of juvenile large yellow croaker, and analyses the genetic basis between morphological traits and swimming performance for this species, which provides a new understanding of the genetic basis of morphological traits of large yellow croaker, and provides a basis for breeding programs.

On the influence of head motion on the swimming kinematics of robotic fish.

Up to now bio-inspired fish-mimicking robots fail when competing with the swimming performance of real fish. While tail motion has been studied extensively, the influence of the head motion is still not fully understood and its active control is challenging. In this experimental study, we show that head yawing strongly impacts on the propulsion force and determines the optimal fin actuation amplitude and tail beat frequency when aiming for a maximal propulsion force. In a parametric experimental study on a tethered 367 mm long fish robot the pivot point location of the head yaw has been varied along with tail beat frequency and actuation amplitude. The experiments took place in a still water tank and the swimming force has been measured with a single axis load cell. The robot is actuated with non-conventional area actuators based on micro fiber composites. 105 parameter sets have been investigated while the highest pivot point distance of roughly 0.36 body length from the nose tip provided the highest propulsion force of 500 mN with the lowest actuation frequency of 2.5 Hz and the highest head motion amplitude of a magnitude of 0.18 body length. Even though the pivot point location on a free swimming robot is a consequence of the complex fluid-structure interactions of fish and fluid, the results provide valuable information for the design of fish mimicking robots and questions the paradigm that head yaw is a simple recoil effect from tail motion and has to be minimized for an effective propulsion.

Development of a Low-Cost Soft Robot Fish With Biomimetic Swimming Performance

Abstract This paper investigates the methodology and techniques for a soft biomimetic robot fish that has a straightforward design, relatively simple fabrication, and low cost. In addition to the investigations of fabrication techniques, we also explore the numerical analysis of the biological fish swimming performance, with its inspiration for robot fish design, which is less studied in the literature. In this research, therefore, various swimming locomotion patterns within the body and/or caudal fin family are analyzed for kinematics and hydrodynamics using analytical methods and computational fluid dynamics (CFD) to inspire the robot fish design for improved swimming performance. By straightforward design and fabrication, the swimming performance of the numerical robot fish is verified by means of simulation using 3D CFD, and the prototype performance is validated using in-water experimental tests. This study showcases a new easy-to-design and easy-to-fabricate robust biomimetic robot fish with comparable swimming performance, which has good potential for purposes like education, research, and entertainment.

Are early and young life stages of fish affected by paroxetine? A case study with Danio rerio

Paroxetine (PAR) is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) antidepressant increasingly detected in surface waters worldwide. Its environmental presence raises concerns about the potential detrimental effects on non-target organisms. Thus, this study aimed to increase knowledge on PAR's potential environmental impacts, assessing the effects of commercial formulation (PAR-c) and active ingredient (PAR-a) on fish. Therefore, the short-term exposure effects of PAR-c and PAR-a were assessed on zebrafish (Danio rerio) embryos/larvae to determine the most toxic formulation [through median lethal (LC50) and effective concentrations (EC50)]. PAR-c and PAR-a induced morphological abnormalities (scoliosis) in a dose-dependent manner from 96 hours post-fertilization onwards, suggesting the involvement of a fully functional biotransformation system. As PAR-c exhibited higher toxicity, it was selected to be tested in the subsequent stage (juvenile stage), which was more sensitive (lower LC50). PAR-c significantly decreased fish swimming activity and disrupted fish stress response. Overall, the results highlight the ability of PAR-c to adversely affect fish swimming performance, an effect that persisted even after exposure ceases (21-day depuration), suggesting that PAR-c may impair individual fitness.

Kinematics and behaviour in fish escape responses: guidelines for conducting, analysing and reporting experiments.

Work carried out since the late 1970s has provided key insights into the comparative biomechanics, kinematics, behaviour and neurobiology of fish escape responses. An escape response is an ecologically important behaviour used by fishes to evade predation and aggression via rapid swimming movements. With environmental change expected to affect the physiology and biomechanics of aquatic ectotherms, there is a growing interest in understanding how environmental stressors affect the swimming performance and behaviour of fishes during escape responses, particularly in the context of predator-prey interactions. As the study of fish swimming continues to expand, there have been repeated calls to standardise experiments and reporting practices to facilitate integrative and comparative studies. Here, we provide a set of practical guidelines for conducting, analysing and reporting experiments on escape responses in fish, including a reporting checklist to assist authors undertaking these experiments. These resources will facilitate executing and reporting escape response experiments in a rigorous and transparent fashion, helping to advance the study of fish swimming in an era of rapid environmental change.