Stochastic Modeling of Fish Schooling Dynamics: Decomposition into Collective and Individual Movements

Abstract: The movement of fish in schools can be effectively modeled using stochastic frameworks, particularly through descriptions based on random walk dynamics. In this study, we analyze fish motion by decomposing it into two components: the movement of the school's center of mass and the relative motion of individual fish with respect to this center. We demonstrate that the center of mass follows an active random walk subjected to hard wall interactions and driven by white noise, while individual fish move independently within an effective field generated by the group. Their trajectories can be described as active random walks within a potential shaped by the spatial distribution of the school, influenced by multiplicative noise. Our findings enhance the understanding of collective animal behavior and offer valuable insights into the stochastic modeling of fish movement.