Amazing Fish Form Giant Ball to Scare Predators | Blue Planet | BBC Earth

Summary

This video script showcases the fascinating dynamics of ocean predators hunting in nutrient-rich waters. It focuses on the incredible feeding behavior of Bonito, yellowfin tuna, and other hunters as they target small plankton-feeding fish like anveta, especially when seasonal changes cause nutrient blooms. Despite the overwhelming scale of the bait ball, the predators, including Bonito and tuna, launch high-speed attacks that fragment the ball. The intensity of this predator-prey interaction highlights the survival strategies of both hunters and prey in the rich, ever-changing marine environment.

Takeaways

• 😀 The ocean around the seamount experiences seasonal changes that make the currents rich in nutrients.
• 😀 During certain times of the year, the ocean becomes a 'soup' of plankton, attracting a variety of sea creatures.
• 😀 Bonito, smaller relatives of tuna, gather in large numbers to hunt for smaller plankton feeders.
• 😀 Jacks, another type of predator, also hunt around the seamount, seeking their prey near the nutrient-rich waters.
• 😀 Schools of anveta, small fish, form balls as a defense strategy when predators approach.
• 😀 Even though it's daylight, the small fish sense the vibrations of approaching predators, triggering their defensive behavior.
• 😀 Despite the large size of the bait ball, predators like Bonito continue their attacks, trying to break it apart.
• 😀 Yellowfin tuna, moving quickly, join the attack, further splintering the bait ball into smaller groups of anveta.
• 😀 The predators' speed and coordination are key to breaking the bait ball, allowing them to capture prey.
• 😀 The intense hunting efforts are accompanied by musical cues, heightening the dramatic atmosphere of the scene.

Q & A

What causes the ocean currents to become rich in nutrients during certain times of the year?

Seasonal changes in the environment lead to an increase in nutrients in the ocean currents, creating a nutrient-rich environment that fuels a plankton bloom.

How do hunters benefit from the seasonal nutrient changes in the ocean?

Hunters, like Bonito and yellowfin tuna, take advantage of the abundance of plankton during nutrient-rich seasons, as the plankton attract smaller fish that serve as prey.

What role do plankton play in this ecosystem during the seasonal bloom?

Plankton serve as the primary food source for smaller fish and act as a crucial link in the food chain, attracting predators such as Bonito and tuna.

How do the small fish, like anveta, protect themselves from predators?

The small fish, sensing the approaching predators, form into a tight school or ball, making it harder for the predators to catch them individually.

What happens when a school of anveta is detected by the predators?

Once detected, the anveta attempt to evade the predators by grouping together in a ball and swimming at high speeds to avoid being caught.

What is the significance of the size of the bait ball?

The sheer scale of the bait ball initially appears to deter the predators, but it eventually becomes a target as the Bonito and other hunters launch their attacks.

How do Bonito attack the bait ball?

Bonito approach the bait ball at high speed and launch a series of rapid attacks, disrupting the ball and scattering the smaller fish, making it easier to capture them.

What impact do the yellowfin tuna have on the bait ball?

Yellowfin tuna, with their speed and power, further break up the bait ball during their attacks, splintering groups of anveta away from the main school.

Why is the speed of the tuna's attack so important?

The speed of the tuna's attack is crucial because it allows them to quickly catch and disorient the bait ball, making it difficult for the prey to escape.

What role does the presence of predators play in the behavior of the fish?

The presence of predators triggers defensive behaviors in the fish, such as forming a tight school or ball, in an attempt to protect themselves from being eaten.