The Kinematics and Performance of Fish Fast-Start Swimming

ABSTRACT Fast-starts are brief, sudden accelerations used by fish during predator–prey encounters. The kinematics and performance of fish during fast-start manoeuvres have received a lot of attention since they may determine the outcome of predator–prey 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 predator–prey interactions.