Fish optimize sensing and respiration during undulatory swimming

Previous work in fishes considers undulation as a means of propulsion without addressing how it may affect other functions such as sensing and respiration. Here we show that undulation can optimize propulsion, flow sensing and respiration concurrently without any apparent tradeoffs when head movements are coupled correctly with the movements of the body. This finding challenges a long-held assumption that head movements are simply an unintended consequence of undulation, existing only because of the recoil of an oscillating tail. We use a combination of theoretical, biological and physical experiments to reveal the hydrodynamic mechanisms underlying this concerted optimization. Based on our results we develop a parsimonious control architecture that can be used by both undulatory animals and machines in dynamic environments. Head movements of swimming fishes are thought to exist only because of recoil of the oscillating tail. Here, Akanyeti et al . show that by controlling the timing of head movements, fish can improve their swimming efficiency while simultaneously optimizing sensing and respiration.