An open-source closed-loop Virtual Reality system to investigate social interactions and collective behavior in fish.

ABSTRACT: This study introduces a low-cost, open-source, immersive Virtual Reality (VR) system designed to investigate real-time social interactions and collective behaviors in fish. Understanding collective animal behaviors, such as schooling in fish, presents significant observational challenges due to rapid and complex interactions. To address these difficulties, we developed an innovative closed-loop VR environment allowing precise control and measurement of interactions between real and virtual fish. This setup incorporates high-speed 3D tracking, real-time visual feedback, and automated data processing, creating realistic and interactive scenarios. We present experimental results, obtained with rummy-nose tetras (Hemigrammus rhodostomus), showing that freely moving real fish consistently adjus

SUBMITTER: Sanchez S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12823003 | biostudies-literature | 2026

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature