diff --git a/.gitignore b/.gitignore
index f06235c..9c97bbd 100644
--- a/.gitignore
+++ b/.gitignore
@@ -1,2 +1,3 @@
 node_modules
 dist
+.env
diff --git a/public/models/angelfish.glb b/public/models/angelfish.glb
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..48b2092
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diff --git a/public/models/goldfish.glb b/public/models/goldfish.glb
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..1f2bf01
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diff --git a/public/models/guppy.glb b/public/models/guppy.glb
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..c52a387
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diff --git a/public/models/plant0.glb b/public/models/plant0.glb
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..c6d4990
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diff --git a/public/models/plant1.glb b/public/models/plant1.glb
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..c9903de
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diff --git a/public/models/quaternius/License.txt b/public/models/quaternius/License.txt
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..05a0b19
--- /dev/null
+++ b/public/models/quaternius/License.txt
@@ -0,0 +1,10 @@
+------------------------------------------------------
+Animated Fish Pack by Quaternius
+Consider supporting me on Patreon, even $1 helps me a lot!
+
+https://www.patreon.com/quaternius
+-------------------------------------------------------
+License:
+CC0 1.0 Universal (CC0 1.0) 
+Public Domain Dedication
+https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/public/models/quaternius/glb/Dolphin.glb b/public/models/quaternius/glb/Dolphin.glb
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..cf336a6
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diff --git a/public/models/quaternius/glb/Fish1.glb b/public/models/quaternius/glb/Fish1.glb
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..c05c7d9
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diff --git a/public/models/quaternius/glb/Fish2.glb b/public/models/quaternius/glb/Fish2.glb
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..72ed088
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diff --git a/public/models/quaternius/glb/Fish3.glb b/public/models/quaternius/glb/Fish3.glb
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..9a8e4bc
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diff --git a/public/models/quaternius/glb/Manta_ray.glb b/public/models/quaternius/glb/Manta_ray.glb
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..84f16f1
Binary files /dev/null and b/public/models/quaternius/glb/Manta_ray.glb differ
diff --git a/public/models/quaternius/glb/Shark.glb b/public/models/quaternius/glb/Shark.glb
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..5a7dc18
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diff --git a/public/models/quaternius/glb/Whale.glb b/public/models/quaternius/glb/Whale.glb
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..875895d
Binary files /dev/null and b/public/models/quaternius/glb/Whale.glb differ
diff --git a/public/models/rock0.glb b/public/models/rock0.glb
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..cc9655b
Binary files /dev/null and b/public/models/rock0.glb differ
diff --git a/public/models/rock1.glb b/public/models/rock1.glb
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..19c36c1
Binary files /dev/null and b/public/models/rock1.glb differ
diff --git a/public/models/rock2.glb b/public/models/rock2.glb
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..77108d4
Binary files /dev/null and b/public/models/rock2.glb differ
diff --git a/src/main.ts b/src/main.ts
index bedf50b..bda677c 100644
--- a/src/main.ts
+++ b/src/main.ts
@@ -2,7 +2,8 @@ import * as THREE from "three";
 import { createTank } from "./scene/Tank";
 import { createWater } from "./scene/Water";
 import { setupLighting } from "./scene/Lighting";
-import { createFishSchool } from "./scene/Fish";
+import { createGLTFishSchool, type FishSpec } from "./scene/GLTFish";
+import { createDecor, type DecorSpec } from "./scene/Decor";
 import { createParallaxCamera } from "./scene/Camera";
 
 const canvas = document.querySelector<HTMLCanvasElement>("#aquarium");
@@ -32,7 +33,37 @@ camera.lookAt(0, 1.2, 0);
 setupLighting(scene, renderer);
 createTank(scene);
 const water = createWater(scene);
-const fishSchool = createFishSchool(scene, 6);
+
+// Fish — GLB models with swim animations + wandering AI.
+// Maya's tropical fish already face local +X (no orient fix). The Quaternius
+// pack is built with its long axis on +Z (nose at +Z), so it is rotated +90°
+// about Y to bring the nose onto +X.
+const fishSpecs: FishSpec[] = [
+  // Tropical (maya's-aquarium-3d)
+  { url: "models/angelfish.glb", targetLength: 0.55, speed: [0.25, 0.45] },
+  { url: "models/angelfish.glb", targetLength: 0.5, speed: [0.25, 0.45] },
+  { url: "models/goldfish.glb", targetLength: 0.45, speed: [0.35, 0.6] },
+  { url: "models/goldfish.glb", targetLength: 0.4, speed: [0.35, 0.6] },
+  { url: "models/guppy.glb", targetLength: 0.4, speed: [0.4, 0.7] },
+  { url: "models/guppy.glb", targetLength: 0.35, speed: [0.4, 0.7] },
+  // Cute fish (Quaternius, CC0)
+  { url: "models/quaternius/glb/Fish1.glb", targetLength: 0.5, speed: [0.4, 0.7], orient: { y: Math.PI / 2 } },
+  { url: "models/quaternius/glb/Fish1.glb", targetLength: 0.45, speed: [0.4, 0.7], orient: { y: Math.PI / 2 } },
+  { url: "models/quaternius/glb/Fish2.glb", targetLength: 0.6, speed: [0.3, 0.55], orient: { y: Math.PI / 2 } },
+  { url: "models/quaternius/glb/Fish3.glb", targetLength: 0.55, speed: [0.35, 0.6], orient: { y: Math.PI / 2 } },
+];
+const fishSchool = createGLTFishSchool(scene, fishSpecs);
+
+// Decor — static plants and rocks on the gravel floor (y ~ 0.05).
+const decorSpecs: DecorSpec[] = [
+  { url: "models/plant0.glb", x: -1.4, z: -0.9, targetSize: 1.4, rotationY: 0.4 },
+  { url: "models/plant1.glb", x: 1.3, z: -0.8, targetSize: 1.1, rotationY: -0.3 },
+  { url: "models/rock0.glb", x: -0.7, z: 0.7, targetSize: 1.0, rotationY: 0.2 },
+  { url: "models/rock1.glb", x: 0.8, z: 0.8, targetSize: 1.1, rotationY: 1.1 },
+  { url: "models/rock2.glb", x: 0.1, z: -1.1, targetSize: 1.3, rotationY: 0.0 },
+];
+createDecor(scene, decorSpecs);
+
 const parallax = createParallaxCamera(camera);
 
 // Mouse tracking (normalized to -1..1)
diff --git a/src/scene/Decor.ts b/src/scene/Decor.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..2deafb6
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/scene/Decor.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,90 @@
+import * as THREE from "three";
+import { GLTFLoader, type GLTF } from "three/examples/jsm/loaders/GLTFLoader.js";
+
+// Gravel level — decor sits just above the glass floor / gravel.
+const FLOOR_Y = 0.05;
+
+export interface DecorSpec {
+  /** Path to the GLB, relative to the page root (served from /public). */
+  url: string;
+  /** Floor position to place the item's base-center at. */
+  x: number;
+  z: number;
+  /** Long-axis size, in world units, the model is scaled to. */
+  targetSize: number;
+  /** Optional yaw (radians) applied to the placed item. */
+  rotationY?: number;
+}
+
+interface Placed {
+  holder: THREE.Group;
+}
+
+// Loads one static GLB, scales it to targetSize, and drops it on the floor so
+// its bounding-box base-center lands at (x, FLOOR_Y, z).
+function placeDecor(
+  group: THREE.Group,
+  loader: GLTFLoader,
+  spec: DecorSpec
+): void {
+  loader.load(
+    spec.url,
+    (gltf: GLTF) => {
+      const model = gltf.scene ?? gltf.scenes[0];
+      model.updateMatrixWorld(true);
+
+      const box = new THREE.Box3().setFromObject(model);
+      const size = box.getSize(new THREE.Vector3());
+      const center = box.getCenter(new THREE.Vector3());
+      const longest = Math.max(size.x, size.y, size.z);
+      const s = spec.targetSize / longest;
+
+      const holder = new THREE.Group();
+      holder.scale.setScalar(s);
+      const rotY = spec.rotationY ?? 0;
+      holder.rotation.y = rotY;
+      holder.add(model);
+
+      // The model's bbox center (in model space) is `center`; after the
+      // holder's scale + yaw it sits at R_y * (center * s) relative to the
+      // holder origin. Offset the holder so that rotated center maps to the
+      // requested (x, z), and so the scaled base (min.y) rests on FLOOR_Y.
+      const c = new THREE.Vector3(center.x, 0, center.z).applyAxisAngle(
+        new THREE.Vector3(0, 1, 0),
+        rotY
+      );
+      holder.position.set(
+        spec.x - c.x * s,
+        FLOOR_Y - box.min.y * s,
+        spec.z - c.z * s
+      );
+
+      // Decor casts shadows (rocks, plants) and receives them (gravel feel).
+      model.traverse((o) => {
+        const mesh = o as THREE.Mesh;
+        if (mesh.isMesh) {
+          mesh.castShadow = true;
+          mesh.receiveShadow = true;
+        }
+      });
+
+      group.add(holder);
+    },
+    undefined,
+    (err) => console.error(`[Decor] failed to load ${spec.url}:`, err)
+  );
+}
+
+// Loads a set of static decor items (plants, rocks) under one parent group.
+// Items are non-animated; they load asynchronously and appear as they arrive.
+export function createDecor(scene: THREE.Scene, specs: DecorSpec[]): { group: THREE.Group } {
+  const group = new THREE.Group();
+  scene.add(group);
+
+  const loader = new GLTFLoader();
+  for (const spec of specs) {
+    placeDecor(group, loader, spec);
+  }
+
+  return { group };
+}
diff --git a/src/scene/Fish.ts b/src/scene/Fish.ts
deleted file mode 100644
index bd652a2..0000000
--- a/src/scene/Fish.ts
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,204 +0,0 @@
-import * as THREE from "three";
-
-// ---- Configuration ----
-
-// Roaming / clamping bounds, kept inside the tank (tank spans x:-2..2, y:0..2.5, z:-1.5..1.5)
-type Bounds = { x: [number, number]; y: [number, number]; z: [number, number] };
-const BOUNDS: { wander: Bounds; clamp: Bounds } = {
-  wander: { x: [-1.5, 1.5], y: [0.3, 2.0], z: [-1.0, 1.0] },
-  clamp: { x: [-1.8, 1.8], y: [0.2, 2.3], z: [-1.3, 1.3] },
-};
-
-// The fish body is elongated along local +X, so that is its forward axis.
-const FORWARD = new THREE.Vector3(1, 0, 0);
-
-// Color palette: orange / blue / yellow hue ranges (HSL).
-const HUE_RANGES: [number, number][] = [
-  [0.05, 0.12], // orange
-  [0.55, 0.62], // blue
-  [0.12, 0.18], // yellow
-];
-
-// Scratch objects reused by update() to avoid per-frame allocation.
-const _dir = new THREE.Vector3();
-const _targetQuat = new THREE.Quaternion();
-
-// ---- Helpers ----
-
-function rand(min: number, max: number): number {
-  return min + Math.random() * (max - min);
-}
-
-function randIn(range: [number, number]): number {
-  return rand(range[0], range[1]);
-}
-
-function randomWanderTarget(): THREE.Vector3 {
-  return new THREE.Vector3(
-    randIn(BOUNDS.wander.x),
-    randIn(BOUNDS.wander.y),
-    randIn(BOUNDS.wander.z)
-  );
-}
-
-function clampToBounds(v: THREE.Vector3): void {
-  v.x = THREE.MathUtils.clamp(v.x, BOUNDS.clamp.x[0], BOUNDS.clamp.x[1]);
-  v.y = THREE.MathUtils.clamp(v.y, BOUNDS.clamp.y[0], BOUNDS.clamp.y[1]);
-  v.z = THREE.MathUtils.clamp(v.z, BOUNDS.clamp.z[0], BOUNDS.clamp.z[1]);
-}
-
-function randomFishColor(): THREE.Color {
-  const [h0, h1] = HUE_RANGES[Math.floor(Math.random() * HUE_RANGES.length)];
-  return new THREE.Color().setHSL(rand(h0, h1), rand(0.7, 0.9), rand(0.5, 0.65));
-}
-
-// ---- Types ----
-
-interface FishState {
-  group: THREE.Group;
-  tail: THREE.Mesh;
-  body: THREE.Mesh;
-  position: THREE.Vector3;
-  target: THREE.Vector3;
-  speed: number;
-  phase: number;
-  turnSpeed: number;
-  quaternion: THREE.Quaternion;
-}
-
-// ---- Mesh construction ----
-
-// Builds a low-poly procedural fish from primitives, all sharing one material.
-// The body is an elongated sphere (long axis = local +X = forward).
-function createFishMesh(color: THREE.Color): {
-  group: THREE.Group;
-  tail: THREE.Mesh;
-  body: THREE.Mesh;
-} {
-  const material = new THREE.MeshStandardMaterial({
-    color,
-    roughness: 0.4,
-    metalness: 0.1,
-    // DoubleSide so the flat pectoral fins are visible from either side.
-    side: THREE.DoubleSide,
-  });
-
-  const group = new THREE.Group();
-
-  // Body
-  const body = new THREE.Mesh(new THREE.SphereGeometry(1, 16, 12), material);
-  body.scale.set(1.0, 0.4, 0.25);
-  body.castShadow = true;
-
-  // Tail — thin cone at the rear.
-  // NOTE: the spec says "rotated Z by PI", but that orients the cone's axis
-  // along Y, which makes the per-frame rotation.y wag invisible (a line aligned
-  // with its rotation axis doesn't move). Rotating -PI/2 instead points the tip
-  // forward (+X, toward the body) as intended, and lets the y-wag sweep side-to-side.
-  const tail = new THREE.Mesh(new THREE.ConeGeometry(0.3, 0.5, 4), material);
-  tail.rotation.z = -Math.PI / 2;
-  tail.scale.set(0.1, 1, 1);
-  tail.position.set(-1.0, 0, 0);
-  tail.castShadow = true;
-
-  // Dorsal fin — sits on top of the body, points up.
-  const dorsal = new THREE.Mesh(new THREE.ConeGeometry(0.15, 0.2, 4), material);
-  dorsal.scale.set(0.1, 1, 1);
-  dorsal.position.set(0, 0.4, 0);
-  dorsal.castShadow = true;
-
-  // Pectoral fins — small flat paddles on either side, angled out and back.
-  // Nudged just past the body's z-extent (0.25) so they read as fins rather
-  // than being buried inside the opaque body.
-  const pectoralGeo = new THREE.PlaneGeometry(0.2, 0.1);
-
-  const leftFin = new THREE.Mesh(pectoralGeo, material);
-  leftFin.position.set(0, -0.05, 0.26);
-  leftFin.rotation.set(-0.3, 0, 0.3); // face +Z (outward), droop down, sweep back
-  leftFin.castShadow = true;
-
-  const rightFin = new THREE.Mesh(pectoralGeo, material);
-  rightFin.position.set(0, -0.05, -0.26);
-  rightFin.rotation.set(-0.3, Math.PI, -0.3); // face -Z (outward)
-  rightFin.castShadow = true;
-
-  group.add(body, tail, dorsal, leftFin, rightFin);
-
-  return { group, tail, body };
-}
-
-// ---- School ----
-
-export interface FishSchool {
-  update: (dt: number, time: number) => void;
-  group: THREE.Group;
-}
-
-// Creates `count` independently-wandering fish under a single parent group.
-export function createFishSchool(scene: THREE.Scene, count: number = 6): FishSchool {
-  const group = new THREE.Group();
-  const fish: FishState[] = [];
-
-  for (let i = 0; i < count; i++) {
-    const { group: fishGroup, tail, body } = createFishMesh(randomFishColor());
-
-    const position = randomWanderTarget();
-    const target = randomWanderTarget();
-    const speed = rand(0.3, 0.8);
-    const phase = Math.random() * Math.PI * 2;
-    const turnSpeed = rand(2, 4);
-
-    // Start already facing the first target to avoid an initial swing.
-    const startDir = target.clone().sub(position).normalize();
-    const quaternion = new THREE.Quaternion().setFromUnitVectors(FORWARD, startDir);
-
-    fishGroup.position.copy(position);
-    fishGroup.quaternion.copy(quaternion);
-    fishGroup.scale.setScalar(rand(0.3, 0.5));
-
-    group.add(fishGroup);
-
-    fish.push({ group: fishGroup, tail, body, position, target, speed, phase, turnSpeed, quaternion });
-  }
-
-  scene.add(group);
-
-  function update(dt: number, time: number): void {
-    for (const f of fish) {
-      // 1. Direction toward current target.
-      _dir.subVectors(f.target, f.position);
-
-      // 2. Reached the target — pick a new one.
-      if (_dir.length() < 0.3) {
-        f.target.copy(randomWanderTarget());
-        _dir.subVectors(f.target, f.position);
-      }
-      _dir.normalize();
-
-      // 3. Turn toward the target (frame-rate independent slerp).
-      _targetQuat.setFromUnitVectors(FORWARD, _dir);
-      f.quaternion.slerp(_targetQuat, 1 - Math.exp(-f.turnSpeed * dt));
-
-      // 4. Move forward.
-      f.position.addScaledVector(_dir, f.speed * dt);
-
-      // 5. Gentle vertical bob.
-      f.position.y += Math.sin(time * 1.5 + f.phase) * 0.002;
-
-      // 6. Keep inside the tank.
-      clampToBounds(f.position);
-
-      // 7. Apply transform.
-      f.group.position.copy(f.position);
-      f.group.quaternion.copy(f.quaternion);
-
-      // 8. Tail wag.
-      f.tail.rotation.y = Math.sin(time * (2 + f.speed * 3) + f.phase) * 0.4;
-
-      // 9. Subtle body flex (length pulses around 1.0).
-      f.body.scale.x = 1.0 + Math.sin(time * (2 + f.speed * 3) + f.phase) * 0.03;
-    }
-  }
-
-  return { update, group };
-}
diff --git a/src/scene/GLTFish.ts b/src/scene/GLTFish.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..e751e0a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/scene/GLTFish.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,273 @@
+import * as THREE from "three";
+import { GLTFLoader, type GLTF } from "three/examples/jsm/loaders/GLTFLoader.js";
+
+// ---- Tank bounds (slightly inside the 4 x 2.5 x 3 tank) ----
+
+type Range = [number, number];
+interface Bounds {
+  x: Range;
+  y: Range;
+  z: Range;
+}
+
+// Wander targets are drawn from the inner box; positions are hard-clamped to
+// the outer box so fish never poke through the glass.
+const WANDER: Bounds = { x: [-1.5, 1.5], y: [0.3, 2.0], z: [-1.0, 1.0] };
+const CLAMP: Bounds = { x: [-1.8, 1.8], y: [0.2, 2.2], z: [-1.3, 1.3] };
+
+// After the per-model orientation fix, every fish's nose points along local +X,
+// so a single forward axis works for the whole school.
+const FORWARD = new THREE.Vector3(1, 0, 0);
+
+// ---- Per-model configuration ----
+
+export interface FishSpec {
+  /** Path to the GLB, relative to the page root (served from /public). */
+  url: string;
+  /** Long-axis length, in world units, the model is scaled to. */
+  targetLength: number;
+  /**
+   * Static orientation applied to the loaded model so its nose ends up on
+   * local +X and its back on local +Y. Maya's tropical fish already satisfy
+   * this (nose +X); the Quaternius pack is built with its long axis on +Z, so
+   * it needs +90° about Y.
+   */
+  orient?: { x?: number; y?: number; z?: number };
+  /** Wandering speed range in world-units/second. */
+  speed?: Range;
+}
+
+// ---- Helpers ----
+
+function rand(min: number, max: number): number {
+  return min + Math.random() * (max - min);
+}
+
+function randIn([lo, hi]: Range): number {
+  return rand(lo, hi);
+}
+
+function randomWanderTarget(): THREE.Vector3 {
+  return new THREE.Vector3(randIn(WANDER.x), randIn(WANDER.y), randIn(WANDER.z));
+}
+
+function clampToBounds(v: THREE.Vector3): void {
+  v.x = THREE.MathUtils.clamp(v.x, CLAMP.x[0], CLAMP.x[1]);
+  v.y = THREE.MathUtils.clamp(v.y, CLAMP.y[0], CLAMP.y[1]);
+  v.z = THREE.MathUtils.clamp(v.z, CLAMP.z[0], CLAMP.z[1]);
+}
+
+// Prefer a clip whose final name segment is exactly "swim" (e.g. "Swim" or
+// "Armature|Armature|Swim"); otherwise the first clip mentioning "swim";
+// otherwise the first clip. Models without clips return null (no mixer).
+function pickSwimClip(clips: THREE.AnimationClip[]): THREE.AnimationClip | null {
+  if (clips.length === 0) return null;
+  for (const c of clips) {
+    const last = (c.name.split("|").pop() ?? c.name).trim().toLowerCase();
+    if (last === "swim") return c;
+  }
+  for (const c of clips) {
+    if (c.name.toLowerCase().includes("swim")) return c;
+  }
+  return clips[0];
+}
+
+// Bind the model's best swim clip to a playing AnimationMixer. Models without
+// clips return null (the fish still wanders, just without a tail beat).
+function createSwimMixer(gltf: GLTF): THREE.AnimationMixer | null {
+  const model = gltf.scene ?? gltf.scenes[0];
+  const clip = pickSwimClip(gltf.animations);
+  if (!clip) return null;
+  const mixer = new THREE.AnimationMixer(model);
+  const action = mixer.clipAction(clip);
+  action.setLoop(THREE.LoopRepeat, Infinity);
+  action.play();
+  return mixer;
+}
+
+// ---- Single-model loader (public API) ----
+
+// Load a single GLB into the scene wrapped in a group, with its swim clip (if
+// any) already playing. `scale` multiplies the model's size (default 1). This
+// is a plain loader — for wandering fish use createGLTFishSchool.
+export function loadGLBFish(
+  scene: THREE.Scene,
+  url: string,
+  scale = 1
+): Promise<{ mesh: THREE.Group; mixer: THREE.AnimationMixer | null }> {
+  const loader = new GLTFLoader();
+  return new Promise((resolve, reject) => {
+    loader.load(
+      url,
+      (gltf) => {
+        const model = gltf.scene ?? gltf.scenes[0];
+        const group = new THREE.Group();
+        group.add(model);
+        group.scale.setScalar(scale);
+
+        model.traverse((o) => {
+          const mesh = o as THREE.Mesh;
+          if (mesh.isMesh) {
+            mesh.castShadow = true;
+            mesh.receiveShadow = false;
+          }
+        });
+
+        scene.add(group);
+        resolve({ mesh: group, mixer: createSwimMixer(gltf) });
+      },
+      undefined,
+      (err) => reject(err)
+    );
+  });
+}
+
+// ---- Per-fish state ----
+
+interface Fish {
+  /** Outer group moved by the AI (position + quaternion). */
+  group: THREE.Group;
+  position: THREE.Vector3;
+  target: THREE.Vector3;
+  speed: number;
+  phase: number;
+  turnSpeed: number;
+  quaternion: THREE.Quaternion;
+  mixer: THREE.AnimationMixer | null;
+}
+
+// Builds one wandering fish from a loaded GLB: wraps the model in an
+// orientation/scale group, attaches an animation mixer for the swim clip, and
+// seeds the wandering state.
+function buildFish(gltf: GLTF, spec: FishSpec): Fish {
+  const model = gltf.scene ?? gltf.scenes[0];
+
+  // Orientation fix + scale live on a wrapper so the AI only ever touches the
+  // outer group's transform.
+  const orient = new THREE.Group();
+  if (spec.orient) {
+    orient.rotation.set(spec.orient.x ?? 0, spec.orient.y ?? 0, spec.orient.z ?? 0);
+  }
+
+  model.updateMatrixWorld(true);
+  const box = new THREE.Box3().setFromObject(model);
+  const size = box.getSize(new THREE.Vector3());
+  const longest = Math.max(size.x, size.y, size.z);
+  // Small per-instance jitter so a pair of the same species don't look cloned.
+  const scale = (spec.targetLength / longest) * rand(0.92, 1.08);
+  orient.scale.setScalar(scale);
+  orient.add(model);
+
+  const group = new THREE.Group();
+  group.add(orient);
+
+  // Fish cast shadows onto the gravel; they don't need to receive them.
+  model.traverse((o) => {
+    const mesh = o as THREE.Mesh;
+    if (mesh.isMesh) {
+      mesh.castShadow = true;
+      mesh.receiveShadow = false;
+    }
+  });
+
+  // Wandering parameters.
+  const speed = spec.speed ? rand(spec.speed[0], spec.speed[1]) : rand(0.3, 0.8);
+  const phase = Math.random() * Math.PI * 2;
+  const turnSpeed = rand(2, 4);
+
+  // Swim animation (if the model ships one).
+  const mixer = createSwimMixer(gltf);
+  if (mixer) {
+    // Tail beat scales with cruising speed, with a little random variation.
+    mixer.timeScale = Math.min(1.6, 0.6 + speed * 1.2) * rand(0.9, 1.1);
+  }
+
+  // Start already facing the first target to avoid an initial swing.
+  const position = randomWanderTarget();
+  const target = randomWanderTarget();
+  const startDir = target.clone().sub(position).normalize();
+  const quaternion = new THREE.Quaternion().setFromUnitVectors(FORWARD, startDir);
+
+  group.position.copy(position);
+  group.quaternion.copy(quaternion);
+
+  return { group, position, target, speed, phase, turnSpeed, quaternion, mixer };
+}
+
+// ---- School ----
+
+export interface GLTFishSchool {
+  update: (dt: number, time: number) => void;
+  group: THREE.Group;
+}
+
+// Scratch objects reused by updateFish() to avoid per-frame allocation.
+const _dir = new THREE.Vector3();
+const _targetQuat = new THREE.Quaternion();
+
+// One frame of wandering for a single fish: seek the current target, retarget
+// on arrival, smoothly turn (frame-rate independent slerp), move, bob, clamp,
+// and advance the swim animation.
+function updateFish(f: Fish, dt: number, time: number): void {
+  // 1. Direction toward the current target.
+  _dir.subVectors(f.target, f.position);
+
+  // 2. Reached the target — pick a new one.
+  if (_dir.length() < 0.3) {
+    f.target.copy(randomWanderTarget());
+    _dir.subVectors(f.target, f.position);
+  }
+  _dir.normalize();
+
+  // 3. Turn toward the target (frame-rate independent slerp).
+  _targetQuat.setFromUnitVectors(FORWARD, _dir);
+  f.quaternion.slerp(_targetQuat, 1 - Math.exp(-f.turnSpeed * dt));
+
+  // 4. Move forward.
+  f.position.addScaledVector(_dir, f.speed * dt);
+
+  // 5. Gentle vertical bob.
+  f.position.y += Math.sin(time * 1.5 + f.phase) * 0.002;
+
+  // 6. Keep inside the tank.
+  clampToBounds(f.position);
+
+  // 7. Apply transform.
+  f.group.position.copy(f.position);
+  f.group.quaternion.copy(f.quaternion);
+
+  // 8. Advance the swim animation.
+  if (f.mixer) f.mixer.update(dt);
+}
+
+// Loads the given GLB fish specs and creates a single school under one parent
+// group. Models load asynchronously and join the school as they arrive, so the
+// aquarium populates progressively. Returns an updater to call each frame.
+export function createGLTFishSchool(scene: THREE.Scene, specs: FishSpec[]): GLTFishSchool {
+  const group = new THREE.Group();
+  scene.add(group);
+
+  const fish: Fish[] = [];
+  const loader = new GLTFLoader();
+
+  for (const spec of specs) {
+    loader.load(
+      spec.url,
+      (gltf) => {
+        const f = buildFish(gltf, spec);
+        group.add(f.group);
+        fish.push(f);
+      },
+      undefined,
+      (err) => console.error(`[GLTFish] failed to load ${spec.url}:`, err)
+    );
+  }
+
+  function update(dt: number, time: number): void {
+    for (let i = 0; i < fish.length; i++) {
+      updateFish(fish[i], dt, time);
+    }
+  }
+
+  return { update, group };
+}