Dataset: Initial lionfish behaviors at different densities of local lionfish and prey fish on reefs in Eleuthera, Bahamas during 2012

This was an observational field study on natural patch reefs with varying lionfish densities to determine if lionfish behavior and movements change at different local lionfish and prey fish densities.  Each reef was visited at three times of day: dawn, midday, and dusk, and two focal lionfish were observed during each visit at each reef. Behaviors of all lionfish were recorded the moment they were first sighted ("Initial behaviors").  One or two focal lionfish were observed for 10 minute intervals and all activity was recorded ("Focal behaviors").  The number of lionfish on each reef that arrived at or departed from each reef to/from the surrounding seagrass habtiat was recorded throughout each visit ("Movement").  Censuses of the native prey fish populations were conducted at the end of every visit ("Native fish surveys").

Related Manuscripts: Benkwitt, C.E. (2016)