Dataset: damselfish response to lionfish
Deployment: LSI_Reef_Surveys_09-12

Field observations were conducted in 2011 at 3 sites in the Bahamas and 3 sites in the Cayman Islands using a model-bottle study design. Twenty damselfish in the Bahamas and 20 damselfish in the Cayman Islands were observed. Various coral-reef fishes were placed in clear plastic 1-gallon bottles and were presented in random order at decreasing distances from damselfish territories: predatory coney grouper (Cephalopholis fulva), non-herbivorous white grunt (Haemulon plumierii), herbivorous ocean surgeonfish (Acanthurus bahianus), invasive lionfish, and an empty bottle control. At each set distance (1m, 0.5m, and 0m from center of territory), the number of times the resident damselfish made physical contact with the bottle (strikes) during a 2-minute observation period was counted. Then, the bottle was placed outside of the damselfish territory and gradually moved closer to the center of the territory until the damselfish made physical contact with the bottle. This latter measure determined how far from their territories damselfish would strike at each fish species. This procedure was repeated until all 4 fish species had been presented to each individual damselfish.