Data for: Effects of domestication and captive breeding on reaction to moving objects: Implications for avoidance behaviors of obstacles and predators by masu salmon Oncorhynchus masou

Domestication and captive breeding can compromise obstacle- and predator-avoidance of animals in the wild. Whereas previous studies only examined these effects in combination, here we examine them individually by comparing the abilities of wild, F1 (offspring of wild parents), and captive-bred (approx. F15) masu salmon (Oncorhynchus masou) to avoid a falling object under experimental conditions. Rates of avoidance failure were low (wild, 12.5%; F1, 10.7%; captive-bred, 8%) under light conditions but increased under dark conditions (wild, 11.1%; F1, 32.1%; captive-bred, 60.0%). We attribute the elevated avoidance-failure rate among F1 fish to the lack of learning opportunities in hatchery environments, and the further elevation of avoidance-failure rate among captive-bred fish to the degradation of sensory organ function. These results imply reduced survival rates for F1 and captive-bred fish in the wild and are consistent with the low stocking efficiencies reported for captive-bred masu salmon.