Replication Data for: The Impact of Catch-and-Release on Feeding Responses and Aggressive Behavior in Nile tilapia

Catch-and-release (C&R) is a worldwide recreational fishing practice. However, this practice may adversely affect the physiology, feeding and behavior of animals. Here we assessed whether C&R affects the feeding responses and aggressive behavior in Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus). We exposed fish to three treatments: control (no handling), chase/capture (C&C) and C&R (hooking, fighting period and air exposure). Contrary to our expectation, C&R did not significantly affect the feeding responses or aggressive behavior of tilapia. We observed only minor adverse effects such as 2 hours after C&R fish showed less interest in feeding, and in general C&R slightly inhibited the increasing in the aggressive behavior observed in the control treatment over the time course of this study. Our result suggests that Nile tilapia is resistant/resilient to types of physical handling such as C&C or C&R and indicates that C&R procedure may result in minimal adverse effects in some species.