Datasets for tank colour preference and tank aggression displayed by coho salmon kept in closed containment aquaculture systems

100 coho salmon were randomly
assigned to groups of 10 and housed in 10 different recirculating aquaculture
tanks (tank 1-10). The interior sides and base of each of the experimental
tanks were lined with laminated paper varying in pigmentation. Each tank was split into two to provide fish a choice of background
colour. Preference
tests were conducted between (a) black versus white, light grey, dark grey and
patterned tank backgrounds and (b) blue versus white, light grey, dark grey,
and black tank backgrounds. The positions of the fish in each tank were video
recorded from above. The fish in each tank were recorded for a total of 10 min.
Videos were scored at 30-s intervals to determine the number of fish on each
side of the tank. Videos were scored continuously for aggressive acts throughout
each 10-min trial. Datasets
are provided for the black-trial preference tests (number of fish located on
the black sides of the tanks for each comparison colour), blue-trial preference
tests (number of fish located on the blue sides of the tanks for each
comparison colour), and tank aggression (number of aggressive acts occurring on
each side of the tanks).