Rapid emergence of landmark-based spatial memory in medaka larvae

Dataset for "Rapid emergence of landmark-based spatial memory in medaka larvae" This dataset contains the data necessary to reproduce Figures 1–3 of Boyer, Centanin and De Marco (2026). The data are provided as a single Microsoft Excel file, organised by figure and experimental condition. Figure 1 data cover space use and approach dynamics in medaka larvae (4–6 days post-hatch) swimming individually in cylindrical chambers in the presence or absence of black spheres of two sizes (2 mm and 3 mm diameter). Quantified variables include distance-to-sphere traces, approach dynamics, and turn-away parameters. Figure 2 data cover colour preference screening across four candidate colours and goal-directed behaviour within a ventral blue target area, including time spent within the target zone for test and control groups. Figure 3 data cover landmark-based spatial learning across three experimental phases, including time spent within the target area, number of entries, and distance-to-landmark values recorded during Phase 3. All experiments were conducted on medaka larvae (Oryzias latipes, Cab strain) at the Center for Organismal Studies (COS), Universität Heidelberg.