Data from: Olden and Bach. 2025. Social media facilitates the widespread exchange of ornamental aquarium organisms among hobbyists. Management of Biological Invasions.

Data from: Olden and Bach. 2025. Social media facilitates the widespread exchange of ornamental aquarium organisms among hobbyists. Management of Biological Invasions.An online survey was distributed to hobbyists belonging to aquarism groups on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/) based in the U.S. from February to March 2024. The survey contained a series of closed, and predominantly multi-select, questions where hobbyists were asked about their aquarism behaviors, including years of experience, types of organisms owned, activities involving the breeding and/or peer-to-peer transaction (buy, sell, trade, gift) of organisms, and actions associated with unwanted organisms. Additionally, the survey queried hobbyists about their levels of knowledge, personal responsibility, and concern regarding aquatic invasive species, and if they were familiar with a national invasive species campaign in the U.S.: Don’t Let It Loose, sponsored by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to educate people about invasive species and rehome rather than releasing their unwanted pets. The survey was administered using the Google Forms online platform. The human subject protocol for the study was reviewed by the University of Washington’s Institutional Review Board and was qualified for the exempt status (STUDY00019513).<br>Contact Julian Olden ([e-mail]) with questions.