Initial lionfish behaviors at different densities of local lionfish and prey fish on reefs in Eleuthera, Bahamas during 2012

<p>This was an observational field study on natural patch reefs with varying lionfish densities to determine if lionfish behavior and movements change at different local lionfish and prey fish densities. &nbsp;Each reef was visited at three times of day: dawn, midday, and dusk, and two focal lionfish were observed during each visit at each reef. Behaviors of all lionfish were recorded the moment they were first sighted (\"Initial behaviors\"). &nbsp;One or two focal lionfish were observed for 10 minute intervals and all activity was recorded (\"Focal behaviors\"). &nbsp;The number of lionfish on each reef that arrived at or departed from each reef to/from the surrounding seagrass habtiat was recorded throughout each visit (\"Movement\"). &nbsp;Censuses of the native prey fish populations were conducted at the end of every visit (\"Native fish surveys\").</p>

<p><span style=\"font-size:14px\"><strong>Related Manuscripts: Benkwitt, C.E. (2016)</strong></span></p>