Schooling behavior by two stream fish in Brazilian semiarid

Shoaling can provide a number of advantages for individual fish, enhancing foraging efficiency and reducing predation risk. We investigated the role of multiple characid species shoaling (Compsura heterura and Serrapinnus piaba) in order to recognize social behavior, foraging strategy, and diet composition in one semiarid stream, Northeast of Brazil. The study was done by field observations (ad libitum). The most frequent social behavioral (Arranged Mixed-species school - 38.46%) was represented by mixed-species schools structured with large-sized individuals of C. heterura using the school periphery and small individuals of both species using the center of the school. Shoals with lower individuals inhabiting shallow locals and pools presented higher frequency of this behavior. Although foraging behavior did not vary significantly between the two species, each characin species explored distinct food resources, indicating that diet segregation can act as a strategy to both species foragi..., Behavior survey was performed along dry season in November 2011 at daylight, following the ad libitum (sensu Lehner 1996) and focal animal sampling methods (Altmann 1974) through snorkeling sessions. The type of behavior presented by each group of fish was recorded, following Sabino (1999). Due to the morphological similarities of the two characids species, the diver (LRM) conducted 10 hours of preliminary observation in order to guarantee the correct identification of individuals. After that, the two species were identified underwater based on minor morphological differences (e.g. body height) and swimming performance (Figure 1). Additionally, individuals from both species were collected and identified by specialists. Voucher specimens were deposited in the ichthyological collection of the Fish Systematics and Morphology Laboratory at the Federal University of Paraíba (UFPB 7075, UFPB 7077).
Diving sessions were conducted throughout the study area and the behavior was recorded every ti..., , # **Schooling behavior by two stream fish in Brazilian semiarid**

[https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.gtht76hws](https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.gtht76hws)

## Description of the data and file structure

### Files and variables

#### File: meus\_dados\_2024-11-05.xlsx

**Description:** Schooling behavior in stream fish mixed-species shoal

##### Variables

* Social behavior
* Feeding behavior
* Diet

Behavior was grouped in two different categories: social and feeding. Social behavior was classified into five categories: (i) disarranged mixed-species shoal - aggregation of individuals of both species without arrangement; (ii) arranged mixed-species school - aggregation of individuals of both species with coordinated movements; (iii) presence of predators - aggregation of individuals with coordinated movements moving away from the predators; (iv) predator attack - aggregation of individuals moving rapidly after predator attacks; and (v) reorganization - reorganization of shoal following an att...