Behavioral Dataset from Unilateral Telencephalic Ablation Study in Nile Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus)

This dataset contains the raw behavioral data used in the manuscript “Does telencephalic lateralization modulate anxiety? Effects of unilateral ablation assessed in the light–dark and open field tests in Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus).” The data include measurements from 84 Nile tilapia distributed into four experimental groups: left telencephalic ablation, right telencephalic ablation, sham-operated, and intact controls. Two behavioral assays were performed: (1) the Light–Dark Test (LDT), assessing compartment preference, freezing, thigmotaxis, and erratic swimming across repeated exposures (n = 37); and (2) the Open Field Test (OFT), assessing center–periphery distribution, freezing, thigmotaxis, and erratic swimming (n = 35). The dataset includes trial-by-trial values for all behavioral endpoints, organized by test day, fish ID, and experimental group. These data support the analyses presented in the article and allow replication, secondary analysis, or integration into comparative studies on emotional lateralization in teleost fish. No personal or sensitive information is included.