Data and code for “Feeding frequency improves survival and growth of Galaxea fascicularis recruits in ex situ nurseries”

This dataset and code accompany a 23-week ex situ nursery experiment testing whether feeding frequency improves survival and growth of Galaxea fascicularis recruits. Recruits on ceramic plugs were assigned to three treatments: Control (no feeding), 1 feed/week, and 2 feeds/week, using a commercial powdered coral diet. Weekly survival and growth (polyps per recruit, PPR) were recorded at the plug level. Files include raw counts, derived tables for figures and statistics, and R scripts to reproduce analyses (Kaplan–Meier survival, Cox model, GLMM for PPR, and plotting). Environmental measurements (temperature, salinity) during feeding sessions are included.Variable highlights: Week (0–23), Treatment (Control, 1 feed/week, 2 feeds/week), Tray, Plug, Recruits (alive), Polyps, PPR (polyps per recruit), OriginalRec (initial recruits), plus ancillary environment fields. A data dictionary and README provide units, factor levels, and reproduction steps. All data were collected at Soneva Conservation & Sustainability Maldives (Soneva CSM) under the Republic of Maldives permit 203-ECA/PRIV/2024/648.