Dataset: Acanthaster behavioral observation data
Deployment: Fiji_2011

To evaluate how tagging might affect Acanthaster behavior, we conducted experiments comparing righting ability and feeding behavior of tagged and untagged Acanthaster (n = 10 individuals treatment-1) that were caged on the reef flat of Votua’s MPA. Ten individuals were each tagged by inserting five plastic tag fasteners at the base of individual arms near the oral disk, and all individuals were held in individual cages on the reef flat for the 7-day duration of this experiment. Two days were allowed for tag acclimation among the treatment group before experiments were conducted. Righting ability was assessed on days 3 and 7 post-tagging by flipping individuals onto their aboral surface and measuring the time required to right themselves onto their oral surface. This was repeated three times for each individual with a 1-minute rest interval between trials. Individuals were also offered two small fragments of the coral Montipora hispida (~8-10 cm length) on days three and five post-tagging to assess the effects of tagging on feeding behavior.To evaluate how tagging might affect Acanthaster behavior, we conducted experiments comparing righting ability and feeding behavior of tagged and untagged Acanthaster (n = 10 individuals treatment^-1) that were caged on the reef flat of Votua’s MPA. Ten individuals were each tagged by inserting five plastic tag fasteners at the base of individual arms near the oral disk, and all individuals were held in individual cages on the reef flat for the 7-day duration of this experiment. Two days were allowed for tag acclimation among the treatment group before experiments were conducted. Righting ability was assessed on days 3 and 7 post-tagging by flipping individuals onto their aboral surface and measuring the time required to right themselves onto their oral surface. This was repeated three times for each individual with a 1-minute rest interval between trials. Individuals were also offered two small fragments of the coral Montipora hispida (~8-10 cm length) on days three and five post-tagging to assess the effects of tagging on feeding behavior.