Individually assessed boldness predicts Perca fluviatilis behaviour in shoals, but is not associated with the capture order or angling method

• DOI: 10.1111/jfb.12516
• Publication Date: 2014-10-01T08:29:07Z
• Authors: J. Kekäläinen; T. Podgorniak; T. Puolakka; P. Hyvärinen; A. Vainikka
• Keywords: Boldness; Shoal

Selectivity of recreational angling on fish behaviour was studied by examining whether capture order or lure type (natural v. artificial bait) in ice-fishing could explain behavioural variation among perch Perca fluviatilis individuals. It also tested if individually assessed personality predicts groups, the presence natural predators. showed repeatable both individual and group tests. Capture order, method, condition factor past growth rate did not behaviour. Individually determined boldness as well size, however, were positively associated with first entrance to predator zone (i.e. initial risk taking) explained long-term activity total time spent vicinity predators group. These findings suggest that laboratory-based tests predict P. ecologically relevant conditions, i.e. shoals The present results, indicate above-mentioned two methods may be selective for certain types comparison each other.