There was a significant preference for sand over a bare tank, which was influenced by size/predator (Table 1).
The analysis comparing only the different size classes indicated that size influenced the choice of habitat (deviance- 8.48, df- 2, P- 0.014), with medium prawns showing little preference, while small and large prawns showed a distinct preference for sand (Fig. 1A).
The presence of predators also influenced the selection of habitat (deviance- 10.78, df- 2, P 0.005).
Sand was preferentially selected in predation trials with fish, but was only slightly preferred in trials with crabs or without predators (Fig. 1A).