The swimming kinematics and foraging behavior of larval Atlantic herring (Clupea harengus L.) are unaffected by elevated pCO2

•We analyzed the behavior of herring larvae grown under elevated pCO2 conditions.•Data on kinematics of the swim paths and display of feeding postures are reported.•Both swimming and display of feeding postures were unaffected by elevated pCO2.

The kinematics of swimming behavior of Atlantic herring larvae cultured under three pCO2 conditions (control — 370, medium — 1800, and high — 4200 μatm) were extracted at 34 days post-hatch (dph) from swim path recordings obtained using silhouette video photography. The swim paths were analyzed for move duration, speed and length, stop duration, and horizontal and vertical turn angles to determine the effects of elevated pCO2 on fish larval behavior. The swimming kinematics and occurrence of S-postures in Atlantic herring larvae that had survived to 34-dph were unaffected by extremely elevated levels of seawater pCO2, indicating that at least some larvae in the population are resilient to ocean acidification.