Abstract
Neuroscience researchers that wish to address compelling questions in psychopharmacology would benefit from the use of zebrafish, which have a behavioral repertoire that is rich and complex and that reflects many fundamental processes in humans, such as those that evoke anxiety. Zebrafish behavior is easily quantified in diverse test environments, but it is important to consider the conditions used to house the fish, prior to the behavioral testing, when designing experiments. Studies show that fish housed at high densities exhibit elevated cortisol levels as compared with fish housed at lower densities. The literature is less clear about the behavioral consequences of housing and handling. We examined the effects of housing (group versus paired) on several behavioral parameters. We observed that group-housed fish exhibited an anxious phenotype as evidenced by tank diving and meandering. Other more general indicators of movement and spatial navigation were unaffected by housing. This study focused on two specific housing environments, and the results support the need for continued research in this area to further elucidate the contributions of housing and handling on the subtleties of zebrafish behavioral markers.
Highlights
Zebrafish is an excellent model for general neurobiology and for behavioral screening tests in psychiatric drug discovery [1]
We examined the effects of housing on several behavioral parameters
This study focused on two specific housing environments, and the results support the need for continued research in this area to further elucidate the contributions of housing and handling on the subtleties of zebrafish behavioral markers
Summary
Zebrafish is an excellent model for general neurobiology and for behavioral screening tests in psychiatric drug discovery [1]. We think that the conditions used to house the fish, prior to the behavioral testing, may be important when designing experiments. Protocols using zebrafish often involve choosing, removing and sub-dividing fish from a cohort originally kept in a large group tank of twenty or more fish derived from a single clutch. The transfer of fish to smaller group sizes, or to smaller tank sizes, may impact how they perform on behavioral tests [4]; and may be an important consideration when developing an experimental design, involving response to test compounds. We think that further research is necessary in identifying all aspects of housing as they relate to fish behavior
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
