Subcutaneous dye injection for marking and identification of individual adult zebrafish (Danio rerio) in behavioral studies.
The zebrafish is increasingly utilized in behavioral brain research, as it offers a useful compromise between system complexity and practical simplicity. However, a potential drawback of this species in behavioral research is that individuals are difficult to distinguish. Here we describe a simple marking procedure, subcutaneous injection of color dyes, that may alleviate this problem. The procedure allowed us to successfully mark zebrafish and distinguish them for a period of more than 30 days, which is sufficiently long for most behavioral paradigms developed for this species. In addition, we also provide data suggesting that the injection-based marking does not significantly alter social interaction, as defined by the frequency of agonistic behaviors within shoals.
Department of Psychology, University of Toronto Mississauga, Rm 4023C, 3359 Mississauga Road, Mississauga, Ontario, Canada, L5L 1C6.
Eugene
E
Cheung
Diptendu
D
Chatterjee
Robert
R
Gerlai
D000818:Animals; D001522:Behavior, Animal; D035841:Behavioral Research / Q000379:methods*; D004396:Coloring Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D007279:Injections, Subcutaneous; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D010858:Pigmentation; D015027:Zebrafish
D004396:Coloring Agents