Subcutaneous dye injection for marking and identification of individual adult zebrafish (Danio rerio) in behavioral studies
- Authors
- Cheung, E., Chatterjee, D., and Gerlai, R.
- ID
- ZDB-PUB-131021-13
- Date
- 2014
- Source
- Behavior research methods 46(3): 619-24 (Journal)
- Registered Authors
- Gerlai, Robert T.
- Keywords
- zebrafish, individual identification, individual marking, social interaction, aggression
- MeSH Terms
-
- Animals
- Behavior, Animal*
- Behavioral Research/methods*
- Coloring Agents/administration & dosage*
- Injections, Subcutaneous*
- Interpersonal Relations
- Pigmentation
- Zebrafish
- PubMed
- 24057277 Full text @ Behav. Res. Methods
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.