Innate colour preference in zebrafish (Danio rerio)
Faculty Advisor
Date
2023
Keywords
behavioural neuroscience, conditioned preference, sex difference, plus maze, fish behaviour, behavioural testing
Abstract (summary)
Innate (natural) colour preference in animals is used for a variety of behavioural neuroscience purposes in many animal models. In zebrafish, colour preference is often used in combination with place preference testing and some memory tests. However, baseline colour preference seems to differ in the few studies examining this innate behaviour. This necessitates a protocol for reliable colour preference testing to establish preferences prior to using more complex behavioural paradigms. This procedure involves an aquatic plus maze with a central neutral zone and 4 coloured zones: red, green, yellow, blue. Adult zebrafish spent significantly more time in the blue zone compared to the red and yellow zones. There were no sex differences in colour preference. This procedure is a rapid, affordable, straightforward, and effective method to establish baseline colour preference.
Publication Information
Hagen, E., Zhang, Y., & Hamilton, T. J. (2023). Innate colour preference in zebrafish (Danio rerio). MethodsX, 11, 102342. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mex.2023.102342
Notes
Item Type
Article
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Rights
Attribution (CC BY)
