CHAMBER VOLUME REQUIREMENTS FOR REPRODUCTION OF THE ZEBRAFISH DANIO-RERIO

The zebrafish or zebra danio Danio (=Brachydanio) rerio has recently b ecome a major vertebrate model for the study of developmental biology, neurobiology, and molecular genetics. As a result, most research univ ersities have now invested considerable resources in the construction of large zebrafish facilities. A key element in the design of these fa cilities is maximizing the efficiency of available space. Here we repo rt on the effects of aquarium chamber volume on the reproduction of ze brafish, with the objective of identifying the minimal volume required for normal egg production. Six adults (two males and four females) we re tested in chamber volumes of 500, 400, 300, 200, and 100 mL. Result s were compared with those from a control volume of 3.5 L. Eggs were r emoved from the test chambers after spawning and incubated in petri di shes at 28 degrees C. Total egg production, percent of eggs hatching, and larval length at 96 h postfertilization were used to evaluate bree ding success. Compared with the control, egg production was not signif icantly affected by reduced aquaria volumes of 500, 400, and 300 mi,. However, mean egg production from a test volume of 200 mt was only 48% of the control egg production (P < 0.05), and at a test volume of 100 mt, egg production was reduced to 26% of the control value (P < 0.005 ). Percent egg hatch and 96-h larval length were not affected at any t est volume.