For use with the largest of model organisms, Zantiks LT is designed for use with rodents such as mice and rats, birds, adult Zebrafish, and Xenopus. This apparatus is suitable for:
The Zantiks AD unit is an automated system that is ideal for measuring the behavior of small fish and small rodents. It includes two versions, one for aquatic and one for terrestrial animals. Model organisms used with this system include zebrafish, mice, and bees. It is a fully integrated behavioral testing environment that can perform live video tracking and recording of animal behavior. The Zantiks AD unit is suitable for various experimental protocols, including tracking fish and mice in operant tasks with food rewards, tracking fish in experimental environments such as an Open-Field Arena or Y-Maze, and tracking multiple singly housed fish for paradigms such as Conditioned Place Preference or Pavalonian Avoidance Learning.
It consists of a computer, camera, overhead lights, screen for visual stimuli, and a motor for food delivery. Both solid and liquid food can be delivered as well as chemical liquid stimuli. It can easily be modified according to experimental needs; for example, the testing environment can be split up into multiple arenas by adding tank inserts for tracking individual subjects easily. Each Zantiks AD unit comes with a router and Zantiks software controlled via a web browser. Therefore, users can operate it using their computer, laptop, tablet, or phone. Experimenters can use the behavioral data recorded to easily understand individual subjects’ behavior and compare behaviors within treatment groups.
Since the Zantiks AD unit is automated, little experimental intervention is needed. Although the included equipment for each version allows extensive research to be performed, add-on equipment such as a Y-Maze insert for fish or a side screen can also be provided.
Each Zantiks AD unit has an overall external unit size of approximately 220 mm in width, 300 mm in length, and 500 mm in height. A tank for fish or cage for rodents is placed inside the external unit that measures 140 mm in width, 200 mm in length, and 150 mm in height. Each unit is integrated and includes a computer, camera, overhead lights, screen for visual stimuli, and a motor for food delivery. The motor can operate a peristaltic pump to deliver liquid food or solid food. Apart from the food delivery, which serves as a stimulus, the overhead illumination and visual screen also serve as stimuli. The overhead illumination’s brightness, color, and duration can be specified with ms accuracy. It can be used for circadian rhythm entrainment, ambient lighting, and light flashes. The visual screen is placed underneath the tank and supplies visual stimuli specified with colors, shapes, sizes, locations, and bitmaps. Moreover, the visual stimuli’ update times and response times can be controlled up to the 60Hz refresh rate of the display.
The Zantiks AD unit also includes a 12V power cable, Ethernet cable, and router. The first unit is supplied with a router, and subsequent units can be networked to the same router. The unit also comes with the Zantiks software called Zanscript.
A tank with a mesh lid, opaque white sides, and a clear bottom. A mild shocking stimulus with controllable duration and voltage is present in the tank comprising two stainless steel shocking plates with cable and testing LED. The tank can be supplied with both solid and liquid food. Solid food is delivered via a brass feeder mechanism that attaches to the motor. On the other hand, liquid food is delivered via a peristaltic pump that also attaches to the motor. Silicone tubing (2 mm internal diameter and 4 mm external diameter) is recommended for the pump. The external light with an extra connector is also included with the tank.
The following tank inserts can be added to create multiple arenas for fish:
The arena dividers can create up to four compartments for tracking four separate fish using one unit.
The CPP inserts create four separate arenas for tracking four separate fish in each arena using one unit.
A two Y-maze insert can also be provided to create a testing environment for two separate fish using one unit. Additionally, aside screen for the lateral presentation of images on the front and back wall of the unit can also be added. The side screen operates in the same way as the built-in screen under the tank. It is supplied with a black tank with a clear base and a back wall. The back screen can be split into two different zones by a two-choice insert.
A cage measuring 150 mm in height, 200 mm in depth, and 140 mm in width with a lid, clear bottom, and opaque white slides. A pellet feeder is present that attaches to the motor to deliver solid food. Additionally, liquid food can also be delivered via a peristaltic pump unit that also attaches to the motor. Similar to the fish version, silicone tubing (2 mm internal diameter and 4 mm external diameter) is also recommended. External light with an extra connector is also included with the cage.
The cage can also be divided into multiple arenas using the following inserts
The Zantiks AD unit can be used for various studies, including Aversion learning, Reversal learning, 5-choice serial reaction time task (5-CSRTT), Y-Maze, Novel tank diving, and Conditioned place preference.
Each Zantiks AD unit is supplied with a router and controlled via a web browser. Therefore, users can use their computer, laptop, tablet, or phone to control it. The Zantiks AD unit needs to be connected to the same network as the user’s laptop or phone to operate. The unit’s IP address (displayed on the AD’s screen after turning on the unit or available on the delivery note) must be entered in the browser to open the Zantiks Control Console. All the networked units can then be operated from the home page. The web browser can be used to view live video, start and stop chosen services, edit scripts, and download results in .csv format.
The Zantiks unit is set up by following the procedure below:
The Zantiks AD unit can perform tracking and real-time video recording of small fish and rodents. The unit uses the Zanscript software, which can be used to make scripts or use script templates. The scripts deliver real-time processed results that can be downloaded as .csv files from the unit. The following parameters can be collected using the Zantiks AD unit:
The Zantiks AD unit can effectively measure the behavior of small fish and rodents. It generates a live video view and provides real-time video recording, allowing animal behavior to be easily analyzed. It enables high throughput and easy-to-run experiments for protocols such as Conditioned Placed Preference or Pavalonian Avoidance Learning. The unit includes different equipment specific to fish or rodents. It has an integrated camera, experimental chamber, computer, and built-in stimuli. Moreover, inserts to separate the unit into multiple arenas can also be provided, or add-on equipment such as Y-Maze inserts can also be purchased. Each unit is supplied with a router that networks the unit and allows it to be controlled via the web browser of any device. The unit is compact and takes up little bench space. Although the Zancscript software includes several template scripts that can be used with experiments, users will need to learn the Zanscript language to make their own scripts.
Brand | Zantiks |
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