Zebrafish Plus Maze
Plus-shaped behavioral maze for studying associative learning and memory in zebrafish, featuring five compartments and integrated stimulus tanks for controlled visual cue presentation.
Louise Corscadden, PhD
Director of Science · ConductScience
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Key Specifications
Full details →- Model fit
- Zebrafish
- SKU family
- ME-4858
- Sizing
- 43.2 x 38.0 x 27.9 cm
- Ordering
- Online checkout and quote request available
- Category
- Behavioral Mazes
- Build notes
- transparent acrylic
The Zebrafish Plus Maze is a specialized behavioral testing apparatus designed for studying associative learning and memory in zebrafish (Danio rerio). This transparent acrylic maze features a plus-shaped design with five compartments: one central compartment and four end compartments (35 x 25 cm each), allowing researchers to assess the fish's ability to form associations between visual cues and rewarding stimuli. The apparatus includes integrated stimulus tanks (20 x 10 x 10 cm) with controlled visual access through opaque sides, providing non-satiating reinforcement through conspecific presentation.
This maze system enables investigation of synaptic and molecular mechanisms underlying associative learning in zebrafish models. The removable start box (10 x 10 cm) facilitates controlled trial initiation, while the standardized dimensions ensure reproducible behavioral protocols. The transparent construction allows for comprehensive behavioral observation and video tracking analysis throughout testing sessions.
How It Works
The Zebrafish Plus Maze operates on principles of associative learning, where subjects learn to associate specific visual cues with rewarding stimuli. The maze design creates four distinct choice arms radiating from a central compartment, forcing the fish to make directional decisions based on available visual information. Each end compartment can be paired with different stimulus conditions through the integrated stimulus tanks.
The stimulus tanks provide controlled visual access to conspecific zebrafish, which serves as a natural social reward. The tanks feature three opaque sides (one red, three white) with one transparent side facing the maze compartment, allowing precise control over when and how the stimulus is presented. This design eliminates confounding variables while maintaining ethologically relevant motivation for the test subjects.
Behavioral analysis focuses on choice frequency, latency to decision, and time spent in each compartment. The transparent acrylic construction enables overhead video recording for automated tracking analysis, while the standardized dimensions ensure consistent testing conditions across experimental sessions and research groups.
Features & Benefits
maze_shape
- plus shape (+)
maze_height
- 10 cm
number_of_compartments
- 5 (4 end compartments + 1 central compartment)
end_compartment_dimensions
- 35 x 25 cm
stimulus_tank_dimensions
- 20 cm length x 10 cm width x 10 cm depth
stimulus_tank_sides
- three opaque sides (one red and three white)
start_box_dimensions
- 10 x 10 cm
start_box_type
- removable
Behavioral Construct
- associative learning
- spatial memory
- choice behavior
- visual discrimination
- decision making
- memory consolidation
- memory retrieval
Automation Level
- manual
Material
- transparent acrylic
Species
- Zebrafish
Research Domain
- Behavioral Pharmacology
- Developmental Biology
- Learning and Memory
- Neurodegeneration
- Neuroscience
- Toxicology
Compatible Tracking Software
- ConductVision
Weight
- 21.0 kg
Dimensions
- L: 43.2 mm
- W: 38.0 mm
- H: 27.9 mm
| Feature | This Product | Typical Alternative | Advantage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Number of Choice Arms | Four end compartments plus central area | Most zebrafish mazes offer 2-3 choice arms | Multiple choice options reduce chance-level performance and enable more sophisticated discrimination learning protocols |
| Stimulus Presentation System | Integrated stimulus tanks with controlled visual access | External stimulus presentation requiring separate equipment | Built-in stimulus control eliminates setup complexity and ensures consistent cue positioning across trials |
| Compartment Size | 35 x 25 cm end compartments | Smaller compartments often limit swimming space | Adequate space for natural swimming behavior reduces stress and improves behavioral reliability |
| Start Box Design | Removable 10 x 10 cm start box | Fixed starting positions or manual fish placement | Consistent trial initiation improves experimental standardization and reduces handling stress |
| Construction Material | Transparent acrylic throughout | Mixed materials or opaque sections | Complete visibility enables comprehensive behavioral monitoring and video analysis from multiple angles |
This plus maze provides enhanced choice complexity with four arms versus typical two-arm designs, while integrated stimulus tanks eliminate external equipment requirements. The transparent acrylic construction and standardized dimensions ensure reproducible behavioral protocols across research groups.
Practical Tips
Standardize stimulus tank positioning and lighting conditions across all experimental sessions to maintain consistent visual cue presentation.
Why: Environmental consistency reduces variability in behavioral responses and improves data reproducibility.
Clean acrylic surfaces with non-abrasive cleaners and inspect for scratches that could affect transparency or create visual artifacts.
Why: Clear viewing surfaces are essential for accurate behavioral observation and video analysis.
Use aged, temperature-matched water and allow thermal equilibration before introducing test subjects to minimize stress responses.
Why: Temperature stability prevents thermal shock and ensures normal swimming behavior during testing.
If fish show strong position biases, rotate the entire maze setup between trials or use counterbalanced stimulus-location pairings.
Why: Position preferences can mask true learning effects and lead to misinterpretation of cognitive abilities.
Record both choice behavior and exploration patterns, as some learning effects may manifest as changes in swimming activity rather than direct choices.
Why: Multiple behavioral metrics provide a more complete picture of cognitive processing and learning strategies.
Monitor water quality parameters and fish health indicators throughout extended testing periods to ensure animal welfare.
Why: Stressed or unhealthy fish exhibit altered behavior that can confound learning and memory assessments.
Implement standardized inter-trial intervals and consider individual fish identification to track learning progression over multiple sessions.
Why: Consistent timing and individual tracking enable analysis of learning curves and individual differences in cognitive performance.
Setup Guide
What’s in the Box
- Zebrafish Plus Maze (main unit)
- Removable start box
- Stimulus tanks (4 units)
- Assembly instructions
- Protocol guidelines (typical)
Warranty
ConductScience provides a one-year manufacturer warranty covering defects in materials and workmanship, with technical support available for setup and protocol optimization throughout the warranty period.
Compliance
References
Background reading relevant to this product:
What water depth should be maintained in the maze compartments?
Water depth should be sufficient for normal swimming behavior, typically 5-8 cm, while ensuring consistent levels across all compartments to avoid depth-based preferences that could confound choice behavior.
How long should habituation periods be before testing begins?
Allow 10-15 minutes of habituation in the maze environment without stimulus presentation to reduce stress-related behaviors and establish baseline exploration patterns before introducing experimental conditions.
What type of visual stimuli work best in the stimulus tanks?
Conspecific zebrafish provide strong social motivation, but other stimuli such as colored objects, food items, or predator models can be used depending on the specific learning paradigm being investigated.
How should trials be structured to avoid learning carryover effects?
Implement inter-trial intervals of 2-5 minutes and consider counterbalanced stimulus-location pairings across trials to prevent position biases from developing during extended testing sessions.
What behavioral parameters should be measured for comprehensive analysis?
Key metrics include choice arm selection, latency to first choice, time spent in each compartment, swimming velocity, and number of compartment entries to capture both decision-making and exploration patterns.
How does this maze compare to T-maze designs for zebrafish?
The plus maze offers four choice options versus two in T-mazes, enabling more complex discrimination tasks and reducing the likelihood of chance-level performance in learning assessments.
What cleaning protocols are recommended between subjects?
Rinse all compartments with aged water and allow 5-10 minutes between subjects to clear chemical cues, or use separate water systems for each subject if investigating olfactory influences on behavior.
Can the apparatus accommodate different zebrafish developmental stages?
The maze is designed for adult zebrafish; juvenile fish may require modified protocols with reduced compartment volumes or shorter trial durations to account for developmental differences in swimming capacity and motivation.
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