ConductVision Zebrafish Package
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The ConductVision license for zebrafish tests.
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Zebrafish Shuttle Box
SKU ME-4857
$4,990.00
IncludesStandard care
Behavioral testing apparatus for assessing cognitive function and associative learning in zebrafish using dual digital monitors and controlled visual stimuli presentation.
Scientist guidance
Louise Corscadden, PhD
Director of Science · ConductScience
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Key Specifications
Full details →- Model fit
- Zebrafish
- SKU family
- ME-4857
- Sizing
- Zebrafish Shuttle Box: 38 L experimental tank (50 × 25 × 30cm, width × depth × height); 2.5 cm thin, grey, corrugated, plastic frame mounted to midline, side, and bottom of glass to minimize contact with video side of glass
- Ordering
- Online checkout and quote request available
- Category
- Behavioral Mazes
- Build notes
- corrugated plastic, glass
The Zebrafish Shuttle Box is a specialized behavioral testing apparatus designed to assess cognitive function, associative learning, and social behaviors in zebrafish (Danio rerio). The system features a 38-liter experimental tank equipped with dual digital monitors positioned at opposing ends, enabling controlled presentation of visual stimuli to evaluate temporal learning and social response patterns.
The apparatus leverages zebrafish natural shoaling behaviors by presenting animated conspecific groups on digital screens, providing researchers with precise spatial and temporal control over stimulus parameters without requiring live fish as visual cues. The corrugated plastic frame minimizes interference with video tracking while maintaining optimal viewing conditions for both subjects and recording equipment.
How It Works
The Zebrafish Shuttle Box operates on principles of visual stimulus discrimination and spatial preference testing. Digital monitors display animated sequences of conspecific groups, exploiting zebrafish natural tendency to approach and remain near shoaling stimuli. The apparatus measures subject movement patterns and spatial preferences in response to temporally controlled visual cues.
Testing protocols typically involve alternating presentation of stimuli on opposing screens with defined inter-stimulus intervals. The corrugated plastic frame structure minimizes visual interference while maintaining clear stimulus presentation. Behavioral responses are quantified through analysis of time spent in proximity to each screen and movement patterns during stimulus presentation versus baseline periods.
Features & Benefits
38-liter experimental tank with 50 × 25 × 30 cm dimensions
Provides adequate swimming space for natural zebrafish movement patterns while maintaining controlled experimental conditions.
Dual digital monitor configuration
Enables simultaneous or alternating visual stimulus presentation for spatial choice and discrimination testing paradigms.
2.5 cm corrugated plastic frame system
Minimizes visual interference with video tracking while providing structural support and stimulus isolation.
Grey frame coloration
Reduces visual contrast artifacts and maintains neutral background conditions for accurate behavioral tracking.
Symmetrical monitor positioning
Eliminates spatial bias in stimulus presentation and ensures equal access to visual cues from all tank positions.
Glass tank construction
Provides optical clarity for high-resolution video tracking and behavioral analysis while maintaining chemical inertness.
Integrated frame mounting system
Maintains consistent geometry across experimental sessions and reduces setup variability between tests.
Sizes by model
| Measurement | Zebrafish Shuttle Box |
|---|---|
| Size | 38 L experimental tank (50 × 25 × 30cm, width × depth × height); 2.5 cm thin, grey, corrugated, plastic frame mounted to midline, side, and bottom of glass to minimize contact with video side of glass |
- 38 L experimental tank (50 × 25 × 30cm, width × depth × height)
- 2.5 cm thin, grey, corrugated, plastic frame mounted to midline, side, and bottom of glass to minimize contact with video side of glass
- Price includes two monitors
Frame Width
- 2.5 cm
Number of Screens
- 2
Screen Positioning
- symmetrically situated on opposing sides
Stimulus Presentation Interval
- 20 seconds
Inter Stimulus Interval
- 90 seconds
Minimum Cycles
- 30 times
Initial Black Screen Duration
- 10 minutes
Stimulus Display Duration
- 10 minutes
Final Black Screen Duration
- 2 minutes
Behavioral Construct
- Associative Learning
- Spatial Preference
- Social Behavior
- Temporal Learning
- Visual Discrimination
- Memory Formation
Automation Level
- semi-automated
Material
- corrugated plastic
- glass
Capacity
- 38 liters
Species
- Zebrafish
Display Type
- Digital
Dimensions
- 50 cm x 25 cm x 30 cm
Research Domain
- Anxiety and Depression
- Behavioral Pharmacology
- Developmental Biology
- Learning and Memory
- Neuroscience
- Social Behavior
Shipping weight
- 21.0 lb
Shipping box
- L: 43.2 cm
- W: 38.0 cm
- H: 27.9 cm
| Feature | This Product | Typical Alternative | Advantage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tank Volume | 38-liter capacity with 50 × 25 × 30 cm dimensions | Smaller systems often use 10-20 liter tanks with limited swimming space | Larger volume allows for more natural swimming behaviors and reduces stress-related confounding factors. |
| Stimulus Presentation | Dual digital monitors with programmable protocols | Single monitor systems or manual stimulus presentation methods | Bilateral stimulus presentation enables spatial choice testing and eliminates presentation bias. |
| Frame Design | 2.5 cm corrugated plastic frame minimizing video interference | Basic partition systems without video optimization | Specialized frame design maintains stimulus isolation while preserving tracking accuracy. |
| Monitor Integration | Two monitors included with symmetrical positioning | Monitors sold separately requiring custom mounting solutions | Complete system integration reduces setup complexity and ensures optimal stimulus geometry. |
The system combines a spacious 38-liter testing environment with integrated dual digital monitors and video-optimized frame design. The apparatus provides standardized stimulus presentation protocols with configurable timing parameters for comprehensive zebrafish cognitive assessment.
Neuroscience
Investigating associative learning mechanisms and memory formation in zebrafish models of neurological disorders.
Behavioral Pharmacology
Evaluating cognitive effects of pharmaceutical compounds on learning and memory performance in zebrafish.
Learning and Memory
Assessing temporal learning capabilities and memory consolidation processes using visual cue discrimination paradigms.
Social Behavior
Studying shoaling behaviors and social preferences through controlled presentation of conspecific visual stimuli.
Developmental Biology
Examining age-related changes in cognitive performance and social behavior development across zebrafish life stages.
Anxiety and Depression
Evaluating behavioral responses to social cues as indicators of anxiety-like behaviors in zebrafish depression models.
Practical Tips
Calibration
Verify monitor brightness and contrast settings before each experimental session to ensure consistent visual stimulus intensity.
Why: Display variations can affect zebrafish stimulus response and introduce confounding variables across testing sessions.
Maintenance
Clean the corrugated plastic frame weekly with mild detergent to prevent algae buildup that could affect visual stimulus presentation.
Why: Frame contamination can alter light transmission properties and create visual artifacts during behavioral tracking.
Best Practices
Allow zebrafish to acclimate in the tank for at least 10 minutes before stimulus presentation begins.
Why: Acclimation period reduces stress-related behaviors that could confound cognitive assessment results.
Troubleshooting
If fish show no response to visual stimuli, verify monitor positioning is symmetrical and check for reflections on tank surfaces.
Why: Asymmetrical placement or surface reflections can create competing visual cues that interfere with stimulus discrimination.
Data Quality
Record baseline movement patterns before stimulus presentation to establish individual subject activity levels.
Why: Baseline activity measurements help distinguish stimulus-specific responses from general locomotor activity variations.
Safety
Ensure all electrical components are positioned away from water sources and use appropriate grounding for monitor power supplies.
Why: Water contact with electrical equipment poses safety risks and can damage expensive digital display components.
Best Practices
Use consistent ambient lighting conditions throughout testing sessions to maintain constant visual contrast ratios.
Why: Variable lighting can affect zebrafish visual perception and alter stimulus discrimination performance.
Setup Guide
Unpack and Inspect Components
Remove the experimental tank, corrugated plastic frame, and both digital monitors from packaging. Verify all components are undamaged and mounting hardware is included.
Install Frame Assembly
Mount the 2.5 cm corrugated plastic frame to the midline, sides, and bottom of the glass tank ensuring minimal contact with video recording surfaces.
Position Digital Monitors
Install the two digital monitors symmetrically on opposing sides of the tank at equal distances from the center partition.
Fill Tank and Stabilize
Add water to appropriate depth for zebrafish testing and allow temperature to stabilize to experimental conditions.
Configure Stimulus Protocols
Program stimulus presentation intervals and visual cue sequences according to experimental requirements using connected control system.
Calibrate Video Tracking
Set up video recording equipment and calibrate tracking zones relative to monitor positions and tank geometry.
Conduct System Validation
Run test protocols without subjects to verify proper stimulus timing and data acquisition functionality.
What’s in the Box
- 38-liter glass experimental tank (50 × 25 × 30 cm)
- Two digital monitors with mounting hardware
- Corrugated plastic frame assembly
- Installation instructions and protocol guide (typical)
- Stimulus presentation software (typical)
Warranty
ConductScience provides a standard one-year manufacturer warranty covering defects in materials and workmanship, with technical support for setup and protocol development.
Compliance
ARRIVE Guidelines 2.0Supports standardized behavioral testing protocols required for transparent reporting of zebrafish behavioral studies.
IACUC Animal Welfare StandardsApparatus design facilitates humane behavioral testing procedures consistent with institutional animal care protocols.
References
Background reading relevant to this product:
1.Shalini Pather et al. (2008) “Shuttle box learning in zebrafish (Danio rerio)” Behavioural Brain Research doi:10.1016/j.bbr.2008.09.013
Protocol and background
Introduction
The Zebrafish Shuttle Box task is used to evaluate the cognitive abilities of zebrafish. The task uses a tank set-up with two digital screens on either end to analyze associative learning, temporal learning and social behaviors of the subjects when presented with visual cues.
Zebrafish animal models have gained popularity over the years due to their genetic similarity with humans and ease of maintenance. Further, Zebrafish are highly social and prefer shoaling. The Zebrafish Shuttle Box is based on this social nature of the fish. An individual subject is most likely to approach an animated visual presentation of a conspecific group and spend time around it. The use of conspecifics as visual stimuli has been shown to have reinforcing properties, making it suitable for use in associative learning tasks (Al-Imari, & Gerlai, 2008). The presentation of visual stimuli on digital screens allows experimenters flexibility of spatial and temporal control over stimuli parameters. This also eliminates the use of live conspecifics as visual stimuli.
Other Zebrafish based apparatuses include the Zebrafish Y-maze, the Zebrafish Three Chamber Choice, and the Zebrafish Place Preference Test.
Apparatus & Equipment
The Shuttle Box is a glass tank with a capacity of 38 liters. The width, depth, and height of the Shuttle Box are 50 cm, 25 cm, and 30 cm, respectively. A thin corrugated plastic frame, 2.5 cm wide, is mounted on to the sides and the bottom glass on the inside of the experimental tank in the center of the tank. Monitors are placed on the outside surface of the tank on two opposite sides.
Training Protocol
Keep zebrafish in tanks with constant temperature and pH value. Maintain consistent environmental conditions during housing and testing to avoid unnecessary harm and stress to the subject. Aerate the water to ensure that the quality of the water is always maintained at an acceptable level. Clean the tank before conducting the test. Tracking and recording of behaviors of the fish can be done with the help of a tracking system such as Noldus Ethovision XT. No habituation or pretraining is required for the Zebrafish Shuttle Box task.
Animated stimulus presentation task
Transfer the subject from its holding tank into the Shuttle Box. For the initial 10 minutes, display a black screen on both tank screens. Follow this by displaying the animated stimulus on one side of the tank (chosen at random) for the next 10 minutes. Finally, display a black screen for 2 minutes. Change the side at which the stimulus is displayed randomly for each experimental subject.
Learning associative tasks
Transfer the subject from its holding tank into the Shuttle Box. Display the animated stimulus on one of the screens for 20 seconds (Stimulus presentation interval). Follow this by a 90-seconds inter-stimulus interval (ISI) where no stimulus is displayed. Repeat stimulus presentation followed by inter-stimulus interval at least 30 times. The stimulus can be displayed on alternating sides, same side or randomly as required by the investigation.
Evaluation of responses of Zebrafish in Shuttle Box tasks
Pather and Gerlai (2009) evaluated the performances of zebrafish of the AB strain in the animated stimulus presentation task and the associative learning tasks in the Shuttle Box. Images of 6 female zebrafish moving in random directions, at variable speeds were used as stimuli. They gauged that the response to animated stimulus presentation task and learning associative tasks were similar. The fish moved closer to the screen during stimulus presentation interval and swam away when the stimuli were removed. It was observed that there was an increase in swimming during the inter-stimulus interval (ISI). This could be due to the exploratory behavior of the fish engendered by the removal of the fish stimulus. In addition to this, it was seen that there was a significant increase in the thrashing in the wall adjacent to where the stimuli were displayed. This form of shoaling response was significantly reduced during ISI.
Data Analysis
The following parameters can be observed using the Zebrafish Shuttle Box.
- Percentage of time spent on the side where the stimulus was presented.
- Percentage of time swimming.
- Percentage of time thrashing.
- Motor movement pattern.
- Posture movement pattern.
- Differential fear
- Distance of the fish from the screen where the image appears.
Strengths & Limitations
Strengths
The Zebrafish Shuttle Box task is used to assess learning, memory and developmental alterations of zebrafish. The task has the potential for high throughput screening due to being computerized and straightforward. As the stimuli are digitally displayed, the researchers have complete spatial and temporal control over the stimulus delivery, thus enhancing the task’s precision. The task can be extended to evaluate different aspects of learning by using different visuals, such as fear-based learning using an aversive visual stimulus. The Shuttle Box can be used to evaluate the effects of brain lesion, pharmacological manipulations, and diseases and disorders.
Limitations
Along with video tracking, manual observations may be needed to discern between different types of movements. Extraneous cues can cause the fish to freeze during the experiment, leading to anomalous results. The length of the Shuttle Box may be a factor in judging whether the Zebrafish decided to change sides in anticipation of the stimulus or if they just wanted to be near shoal. The visual used may also be a contributing factor to the subject’s task performances. Images of atypical or abnormal conspecifics may be either ignored or avoided.
Summary & Key Points
- The Zebrafish Shuttle Box task is used in the evaluation of learning, memory and development alterations in Zebrafish.
- The Zebrafish Shuttle Box task is automated and provides researchers spatial and temporal control over the stimulus delivery.
- Manual observations may be needed to discern between different types of movement of zebrafish.
- Responses of the zebrafish are influenced by the visual stimuli. Presentation of images of conspecifics with atypical or abnormal features may not elicit the expected shoaling behaviors.
- The length of the test tank must be considered when deriving conclusions from the data.
- Extraneous cues can distract the subjects and hamper the results.
References
Al-Imari, L., & Gerlai, R. (2008). Sight of conspecifics as reward in associative learning in zebrafish (Danio rerio). Behavioral Brain Research, 189:216–9
Pather, S., & Gerlai, R., (2009) Shuttle box learning in zebrafish (Danio rerio). Behav Brain Res, 196(2), pp.323-7
From the Maze Engineers documentation for this apparatus.
Q
What stimulus presentation protocols are supported by the system?
A
The apparatus supports configurable protocols with 20-second stimulus presentation intervals, 90-second inter-stimulus intervals, and minimum 30-cycle testing sessions. Standard protocols include 10-minute initial baseline, 10-minute stimulus presentation, and 2-minute final baseline periods.
Q
How does the frame design affect video tracking accuracy?
A
The 2.5 cm grey corrugated plastic frame is specifically positioned to minimize contact with video recording surfaces while providing stimulus isolation. The design reduces visual artifacts and maintains consistent tracking conditions across experimental sessions.
Q
What water depth and temperature conditions are recommended?
A
Consult product datasheet for specific water depth recommendations. The 30 cm tank height accommodates various depth settings appropriate for adult zebrafish behavioral testing under standard laboratory temperature conditions.
Q
Can the system accommodate different fish group sizes?
A
The 38-liter tank volume supports testing of individual subjects or small groups, though specific group size recommendations should be determined based on experimental protocols and animal welfare guidelines.
Q
What type of visual stimuli can be presented on the monitors?
A
The digital monitors support presentation of animated conspecific groups, static images, or other computer-generated visual cues. Stimulus content is controlled through connected software systems allowing customization for specific experimental requirements.
Q
How is data collected and analyzed from behavioral sessions?
A
Data collection requires integration with video tracking systems to monitor fish movement and spatial preferences. Analysis typically quantifies time spent near each monitor and movement patterns during stimulus versus baseline periods.
Q
What maintenance is required for the digital monitor components?
A
Digital monitors require periodic cleaning to maintain display clarity and regular calibration to ensure consistent stimulus presentation. Protect monitors from water exposure and verify display settings before each experimental session.
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Examples of tests it scores
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