ConductVision Zebrafish Package
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Zebrafish Sociability
SKU ME-4854
$1,590.00
IncludesStandard care
Five-chamber transparent acrylic behavioral testing system for investigating zebrafish social behaviors, exploration patterns, and personality-driven responses under controlled experimental conditions.
Scientist guidance
Louise Corscadden, PhD
Director of Science · ConductScience
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Key Specifications
Full details →- Model fit
- Zebrafish
- SKU family
- ME-4854
- Sizing
- Zebrafish: Tank size: 40cm x 25 cm x 20cm; Starting area: 5cm x 5cm black box with guillotine door
- Ordering
- Online checkout and quote request available
- Category
- Behavioral Mazes
- Build notes
- Clear Acrylic, transparent acrylic
The Zebrafish Sociability chamber is a specialized behavioral testing apparatus designed for investigating social behaviors and personality-driven responses in zebrafish (Danio rerio). The system features a five-chamber configuration (40 cm x 25 cm x 20 cm) constructed from transparent acrylic, enabling comprehensive observation of both exploratory and social behaviors under controlled conditions.
This apparatus facilitates systematic evaluation of how individual behavioral profiles influence responses to environmental stimuli, pharmacological interventions, and social contexts. The chamber design incorporates a starting area (5 cm x 5 cm black box) with guillotine door for controlled subject introduction, transparent partitions with 2 cm openings for progressive exploration, and a dedicated shoal chamber for social stimulus presentation. The system supports standardized protocols for behavioral phenotyping and neurobehavioral research applications.
How It Works
The zebrafish sociability chamber operates on the principle of progressive exploration and social choice preference. The apparatus presents subjects with a gradient of environmental complexity, from a controlled starting environment through intermediate exploration zones to a social stimulus area. Subjects are introduced into the starting chamber and allowed to explore through transparent partitions with standardized openings (2 cm height), enabling voluntary progression between chambers.
Behavioral assessment relies on spatiotemporal analysis of movement patterns, chamber occupancy time, and approach behaviors toward social stimuli. The transparent acrylic construction permits continuous video tracking and quantitative measurement of exploration latency, time spent in social versus non-social zones, and frequency of social approach behaviors. The guillotine door system ensures controlled trial initiation while maintaining environmental consistency across testing sessions.
Social stimuli are typically presented as conspecific groups in the terminal chamber, allowing measurement of social preference through proximity seeking and time allocation behaviors. The chamber dimensions and partition specifications provide standardized conditions for comparing individual behavioral profiles and treatment effects across experimental groups.
Features & Benefits
Five-chamber progressive design
Enables systematic evaluation of exploration behavior from controlled starting environment through social stimulus presentation area.
Transparent acrylic construction
Provides unobstructed visual access for behavioral observation and video tracking without affecting fish behavior through optical distortion.
Standardized partition openings (2 cm height)
Ensures consistent exploration challenges and voluntary progression between chambers across all experimental subjects.
Guillotine door starting chamber (5 cm x 5 cm)
Allows controlled trial initiation and consistent starting conditions while preventing premature exploration during acclimation.
Optimized chamber dimensions (40 cm x 25 cm x 20 cm)
Provides sufficient swimming space for natural behavior expression while maintaining manageable apparatus size for laboratory use.
Dedicated social stimulus chamber
Supports controlled presentation of conspecific groups for standardized assessment of social approach and preference behaviors.
Compatible housing tank specifications (90 x 45 x 30 cm)
Enables environmental enrichment with shelter and plant elements to support natural behavioral repertoires during testing protocols.
Sizes by model
| Measurement | Zebrafish |
|---|---|
| Size | Tank size: 40cm x 25 cm x 20cm; Starting area: 5cm x 5cm black box with guillotine door |
- Tank size: 40cm x 25 cm x 20cm
- 5 chamber divisions, transparent
- Starting area: 5cm x 5cm black box with guillotine door
Number of Chambers
- 5
Housing Tank Dimensions
- 90 x 45 x 30 cm
Black Box Dimensions
- 5 cm x 5 cm
Exit Hole Width
- 5 cm
Partition Opening Height
- 2 cm
Tube Diameter
- 3 cm
Shelter Pot Diameter
- 10 cm
Plant Height Range
- 12 to 30 cm
Acclimatization Time
- 60 seconds
Observation Duration
- 10 minutes
Guillotine Door
- present
Behavioral Construct
- Social behavior
- Exploratory behavior
- Anxiety-like behavior
- Approach-avoidance behavior
- Social preference
- Shoaling behavior
- Behavioral phenotyping
Automation Level
- manual
Material
- Clear Acrylic
- transparent acrylic
Color
- Black
Species
- Zebrafish
Dimensions
- 40 cm x 25 cm x 20 cm
Research Domain
- Addiction Research
- Anxiety and Depression
- Behavioral Pharmacology
- Developmental Biology
- 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chamber Configuration | Five chambers with progressive exploration design | Three-chamber systems are more common in social preference testing | Enables detailed analysis of exploration patterns and behavioral transitions between social and non-social zones. |
| Partition Design | Standardized 2 cm height openings between chambers | Varies by model, often with larger openings or removable barriers | Provides consistent exploration challenge while maintaining voluntary choice behavior across all test subjects. |
| Starting Chamber Control | 5 cm x 5 cm starting area with guillotine door mechanism | Many systems lack controlled starting chambers | Ensures standardized trial initiation and consistent acclimatization conditions for behavioral reliability. |
| Overall Dimensions | 40 cm x 25 cm x 20 cm chamber system | Varies widely, from smaller desktop units to larger arena systems | Optimizes swimming space for natural behavior expression while maintaining manageable laboratory footprint. |
| Construction Material | Transparent acrylic throughout | Mixed materials including opaque sections in some models | Provides complete visual access for behavioral observation without optical distortion affecting fish behavior. |
This apparatus combines progressive exploration assessment with standardized social choice testing through its five-chamber design and controlled starting mechanism. The transparent acrylic construction and standardized partition dimensions support reliable behavioral quantification and video tracking capabilities.
Behavioral Pharmacology
Evaluating drug effects on zebrafish social approach behaviors and shoaling responses using standardized exploration protocols with controlled social stimulus presentation.
Neuroscience
Investigating neural mechanisms underlying social behavior through behavioral phenotyping of zebrafish models with genetic modifications or pharmacological manipulations.
Anxiety and Depression
Assessing anxiety-like behaviors and social withdrawal patterns in zebrafish models of neuropsychiatric disorders using approach-avoidance paradigms.
Developmental Biology
Characterizing developmental changes in social behavior and personality traits across zebrafish life stages using standardized behavioral testing protocols.
Addiction Research
Studying addiction-related behavioral changes and social interaction deficits in zebrafish models exposed to drugs of abuse or withdrawal conditions.
Social Behavior
Quantifying individual differences in social preference, shoaling behavior, and exploratory activity to establish behavioral profiles and personality phenotypes.
Practical Tips
Best Practices
Maintain consistent lighting conditions and minimize external disturbances during the 10-minute observation period to ensure reliable behavioral measurements.
Why: Environmental stability is critical for reproducible social behavior assessment and reduces confounding variables.
Maintenance
Inspect partition openings regularly for algae buildup or debris that could affect fish movement between chambers.
Why: Blocked or partially obstructed openings alter exploration dynamics and compromise behavioral data validity.
Calibration
Verify guillotine door mechanism operates smoothly before each testing session and opens completely to prevent movement restriction.
Why: Incomplete door opening can create artificial exploration barriers that affect behavioral measurements.
Data Quality
Record baseline activity levels in each chamber without social stimuli present to establish individual exploration preferences.
Why: Baseline measurements enable separation of social approach behaviors from general exploration tendencies.
Troubleshooting
If subjects show reluctance to explore through partitions, verify water levels are consistent across chambers and openings are unobstructed.
Why: Water level differences or physical obstructions create artificial barriers that prevent normal exploratory behavior.
Safety
Monitor social stimulus fish for signs of stress and replace as needed to maintain consistent behavioral stimulation throughout testing sessions.
Why: Stressed or inactive stimulus fish provide poor social cues and reduce the validity of social preference measurements.
Setup Guide
Unpack and Inspect
Remove all chamber components from packaging and inspect transparent acrylic surfaces for damage or scratches that could affect behavioral observation.
Assemble Chamber System
Connect the five chamber sections ensuring proper alignment of partition openings (2 cm height) and secure guillotine door mechanism in starting chamber.
Fill and Condition
Fill chambers with conditioned water to appropriate depth and allow temperature equilibration for 30 minutes before introducing subjects.
Prepare Social Stimuli
Place conspecific shoal (typically 3-5 individuals) in terminal chamber and allow 10 minutes for stimulus fish to acclimate and establish normal swimming patterns.
Set Up Recording System
Position overhead camera system to capture entire apparatus and configure tracking software for automated behavioral analysis if available.
Subject Acclimatization
Place test subject in starting chamber and allow 60 seconds acclimatization period before opening guillotine door to begin trial.
Begin Observation Protocol
Initiate 10-minute observation period immediately after guillotine door opening and record behavioral parameters including chamber transitions and social approach behaviors.
What’s in the Box
- Five-chamber sociability apparatus (transparent acrylic)
- Guillotine door mechanism for starting chamber
- Inter-chamber partition system with standardized openings
- Assembly hardware and connection fittings
- User manual with setup and protocol guidelines (typical)
- Environmental enrichment accessories (typical)
Warranty
ConductScience provides a one-year manufacturer warranty covering defects in materials and workmanship, with technical support for apparatus setup and protocol optimization available throughout the warranty period.
Compliance
ARRIVE GuidelinesCommonly used in zebrafish behavioral studies where comprehensive reporting of experimental design and animal welfare considerations is required.
IACUC Protocol StandardsSupports behavioral testing workflows subject to institutional animal care and use committee oversight and approval processes.
Laboratory Animal Welfare GuidelinesUsed in research environments governed by animal welfare regulations requiring refinement of behavioral testing methods and stress reduction.
References
Background reading relevant to this product:
1.Tyrone Lucon‐Xiccato et al. (2022) “bdnf loss affects activity, sociability, and anxiety-like behaviour in zebrafish” Behavioural Brain Research doi:10.1016/j.bbr.2022.114115
Q
What water depth should be maintained in the chambers during testing?
A
Consult product datasheet for specific depth recommendations, though typical protocols use 5-10 cm depth to allow natural swimming behavior while maintaining behavioral visibility for overhead recording.
Q
How many social stimulus fish should be used in the shoal chamber?
A
Standard protocols typically employ 3-5 conspecific individuals as social stimuli, though group size may be adjusted based on experimental design and the specific social behaviors under investigation.
Q
Can the apparatus be used with different zebrafish strains or developmental stages?
A
Yes, the chamber system accommodates various zebrafish strains and adult fish, though partition opening dimensions (2 cm height) may limit use with very large or small individuals depending on body size.
Q
What environmental parameters need to be controlled during testing?
A
Maintain consistent water temperature (26-28°C), lighting conditions, and allow 60-second acclimatization period before trial initiation as specified in the standard protocol.
Q
How should behavioral data be quantified and analyzed?
A
Standard measures include time spent in each chamber, latency to first chamber transition, frequency of social approach behaviors, and total exploration activity during the 10-minute observation period.
Q
What cleaning protocols are recommended between test subjects?
A
Thoroughly rinse chambers with conditioned water between subjects to remove chemical cues, and allow brief equilibration period before introducing subsequent test fish.
Q
Can the apparatus be modified for different experimental paradigms?
A
The modular design allows for protocol variations, though structural modifications to partition dimensions or chamber configuration may affect behavioral outcome comparisons with published literature.
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ConductVision is our video-tracking software. Record your sessions on video, and it scores standard zebrafish tests, such as those listed below.
Examples of tests it scores
The Zebrafish Package includes a custom assay made on request. To have one made for this test, ask in your quote request.
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