Convert zebrafish age to human-equivalent age using Kishi (2003) / Gerhard (2002) scaling. Strain-specific lifespan factors, hpf support, life-stage classification from embryo through senescence.
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The first 3 days of zebrafish life compress ~1 human year of development. Small differences in hpf produce large differences in human-equivalent age during this window.
At 28.5°C, somitogenesis proceeds at ~1 somite/30 min. At 25°C, development slows ~30%. The calculator assumes standard 28.5°C.
AB wild-type live ~42 months, but Casper can be as short as ~37 months. Transparent strains used for imaging may have shorter lifespans.
Zebrafish age is converted to human-equivalent days via a piecewise function calibrated against published developmental milestones from Kishi (2003) and Gerhard (2002). The hpf unit is converted to days by dividing by 24 (standard 28.5°C). Lifespan position = zebrafish_days / (median_lifespan_days × strain_factor).
Last validated 2026-04-09. Calculations are designed for planning and documentation support; verify procurement decisions against manufacturer specifications or institutional SOPs.
ConductScience Zebrafish Age Converter (v0.87.0). ConductScience, Inc. 2026. Available at: https://conductscience.com/tools/zebrafish-age-converter
Kishi S et al. The zebrafish as a vertebrate model of functional aging and very gradual senescence. Exp Gerontol. 2003;38(7):777-786.
Gerhard GS et al. Life spans and senescent phenotypes in two strains of Zebrafish. Exp Gerontol. 2002;37(8-9):1055-1068.
Kimmel CB et al. Stages of embryonic development of the zebrafish. Dev Dyn. 1995;203(3):253-310.
Zebrafish (Danio rerio) are increasingly used in aging research due to their genetic tractability, optical transparency (especially Casper and Nacre strains), short generation time, and conserved vertebrate aging pathways.
Key advantages over rodent models:
The main limitation is that zebrafish–human age scaling is less well-characterized than rodent models.
Zebrafish development follows the Kimmel et al. (1995) staging series:
For precise embryonic staging, use the Zebrafish Embryo Staging Calculator which includes temperature correction.
Manage zebrafish colonies with automatic life-stage tracking, breeding schedules, and facility compliance.
Open app EquipmentRecirculating aquatic systems, breeding tanks, and larval rearing chambers
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