The Housing and Husbandry of Zebrafish (Danio rerio) in a Laboratory Environment

Abstract

The international research community has witnessed the substantial contribution of the zebrafish, from its origins as a low-cost, model system for developmental biology research that has now been extended to a broad number of scientific disciplines including genetic analysis, gene regulation, angiogenesis, cancer biology, drug discovery, and toxicology. A high degree of genetic homology with humans and the advent of genome-editing CRISPR/Cas9 techniques allow for the creation of zebrafish knockouts that have helped elucidate gene function and identify disease genes in humans. Access to large-scale research resources, genetic markers, and mutant inventory that accumulated over the decades, combined with the availability of commercial aquatic housing systems, has led many investigators to choose zebrafish as a model system. Given its wide-scale usage, understanding new approaches and methods of zebrafish husbandry is essential to ensure efficient propagation and maintenance of healthy and genetically diverse fish lines. This chapter provides basic information about facility design, modern aquatic systems, water quality, husbandry, nutrition, breeding, and health of the zebrafish. Along with present-day resources, updates on the basic requirements for raising the zebrafish in laboratory conditions will benefit the zebrafish research community, facility managers, veterinarians, and technicians.