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Related Concept Videos

Fixed Action Patterns01:06

Fixed Action Patterns

A fixed action pattern (FAP) is a specific, hard-wired sequence of behaviors that occurs in response to an external stimulus, called a sign stimulus. The behavior is “fixed” because it is essentially unchangeable—proceeding similarly across individuals of a species every time it occurs.

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 16, 2026

Behavioral Approaches to Studying Innate Stress in Zebrafish
05:29

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Published on: May 1, 2019

Scototaxis as anxiety-like behavior in fish.

Caio Maximino1, Thiago Marques de Brito, Claudio Alberto Gellis de Mattos Dias

  • 1Laboratório de Neurociências e Comportamento, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Para, Belém, Brazil. caio@ufpa.br

Nature Protocols
|February 6, 2010
PubMed
Summary

The scototaxis protocol uses fish to test anxiety behaviors. Increased exploration of the light area indicates reduced anxiety, while dark area preference suggests anxiety.

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Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Ethology
  • Behavioral Pharmacology

Background:

  • Scototaxis (dark/light preference) is a validated behavioral model in fish.
  • It is used to assess anxiety-related behaviors and the effects of various substances.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To validate the scototaxis protocol for assessing antianxiety effects.
  • To investigate the behavioral impact of toxic substances.
  • To explore the genetic and epigenetic underpinnings of anxiety.

Main Methods:

  • Fish are placed in a central compartment of a black-and-white tank.
  • Exploration time and entries into each compartment are recorded over 15 minutes.
  • Zebrafish, goldfish, guppies, and tilapias are commonly used species.

Main Results:

  • Fish species tested show a preference for the dark compartment.
  • Increased activity in the white compartment suggests antianxiety effects.
  • Increased activity in the dark compartment indicates anxiety-promoting effects.

Conclusions:

  • The scototaxis protocol provides a rapid (20 min per fish) assessment of anxiety-related behavior.
  • This model is suitable for evaluating pharmacological agents and toxic substances.
  • It aids in understanding the neurobiological basis of anxiety.