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Construction of an Affordable and Easy-to-Build Zebrafish Facility
Published on: November 22, 2014
Zebrafish housing systems: a review of basic operating principles and considerations for design and functionality.
Christian Lawrence1, Timothy Mason
1Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA. clawrence@enders.tch.harvard.edu
ILAR Journal
|February 6, 2013
Summary
Zebrafish housing for research has advanced from hobbyist aquariums to industrial recirculating systems. This review details housing principles for efficient, large-scale zebrafish research facilities.
Area of Science:
- Comparative biology
- Aquaculture systems
- Laboratory animal science
Background:
- Zebrafish (Danio rerio) are a vital model organism in biomedical research.
- Housing strategies have evolved significantly over 30 years.
- The trend is towards industrialized, recirculating aquaculture systems.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide a comprehensive overview of zebrafish housing systems.
- To guide facility managers, veterinarians, and researchers.
- To assist in planning new facilities and upgrading existing operations.
Main Methods:
- Review of current zebrafish housing system designs.
- Analysis of operating principles in recirculating aquaculture.
- Examination of space-maximization design strategies.
Main Results:
- Sophisticated commercial housing systems are now available.
- These systems support large and diverse research programs.
- Key design principles focus on maximizing animal density.
Conclusions:
- Understanding housing system principles is crucial for effective zebrafish research.
- This knowledge aids in the construction and maintenance of research facilities.
- The evolution towards industrial systems supports the growing needs of the zebrafish model.
