Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 20, 2026
The Three-Chamber Choice Behavioral Task using Zebrafish as a Model System
Published on: April 14, 2021
Y-maze avoidance: an automated and rapid associative learning paradigm in zebrafish
Ryo Aoki1, Takashi Tsuboi2, Hitoshi Okamoto3
1Laboratory for Developmental Gene Regulation, Neural Growth and Regeneration Research Group, RIKEN Brain Science Institute, 2-1 Hirosawa, Wako, Saitama 351-0198, Japan; Department of Life Science, Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, The University of Tokyo, 3-8-1 Komaba, Meguro, Tokyo 153-8902, Japan.
Abstract:
Adult zebrafish are gaining attention in behavioral neuroscience. By combining video tracking and computer-controlled visual cue presentations on a liquid crystal display screen under the tank, we have developed a new method by which zebrafish can be trained to avoid one arm of a Y-shaped tank by presenting a specific color on the floor paired with an electric shock. Within two hours, zebrafish learn to choose the correct arm at an efficiency of 89.0%. In addition, we also developed a graphical user interface to modify the paradigm assessment parameters such as shape of the tank and time schedules.
