Evaluating the suitability of substrate enrichment for Zebrafish in high-capacity research aquaria (2025)

McKay-West, J., Green, M., Chance, R.

Abstract

Zebrafish, Danio rerio, show a preference for substrate enrichment within their tanks however this is seldom included within high-capacity research aquaria due to fears its inclusion may impact on their ability to breed on demand. To investigate this potential impact enriched tanks featured gravel-like glass bead enrichment within standard 3.5L tanks and were bred alongside barren tanks at regular intervals, comparative to a typical wildtype breeding schedule. The subsequent clutches were compared for size and quality. Across a 19 point long term breeding regime there was no significant difference between number of eggs laid by fish housed in enriched tanks in comparison to those housed in barren tanks. Furthermore, we have indicated that the inclusion of gravel-type enrichment has a statistically significant effect on the quality of clutch, resulting in a higher proportion of viable eggs.