Applying automatic operant boxes (“Skinner boxes”) for studies on behavioural flexibility in zebrafish (Danio rerio) 

Abstract: The most successful and widely used animal models in neuroscience are rats and mice, which has been vital for the understanding of the human brain. Another model that has become more prominent during recent years is the zebrafish (Danio rerio). Due to its well-elaborated visual system and learning of aversive events, the zebrafish has become a suitable model for learning and memorizing. In this paper, the relationship between coping styles and learning in different zebrafish strains has been studied by using automatic operant boxes. The strains that were compared are the Tupfel Long Fin (TL). offspring of wild-caught zebrafish (WT) and the Spiegel danio (Spd). The results from the novel tank diving test suggest that there is a difference in coping style depending on the strain of zebrafish. The TL was characterized as a reactive (shy) fish as it had the longest cumulative duration time at the bottom of the tank. The Spd was characterized as a proactive (bold) fish as it had the longest cumulative duration time at the top of the tank. While, the WT characterized as a reactive fish as it exhibited the longest time not moving at all in the tank, indicating a high-stress response profile. An automatic operant box was used to study learning in the different strains. The purpose of the script used was for the fish to associate the feeder mechanism noise and the white light feeder with a food reward. However, no tendency of learning could be observed for any of the strains.