We are conducting 21 days reproductive toxicity test using zebrafish. This experiment requires embryo collection daily. We maintain the ZF in 50L aquarium capcity until they reach 16 weeks of age. For the experiment, we transfer the fish pairs from the main aquarium to experimental tanks (5 pairs/4L water/tank). The temperature, feeding, and light conditions are the same as in the main aquarium.
On the first day, ZF lay embryos in all the tanks. However, from day two, ZF stops laying embryos.
Is there any way to restore/maintain the ZF for embryo collection?
We similarly have been unsuccessful breeding the same fish repeatedly. Even bred weekly, we see reductions in egg numbers across breedings. For that reason, we generally space group breedings apart by 2-3 weeks. You could certainly breed the same fish at the beginning and end of the 21 day period and have successful egg collections, but if you need frequent collections, you will likely need to use multiple breeding pairs in order to fill all of the necessary time points.
Dear Murali,
The Optimum temperature for zebrafish to lay eggs were 24 to 26 degrees around early sun shine (7 to 8 am).
first you have to select the female fish which visibly carriers the eggs. also select a playful male. allow them to mate overnight and seprate the fish from the bottom using a mosquito net so that the eggs will drop on the bottom. else, the fish will eat all the eggs before you notice.
also fishes wont contineusly lay eggs. in my lab we experinced the same, but there is a cycle of around 10 to 20 days were the fishes wont lay eggs and they start laying. so you keep alterntive fish pairs for the embryo collection.
finally feed the female fish adequate so the ovary will develop the eggs healthy.
all the best
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