The University of Iowa
Vertebrate Animal Research

Zebrafish (Policy)

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IACUC Policy

 

Policy: The IACUC has provided a set of guidance documents (Policies, Guidelines, and Informational Sheets) for use when planning animal procedures at the University of Iowa. An exception to a Policy must be described and justified in the Animal Protocol and approved by the full IACUC at a convened monthly meeting.

 

Zebrafish

 

Purpose

The purpose of this document is to describe when zebrafish species are covered by the Public Health Service Policy (PHS) on Humane Care and Use of Laboratory Animals.  In addition, this document will describe when it is required for zebrafish to be housed in OAR facilities.    This document is intended for use by researchers at the University of Iowa.

 

Requirement for Submission of an Animal Protocol1

  • Live embryos are only applicable to the PHS Policy once they hatch (larvae typically hatch from their chorion or egg shell between 3-4 days post fertilization (dpf)). 
  • However, the adult females laying the eggs are covered by the PHS Policy and their use requires an IACUC approved Animal Protocol
  • Larval forms of fish have vertebrae and are covered by the PHS Policy; thus an IACUC approved Animal Protocol is required to cover all research procedures utilizing larval forms of fish

 

Housing Location

  • Housing of adult zebrafish (greater than 14 dpf) outside of OAR vivaria must be described and justified in the Animal Protocol and approved by the IACUC
  • Larvae up to 14 dpf can be kept in a laboratory space approved by the IACUC. 
    • Larvae up to 14dpf will be housed in conditioned clean water. 
    • No additional water quality monitoring is necessary for fish up to this age

Monitoring of Environmental Conditions (room/enclosure temperature)*

  • Housing temperature must be monitored continuously and logged at least once a day (see record keeping)
  • A remote access environmental monitoring system must be used

Record Keeping

  • Husbandry log/records are required starting at 3-4 dpf and must be kept in the housing room
  • Animals must be fed at least daily when appropriate for the dpf stage (example: most zebrafish may start to be fed at day 4 dpf)2
  • The following must be documented:
  • For Zebrafish 3-4 dpf through 14 dpf
    • Daily recordings
      • Room/enclosure temperature
      • Observation of fish health
    • When the activity occurs
      • Water changes*
      • Feeding of fish*
        • feeding practices may be delayed/start later than 4 dpf based on developmental stage and presence of a yolk sac
        • if this occurs, it must be documented and justified in the husbandry log
    • Records must indicate the age of Zebrafish in any given container
  • For Zebrafish greater than 14 dpf
    • Daily recordings
      • Room/enclosure temperature
      • Feeding of fish
      • Observation of fish health
    • When activity occurs
      • Water changes *
  • Records must indicate the age of Zebrafish in any given container

 

* If unfamiliar with zebrafish husbandry practices, please contact an OAR veterinarian for guidance

 

References:

  1. Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare (OLAW) FAQ: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/olaw/faqs.htm
  2. The Zebrafish Information Network (ZFIN): https://zfin.org/zf_info/zfbook/chapt3/3.2.html

 

Last reviewed by the IACUC 12/13/2023