ABSTRACT
Zebrafish are now one of the most popular models for laboratory science worldwide. As sentient animals with the capacity to suffer, they deserve welfare consideration, which involves understanding their behavior in natural environments, where they are able to engage in a full behavioral repertoire. This chapter assembles the knowledge about the natural behaviors of zebrafish in order to inform the ways we take care of them in laboratories. In the first half of the chapter, we investigate their ecology, social behaviors, and feeding behaviors. In the second half, we provide ideas as to how these behaviors can be promoted in laboratories and other captive settings. We also distinguish and define behaviors that are abnormal and normal, including potential indicators of positive well-being. Last, we assess the benefits and potential drawbacks to standard laboratory housing and the associated implications for science. Natural and naturalistic observations show that zebrafish have a complex behavioral repertoire, some components of which are not seen in traditional laboratory environments. Advancements are needed to what is currently considered “standard laboratory housing” to promote natural behavior, good welfare, and reliable scientific data.
