The zebrafish (Danio rerio) is now the second most-used animal model by the scientific community, especially due to its low maintenance cost, ease of use, rapid growth and versatility. However, there is still considerable biological variability inherent to the methods of production and growth, mainly due to the different dietary protocols established in the different vivariums. There is therefore a need to standardise zootechnical techniques and methodologies, in order to obtain replicable scientific results between different laboratories. The use of live prey (brine shrimp and rotifers) is quite common in zebrafish vivariums, with brine shrimp frequently used to feed juveniles and adults, while rotifers are currently suggested as the preferred live prey for normalising zebrafish larval cultivation. In order to define standardised protocols, ideally live prey should be fed or enriched with the nutrients necessary for the correct development and reproduction of the zebrafish, with microalgae fulfilling this function. However, although there are currently commercial microalgae products for live prey, they were not designed specifically for zebrafish. As such, the ZEBRABLOOM project aims to meet the current needs of vivaria, with the development of commercial microalgae products adjusted to the nutritional needs of zebrafish, which will thus provide improved and standardised larval development and increase the reproductive capacity of adults. The products developed will open a window of opportunity to a new niche market, as it is estimated that the European market alone represents more than 1.5 million euros, with around 500 vivaria already identified through advance prospecting.
Paulo Gavaia
NECTON-Companhia Portuguesa de Culturas Marinhas S.A. (Coordenador)
Universidade do Algarve

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