This document discusses a collaboration between SMARTAQUA and Aquatic Supplies Wales to re-home excess zebrafish produced for research purposes to the aquarium trade. Zebrafish are commonly used for biomedical research but breeding precise numbers for research often leads to surpluses. The collaboration explored transporting excess zebrafish from a research lab to Aquatic Supplies Wales, where they would be acclimated and fed before being made available for the aquarium trade. The goal is to more sustainably manage zebrafish populations in research and aquariums.

1. S.I.BARRENTO@SWANSEA.AC.UK @SMARTAQUA2 +44 (0)1792 602 030 WWW.SMARTAQUA.ORG.UK
OBJECTIVE
To explore the possibility of re-
homing excess fish produced for
research purposes to be used in
the aquarium trade.
OUTCOME
To contribute to a more
sustainable management of
zebrafish in research and in the
aquarium trade.
NEW HOMES FOR
LABORATORY FISH
The SMARTAQUA team
in collaboration with Aquatic Supplies Wales
BACKGROUND
Zebrafish is the second most used vertebrate in experimental
procedures for biomedical research and life sciences research. It is also
one of the most popular freshwater aquarium species, with beginner
aquarists.
Zebrafish used in the aquarium trade are usually imported from far away
countries. Zebrafish used in research are bred in purpose-built labs but
breeding the precise required numbers of zebrafish for scientific
research is difficult and often a surplus of fish are produced. The Centre
of Sustainable Aquatic Research has a zebrafish lab where it breeds,
grows, and maintains zebrafish for research.
In this collaboration we explored the possibility of re-homing excess fish
produced for research purposes to be used in the aquarium trade.
ACTIVITIES
Transport fish from CSAR to Aquatic Supplies Wales following normal
industry procedures. Acclimatisation will follow good practice, and fish
will be fed ad libitum twice a day.