freshwater
Zebrafish Larva
Danio rerio
Translucent body, large dark eye, visible yolk sac in early stages, elongated form with a developing dorsal fin and long tail. It lacks the horizontal adult stripes at this stage.
- Habitat
- Native to the Ganges and Brahmaputra river basins in Ind…
- Size & weight
- As larvae, they are typically 3-4 mm in length.…
- Diet
- Larvae consume microzooplankton such as rotifers and par…
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Physical characteristics
Translucent body, large dark eye, visible yolk sac in early stages, elongated form with a developing dorsal fin and long tail. It lacks the horizontal adult stripes at this stage.
Habitat & distribution
Native to the Ganges and Brahmaputra river basins in India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Nepal; often found in rice paddies and slow-moving streams.
Behavior
Larvae exhibit rapid escape responses (C-starts) and become active swimmers within days after hatching. Adults are highly social and school.
Diet
Larvae consume microzooplankton such as rotifers and paramecia. Adults are omnivores.
Reproduction
They are high-fecundity spawners; a female can lay hundreds of eggs which hatch in about 48-72 hours depending on temperature.
Ecological role
In the wild, they serve as a food source for larger fish and help control populations of small invertebrates.
Similar species
Other Danio species larvae, though the Zebrafish is the specific model organism most common in research settings like the one pictured.
Identification tips
Look for the large eye relative to the head size and the very clear, translucent body typical of early developmental stages.
Interesting facts
Zebrafish are crucial in scientific research because they share 70% of their genes with humans and their embryos are transparent, allowing scientists to watch organs develop in real time.