Designing Lighting Systems for Zebrafish Racks: Why Every Detail Matters
October 31, 2025
Lighting plays a far greater role in aquatic research environments than simple illumination — it shapes welfare, behaviour, and even productivity. When it comes to zebrafish, the difficulty normally surrounds how to install a light in low profile racking system, where space is limiting.
That’s why Biosystems at TMC developed the ZebLED, a lighting system engineered specifically for zebrafish racks. The low profile design provides the ability for the lights to easily integrate and retrofit into existing Zebrafish rack systems.
A big consideration when installing LED lights directly above animals, is having very bright point source light emitted from the LED diode. Our COB technology eliminates this stressor, and provides a smooth and even distribution of light across all the tanks.
Combined with the plug and play architecture, upgrading couldn’t be easier.
Key Design Considerations
Low Profile, Rack-Optimised Design
At just 20 mm thin, ZebLED units sit close to the fish tanks — minimising light loss and ensuring consistent intensity across all levels. Their slim form also allows seamless integration into multi-tier rack systems without obstructing water flow or access for researchers and technicians
Even Light Distribution, No “Spotting”
Unlike conventional high-intensity LEDs that create uneven hotspots, ZebLED uses diffused COB (Chip-On-Board) technology to deliver a smooth, continuous beam. The result: no light banding, no glare, and uniform illumination across the entire system — creating a more stable, natural environment for the fish
Natural Spectrum Including Near-UV (NUV)
Standard LEDs lack UV output, but zebrafish rely on UV sensitivity for natural behaviours like foraging. ZebLED integrates NUV diodes that better match the zebrafish’s visual spectrum — supporting natural activity, improved feeding, and reduced stress responses
Designed for Welfare and Performance
By closely replicating the natural light environment and enabling ultra-low dimming (0.1%), ZebLED lighting supports smoother transitions between day and night cycles. This reduces stress, improves feed conversion, and enhances growth and health outcomes
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