ZebLED - World First Biologically Optimised Lighting for Precision Control of Zebrafish Racking Systems

Lighting is increasingly recognised as a crucial element of modern husbandry and life support system design. Advanced lighting and lighting control systems enable sophisticated control of all lighting variables, including intensity, spectrum, and photoperiod. Zebrafish possess advanced tetrachromatic colour vision which includes sensitivity in the UV range – this is thought to be important in detecting food as well as other biological processes. Standard LEDs do not emit any UV light and therefore do not represent an optimum light source for zebrafish systems. The new ZebLED has been designed specifically by Biosystems* for Zebrafish. The addition of NUV (“near-UV”) LED emitters to supplement spectral output results in a spectral profile that closely matches zebrafish sensitivity. The cutting-edge COB LED technology is ideally suited for rack systems, providing a smooth, continuous light along the length of the strip to avoid 'spotting'.

By combining this spectrum with advanced photoperiod control, including ultra low-level dimming (0.1%), we can create light conditions that closely match the natural environment. Matching the natural light conditions and visual acuity of an animal often supports improvements in productivity and quality, better FCR and growth, improved immunity, and increased homogeneity, but also enriches the environment, reducing stress and strengthening welfare credentials.

Zebrafish racking typically doesn’t incorporate dedicated livestock lighting. The reliance on ambient lighting to illuminate Zebrafish systems results in no optimised photoperiod control, impacting biological processes and research consistency. The lack of effective lighting also doesn’t support technicians to monitor and maintain Zebrafish and their culture tanks effectively.

*Biosystems, the commercial division of Tropical Marine Centre, have been designing specialist LED lights since 2008, used across a wide variety of applications ranging from public aquaria, aquatic research & development, aquaculture broodstock and larval rearing to agricultural lights suitable for pigs and poultry.