Despair-like behavior in fish based on the zebrafish (Danio rerio)

The zebrafish tail immobilization test is a relatively new method for analyzing zebrafish behavior, based on the paradigm of learned helplessness, when the animal is exposed to an uncontrollable stressor, and soon abandons all attempts to avoid the aversive stimulus, adopting a posture of immobility. As an aversive stimulus acts restraining fish tail in a viscose sponge, without restricting the mobility of the lateral fins and the front of the body. The zebrafish tail immobilization test is suitable for detecting depressive-like ‘despair’ behavior in zebrafish, paralleling clinical apathy and lethargy in depression.