# Protocol for assessing visual stimulus discrimination in Danionella cerebrum and Danio rerio using habituation/dishabituation

## TL;DR

This paper introduces a protocol to test visual discrimination in two fish species using habituation and dishabituation techniques.

## Contribution

A novel protocol for assessing visual stimulus discrimination in Danionella cerebrum and Danio rerio using habituation/dishabituation.

## Key findings

- Behavioral response recovery is used to measure change detection and feature discrimination.
- The protocol includes steps for habituation and controlled stimulus change during dishabituation.

## Abstract

Here, we present a protocol to assess visual discrimination in fish, specifically Danionella cerebrum and Danio rerio. We describe steps for the familiarization of subjects to reduce contextual novelty and habituation through repeated presentation of a constant feature stimulus. We then detail procedures for a dishabituation session that introduces a stimulus change. In this protocol, the recovery of behavioral response provides a measure of change detection and feature discrimination.

For complete details on the use and execution of this protocol, please refer to Zanon et al.1

•Guidance on familiarizing fish with the testing context to stabilize baseline behavior•Steps to induce habituation to a target feature while varying noninformative cues•Instructions for introducing a controlled change in the target feature at dishabituation•Guidance on quantifying response recovery as a measure of visual discrimination

Guidance on familiarizing fish with the testing context to stabilize baseline behavior

Steps to induce habituation to a target feature while varying noninformative cues

Instructions for introducing a controlled change in the target feature at dishabituation

Guidance on quantifying response recovery as a measure of visual discrimination

Publisher’s note: Undertaking any experimental protocol requires adherence to local institutional guidelines for laboratory safety and ethics.

Here, we present a protocol to assess visual discrimination in fish, specifically Danionella cerebrum and Danio rerio. We describe steps for the familiarization of subjects to reduce contextual novelty and habituation through repeated presentation of a constant feature stimulus. We then detail procedures for a dishabituation session that introduces a stimulus change. In this protocol, the recovery of behavioral response provides a measure of change detection and feature discrimination.