Open-source virtual reality platform for head-fixed adult zebrafish
- 1Friedrich Miescher Institute for Biomedical Research
Abstract
Virtual realities (VRs) are powerful tools to study how brains interact with the world through behavior. We present a new platform for closed-loop high-resolution virtual-reality experiments in head-fixed adult zebrafish. The VR is defined using open-source software, projected onto a semi-hexagonal tank by three projectors, and controlled by software allowing for modular trial-and-block experimental designs. Real time VR updates are performed by an optimized algorithm based on infrared tail videos. Two-photon imaging during behavior is achieved by custom gating of VR projectors and coordinated with stimulus triggers by a microcontroller. Using this system we found that fish respond to visual landmarks in virtual corridors with distinct changes in locomotion parameters and body posture. Adding landmarks to a familiar corridor elicited localized behavioral responses that decayed with experience. Restricting the viewing distance by simulating 'murky water' further confirmed that behavioral responses were driven by the visibility of landmarks independent of their position. Our platform provides a user-friendly, versatile VR system for the joint analysis of neuronal activity and behavior in adult zebrafish
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BibTeX
@misc{javier2026opensource,
title = {{Open-source virtual reality platform for head-fixed adult zebrafish}},
author = {A. Javier and S. Narayanan and L. Anneser and J. van Krugten and R. W. Friedrich},
howpublished = {bioRxiv},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.64898/2026.10.19.760147},
url = {https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.10.19.760147v1},
note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY - UNPB
TI - Open-source virtual reality platform for head-fixed adult zebrafish
AU - A. Javier
AU - S. Narayanan
AU - L. Anneser
AU - J. van Krugten
AU - R. W. Friedrich
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/19
PB - bioRxiv
DO - 10.64898/2026.10.19.760147
UR - https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.10.19.760147v1
AB - Virtual realities (VRs) are powerful tools to study how brains interact with the world through behavior. We present a new platform for closed-loop high-resolution virtual-reality experiments in head-fixed adult zebrafish. The VR is defined using open-source software, projected onto a semi-hexagonal tank by three projectors, and controlled by software allowing for modular trial-and-block experimental designs. Real time VR updates are performed by an optimized algorithm based on infrared tail videos. Two-photon imaging during behavior is achieved by custom gating of VR projectors and coordinated with stimulus triggers by a microcontroller. Using this system we found that fish respond to visual landmarks in virtual corridors with distinct changes in locomotion parameters and body posture. Adding landmarks to a familiar corridor elicited localized behavioral responses that decayed with experience. Restricting the viewing distance by simulating 'murky water' further confirmed that behavioral responses were driven by the visibility of landmarks independent of their position. Our platform provides a user-friendly, versatile VR system for the joint analysis of neuronal activity and behavior in adult zebrafish
ER -