Overview
Service Details
Endpoints
Workflow
ApplicationsAdvantagesFAQ
Overview
Zebrafish are commonly utilized in aquatic ecotoxicology because of their rapid development, transparent embryos, high sensitivity to environmental toxicants and appropriateness for multi-endpoint analysis. Zebrafish embryo and larval models enable researchers to investigate both lethal and sublethal toxic effects in a short testing window.
With our Zebrafish Aquatic Ecotoxicity Testing service, clients can evaluate the environmental safety of chemicals and samples using customized, data-rich tests. Studies can be modified based on the test material qualities, route of exposure, concentration range, objective endpoints and project goals.
This service can support:
2
Zebrafish ecotoxicity assays
3
Zebrafish embryo toxicity testing
4
Fish embryo acute toxicity testing
5
Developmental toxicity assessment
6
Environmental toxicity screening
7
Pollutant and wastewater toxicity evaluation
8
Early-stage environmental risk assessment
Our Zebrafish Aquatic Ecotoxicity Assays
Fish Embryo Acute Toxicity Test, FET
The Fish Embryo Acute Toxicity Test uses zebrafish embryos to evaluate acute toxicity during early development. The assay can be designed with reference to OECD 236 FET test principles, where applicable.
Typical endpoints include:
- Embryo coagulation
- Lack of somite formation
- Non-detachment of the tail
- Lack of heartbeat
- Mortality rate
- LC50 calculation, if applicable
This assay is suitable for screening chemicals, pesticides, pharmaceuticals, cosmetic ingredients, and environmental contaminants.
Zebrafish Developmental Toxicity Assay
The zebrafish developmental toxicity assay evaluates the effects of test substances on embryo and larval development. It is especially useful for detecting sublethal toxicity that may not be captured by mortality alone.
Common developmental endpoints include:
- Hatching rate
- Hatching delay
- Developmental delay
- Body length reduction
- Pericardial edema
- Yolk sac edema
- Spinal curvature
- Craniofacial abnormalities
- Pigmentation defects
- General malformation rate
This assay provides a sensitive readout for environmental pollutants, agrochemicals, nanomaterials, and complex mixtures.
Zebrafish Larval Toxicity Testing
Zebrafish larval toxicity testing extends the observation window beyond embryonic development and allows assessment of larval survival, morphology, physiology, and behavior.
Available readouts include:
- Larval survival
- Morphological abnormalities
- Heart rate
- Circulation defects
- Swimming behavior
- Response to light/dark stimulation
- Growth and body length measurements
This assay is suitable for evaluating toxic effects that emerge after hatching or during early larval stages.
Sublethal Endpoint Analysis
In addition to acute lethality, our platform provides detailed sublethal toxicity assessment to support more comprehensive aquatic ecotoxicity profiling.
Sublethal endpoints may include:
- Heart rate alteration
- Pericardial edema
- Yolk sac edema
- Spinal deformation
- Impaired hatching
- Reduced body length
- Abnormal pigmentation
- Locomotor behavior changes
- Developmental retardation
- Organ-specific phenotypic abnormalities, depending on study design
These endpoints help identify early warning signs of environmental toxicity and support mechanistic interpretation.
Customized Environmental Sample Testing
We also provide customized zebrafish-based testing for complex environmental samples and mixtures.
Supported sample types include:
- Surface water
- Industrial wastewater
- Treated effluents
- Agricultural runoff
- Environmental extracts
- Pollutant mixtures
- Nanomaterial suspensions
- Microplastic-associated samples
- Unknown or complex test matrices
Study designs can be adapted based on sample concentration, solubility, turbidity, expected toxicity, and analytical requirements.
Key Endpoints and Readouts
| Category |
Readouts |
| Acute toxicity |
Mortality, survival rate, LC50 |
| Developmental toxicity |
Malformation rate, developmental delay, body length |
| Hatching effects |
Hatching rate, hatching delay |
| Morphology |
Spinal curvature, yolk sac edema, pericardial edema, craniofacial defects |
| Cardiac effects |
Heart rate, heartbeat absence, circulation defects |
| Behavioral effects |
Locomotor activity, light/dark response, abnormal swimming behavior |
| Dose-response analysis |
Concentration-response curves, LC50, EC50 |
| Threshold values |
NOEC, LOEC, where applicable |
| Documentation |
Representative images, raw data, statistical analysis, final report |
Workflow
Applications
Zebrafish aquatic ecotoxicity testing can assist a wide range of environmental safety and product development applications.
Chemical and product safety screening
Assess aquatic toxicity hazards of industrial chemicals, agrochemicals, medicinal drugs, cosmetic compounds, nanomaterials and novel materials.
Environmental sample assessment
Test wastewater, effluent, surface water, agricultural runoff, environmental extracts, and pollutant mixes for biological toxicity.
Support for risk ranking and follow-up study
Compare toxicity profiles and rank candidate compounds/samples, offering data support for additional environmental safety investigations.
Why Choose Our Zebrafish Platform
Sensitive In Vivo Model
The zebrafish model allows the detection of lethal and sublethal effects, including developmental, cardiac, morphological and behavioral changes.
Multiple endpoint evaluation
In our assays, there is more than one mortality outcome. We can combine endpoints such as survival, hatching, malformation, heart rate, morphology and behavior.
Small Sample Requirement
Zebrafish embryo and larval assays typically require smaller quantities of test material compared with many traditional vertebrate toxicity studies.
Customizable Study Design
The assays can be designed for varied sample types, exposure times, concentration ranges and data needs.
FAQ
What is zebrafish aquatic ecotoxicity test?
Aquatic ecotoxicity testing with zebrafish is performed using zebrafish embryos or larvae to assess the possible hazardous effects of chemicals, environmental contaminants, water samples, or other chemicals on aquatic organisms. It can measure mortality and hatching and development and morphology and heart function and behavior.
Can the assay follow OECD 236 FET test principles?
Yes. Fish embryo acute toxicity studies can be designed with reference to OECD 236 FET test principles where applicable. Details of the study design can be customized based on your sample type, goals, and reporting needs.
What kind of samples can be tested?
Industrial chemicals, agrochemicals, medicines, cosmetic compounds, nanomaterials, waste water, effluents, surface water, environmental extracts and chemical combinations can be tested.
What endpoints can be measured?
Common endpoints include mortality, survival rate, hatching rate, hatching delay, malformation rate, developmental delay, body length, heart rate, oedema, spine curvature, pigmentation abnormalities and locomotor behavior.
What information is in the final report?
The final report may comprise raw data, statistical analysis, representative photos, dose response curves, LC50, EC50, NOEC, LOEC, endpoint summaries and interpretation of toxicity results.
CTA
Need to evaluate the aquatic ecotoxicity of your compound or environmental sample?
Our zebrafish platform provides rapid, sensitive, and customizable ecotoxicity assays to support chemical screening, pollutant assessment, wastewater monitoring, and environmental safety studies.
Contact us to design a zebrafish-based aquatic ecotoxicity assay tailored to your testing goals.
For research use only. Not intended for any clinical use.
24x7 CUSTOMER SERVICE
CONTACT US TO ORDER
