DanioVision - 1 What is DanioVision?
Last updated: Jul 25, 2026
1 What Is DanioVision?
Daniovision
DanioVision™ is a system for high throughput tracking of zebrafish larvae in multi-well plates. It consists of:
The DanioVision Observation Chamber (DVOC-0041)
See Figure 1. This chamber contains a transparent holder with backlight that fits an ANSI SBS compatible multi-well microtiter plate, infrared (IR) and white light sources (underneath the microtiter plate), and a Gigabit Ethernet (GigE Vision) video camera. The optical design provides a stable and undistorted top view of each well and a controlled and constant environment within the observation chamber.
For technical specifications and for cleaning instructions, see System
specifications.
tip You find your DanioVision' version number on
the label at the back of the chamber. Figure 1 The DanioVision Observation Chamber DVOC-0041.
EthoVision® XT
Video-tracking software with the Multiple Arenas Module and Trial & Hardware Control Module. Using Trial & Hardware Control, you can adjust the white light stepwise based on time or behavior of your fish. You have the option to connect external devices, such as sound or shock generators. note DanioVision DVOC-0041 works with EthoVision XT 10.1 or newer.
Daniovision Add-ons
DanioVision Temperature Control Unit
With the DanioVision Temperature Control Unit you can set up a water flow at constant temperature underneath the well-plate. For details, see the Reference Manual - DanioVision Temperature Control Unit DV- TCU.pdf, which you can download from the Noldus website (see page 10).
DanioVision Tapping Device
With the DanioVision Tapping Device you can trigger a startle response
in zebrafish. For details, see The DanioVision Tapping Device in this
manual.
DanioVision Toplight Unit
With this add-on you can generate top-down light stimuli in your experiments. Four types of light are available: white, red, blue and green. For details, see The DanioVision Toplight Unit in this manual.
DanioVision with Optogenetics
DanioVision can be provided with one to three LEDs that illuminate the well plates based on your Trial Control protocol. The Optogenetics add- on allows to accurately control and time the application of optogenetic stimulation to up to 96 individuals simultaneously (one for each well in
a 96-well plate). For details, see The DanioVision Optogenetics add-on
on page 88.
Custom solutions
As research evolves, so do research needs. If you are interested in a custom solution, don't hesitate to contact us! A few recent examples of custom solutions:
Light-Dark Grid. Commonly used to investigate anxiety behavior in
zebrafish. The grid is placed underneath the well plate (available for 6, 12, 24, 48 or 96 wells) and creates a dark and light half in each well. The grid is IR light translucent, leaving the tracking of the zebrafish unaffected.
High-speed camera. DanioVision is equipped with a camera
capable of 1000 frames per second. The aim is to measure the startle response of larvae to a stimulus during a Pre-Pulse Inhibition test (Burgess and Granato 2007).
Split basin. The DanioVision basin has been modified so that it
receives water at two different temperatures. The aim of this solution is to measure temperature preference in zebrafish larvae.
Ultraviolet Toplight Unit. This is a modification of the Toplight unit
(see the previous page), which shines UV light. Light intensity is controlled by EthoVision XT.
Turbo-cooling TCU. This is a modified Temperature Control Unit
which keeps water at a constant temperature of 12° in a room where temperature is about 25°.
For More Information
Manuals
For more information, see The EthoVision XT Help (press F1 in the EthoVision XT). The Reference Manual - Trial and Hardware Control in EthoVision
XT. You can find this manual under Noldus > EthoVision XT 16 Other
Documentation. The Reference Manual - DanioVision Temperature Control Unit DV- TCU. You can find this manual on the Noldus website (my.noldus.com). Note that you have to log in to access the downloads page. You can also find other manuals on the EthoVision XT installation USB stick.
Sample experiments
EthoVision XT download page you can find sample experiments that make use of DanioVision. Browse to my.noldus.com, there under Downloads choose Sample projects, then EthoVision XT.
Experiment templates
EthoVision XT contains templates that help you setting up an experiment with arenas, analysis profiles and other elements already defined. See create a daniovision experiment on page 41.
References
See our web page of selected publications:
Support center
If after reading this manual you still have questions, please contact our Support center at my.noldus.com.
Source: Reference Manual - DanioVision DVOC-0041