Effects of different wavelength from Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) on growth and development in zebrafish (Danio rerio) embryos and larvae

¹ Division of Fisheries Science, The Graduate School of World Fisheries University, Pukyong National University, Busan, Republic of Korea
² Department of Microbiology, College of Natural Science, Pukyong National University, Busan, Republic of Korea

^* Corresponding author: brownchristopher38@gmail.com

Abstract

A light environment in aquatic habitat is one of the essential physical parameters affecting the growth and physiology of fish. To investigate the effects of light on the growth of zebrafish embryos and larvae (Danio rerio), fishes were reared under the illumination of Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) of different wavelengths, including green, red, blue, and white. Morphometric, neuromast staining with 2-[4-(Dimethylamino)styryl]-1-ethylpyridinium iodide (DASPEI) and Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) analyses were used to examine the initial development of sensory capacity in this study. On days 5, 6, and 7, the green light produced the most favorable result. Blue light consistently impacted early parameters such as eye development, egg yolk absorption, and total length. These impacts were synchronous with the initiation of feeding. Exposure to specific wavelengths of light can induce the appearance of gene expression, opn1lw1 detected opsin and (mtnr1ba and aanat2) were active under all four experimental lighting conditions. This retinal gene appears to be sensitive to ambient wavelength, but apparently, genes in the melatonin pathway are not.