A non-human species that has been widely studied
in the laboratory for helping scientists understanding
the biological processes is called a ‘model organism’.
Their inherent characteristics include easy maintenance,
anatomical and physiological similarities to humans,
high reproductive rate and large offspring number, and
a short generation time (the time period from birth to
reproduction). Among the fishes, zebra fish (Danio rerio)
is widely accepted globally as a model organism for
research in freshwater providing valuable insights into
cell, tissue, organ, and system level. However, for studies
involving marine and brackish waters, it is not advisable
to superimpose the cues obtained from freshwater
model organism, which necessitates the use of a species
with marked euryhaline characteristics. Oryzias dancena
(Hamilton, 1822), with tolerance to varying salinities,
are small and easy to bred, and are capable of being
maintained in large numbers; therefore offers as an
excellent alternate fish model organism for experiments
in marine systems
