Optimization of bacterial colonization in the gut of axenic and conventional zebrafish larvae using live food

. Implementing standardized and optimized bacterial colonization protocols in zebrafish larvae should facilitate the use of this model to study the interactions between the gut microbiota and host physiology.IMPORTANCEZebrafish larvae hold potential as a model for studying gut microbiota. However, standardized protocols for controlling bacterial colonization of the larval zebrafish gut are required. This article presents the analysis of various parameters that led to an effective method for colonizing zebrafish larvae with various bacteria. The proposed detailed protocol enables the qualitative, quantitative, and reproducible observation of bacterial colonization in the zebrafish larvae's gut.