Introduction: Locomotion is a very important behaviour exhibited by animals for foraging, survival, escaping from predators, etc. The locomotory behaviour of zebrafish is extensively used as a reliable behavioural marker in the area of ecotoxicological, pharmacological, and neurotoxicological research. The locomotory robustness and high sensitivity to any external stimuli of zebrafish make them a convincing model with which to study cognitive biology. The aim of our research is to study the decision-making ability of adult zebrafish from the perspective of foraging.

Methods: In order to obtain a crucial understanding of the decision-making skills of adult zebrafish (Danio rerio) for food search, we have created an experimental model system that focuses on the fundamental idea of foraging and the possibility of finding the quickest or simplest path to a food source. The model consists of a common zone and four different pathways (Path A, B, C, and D). Among them, the first one (Path A) is straight, the second (Path B) is curved and is simpler the third path (Path C) is blocked, and is the simplest path, and the fourth one (Path D) is the most complicated pathway.

Results: Our findings indicate that the majority of fish selected Path C to reach the food source, despite this route being obstructed. This observation suggests that the fish preferentially chose Path C because it represents the most direct and accessible route to the food source, and its comparatively greater width may facilitate easier navigation relative to the other available paths.

Conclusions: Adult zebrafish demonstrated a preference for the most direct and seemingly simple route to the food source, even when obstructed. In our study, we highlight zebrafish as a "species in the spotlight", and provide an exmple of how to better understand their decision-making abilities in terms of locomotor decisiveness.