Zebrafish are commonly used as experimental animals in otolaryngology studies. However, the behavioral characteristics of these fish are not well known, especially those related to the vestibular system. The goal of this study was to evaluate behavioral changes in zebrafish due to toxicity in the balance system.

Zebrafish were exposed to 1000 μM cisplatin for 6 h. We, then, periodically monitored swimming depth, total swimming distance, peak swimming velocity, and mean swimming velocity of the fish for approximately 21 days.

Total swimming distance (p < 0.0001), peak swimming velocity (p = 0.0063), and mean swimming velocity (p < 0.0001) in the cisplatin-administered group were significantly decreased when compared with control fish.

Our findings demonstrate that cisplatin can alter the locomotion behavior of zebrafish.