Hardware description

Below we provide a description of the setups in use in the lab together with a full list of components that can be used to assemble them.

Two configurations of our setups are described: the first one is for detailed kinematic tracking of eyes and tail in a fish with head restrained in agarose, the second for tracking freely swimming fish in a petri dish.

Finally, we present a cheap version of the behavioral setup that can be easily built for about 700 euros, and easily assembled using cardboard, laser-cut parts or other custom-made enclosures.

Head-restrained fish setup

This configuration requires high magnification, provided by a 50 mm macro objective. On the other side, illumination be provided only in a very small field and can be accomplished by with a simple single IR-LED.

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Freely swimming fish setup

This configuration uses a camera with larger field of view and a custom-built LED box for illuminating homogeneously a large area.

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List of components

Below we provide a list of all components required for building the two setups. Indicative prices in euros (Jul 2018) and links to supplier pages are provided as well.

Note

Many parts of the setup, such as the base, the stage and the holders can easily be replaced with custom solutions.

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Head-restrained setup

Components for embedded configuration behavioral setup
  Component Manufacturer Part No Specs Amount Price (euros) Link Notes Replacement
Breadbord                  
1.1 Aluminum breadbord Thorlabs MB3045/M   1 170 https://www.thorlabs.com/thorproduct.cfm?partnumber=MB3045/M    
1.2 Feet Thorlabs AV4/M   1 20.86 https://www.thorlabs.com/newgrouppage9.cfm?objectgroup_id=6421    
Rail                  
2.1 Construction rail Thorlabs XT66-750   1 80 https://www.thorlabs.com/thorProduct.cfm?partNumber=XT66-750    
2.2 Construction rail mount Thorlabs XT66P1   1 32.25 https://www.thorlabs.com/thorproduct.cfm?partnumber=XT66P1    
2.3 Rail carriage Thorlabs XT66P2/M   2 62.25 https://www.thorlabs.com/thorproduct.cfm?partnumber=XT66P2/M    
2.4 Post holder Thorlabs PH20/M   2 6.33 https://www.thorlabs.com/thorproduct.cfm?partnumber=PH20/M    
Stage                  
3.1 Post Thorlabs TR250/M   4 8.12 https://www.thorlabs.com/thorproduct.cfm?partnumber=TR250/M can be smaller for embedded prep  
3.2 Post holder Thorlabs PH75/M   4 7.44 https://www.thorlabs.com/thorproduct.cfm?partnumber=PH75/M#ad-image-0    
3.3 Acrilic stage custom 133555   1 10 https://www.modulor.de/acrylglas-gs-transparent-farblos-6-00-x-250-x-500-mm.html    
3.4 Screen custom              
Projector                  
4.1 Projector Asus P3E   1 534 https://www.asus.com/us/Projectors/P3E/    
4.2 Display cable (HDMI) Any              
4.3 Post Thorlabs TR40/M   1 4.52 https://www.thorlabs.com/thorproduct.cfm?partnumber=TR40/M    
4.4 Post holder Thorlabs PH40/M   1 6.56 https://www.thorlabs.com/thorproduct.cfm?partnumber=PH40/M#ad-image-0    
Camera                  
5.1 Camera Ximea MQ013MG-ON Python 1300 1 580 https://www.ximea.com/products/usb3-vision-cameras-xiq-line/mq013mg-on   PointGrey Blackfly S Mono 0.4 MP USB3 Vision (Sony IMX287) https://eu.ptgrey.com/blackfly-s-mono-04-mp-usb3-vision-sony-imx287
5.2 Camera cable e.g. Ximea CBL-U3-3M0 USB 3, 3m passive 1 17 https://www.ximea.com/en/products/usb3-vision-compliant-cameras-xiq/xiq-usb-30-accessories/1-m-usb-30-passive-cable    
5.3 Camera holder custom     1 0      
5.4 Post Thorlabs TR75/M   1 4.93 https://www.thorlabs.com/thorproduct.cfm?partnumber=TR75/M    
5.5b Camera objective Navitar TC.5028 C mount 1 590 https://navitar.com/products/imaging-optics/telecentric/video-telecentric/    
IR filter                  
6.1 Post Thorlabs TR75/M   1 4.93 https://www.thorlabs.com/thorproduct.cfm?partnumber=TR75/M    
6.2 Lens mount Thorlabs LMR2/M   1 23 https://www.thorlabs.com/thorproduct.cfm?partnumber=LMR2/M    
6.3 IR filter Edmund Optics 66-106 830 nm LP 1 69 https://www.edmundoptics.de/optics/optical-filters/longpass-edge-filters/rg-830-50mm-dia.-longpass-filter/    
Illumination                  
7.1 Power supply Conrad ESPS-1500 Voltcraft 1 15 https://www.conrad.com/ce/en/product/1380523/Mains-PSU-adjustable-voltage—–VOLTCRAFT—–ESPS-1500—–3-Vdc-45-Vdc-5-Vdc    
7.2b Post Thorlabs TR150/M   1 8.12 https://www.thorlabs.com/thorproduct.cfm?partnumber=TR150/M    
7.3b Post Thorlabs TR50/M   2 8.12 https://www.thorlabs.com/thorproduct.cfm?partnumber=TR50/M    
7.4b Post holder Thorlabs PH40/M   1 6.56 https://www.thorlabs.com/thorproduct.cfm?partnumber=PH40/M#ad-image-0    
7.5b Right-angle clamp Thorlabs RA90/M   2 8.87 https://www.thorlabs.com/thorProduct.cfm?partNumber=RA90/M    
7.6b Lens mount Thorlabs LMR2/M   1 23 https://www.thorlabs.com/thorproduct.cfm?partnumber=LMR2/M    
7.7b cold mirror Edmund Optics #64-450   1 75 https://www.edmundoptics.de/optics/optical-mirrors/hot-cold-mirrors/45deg-aoi-50.0mm-diameter-cold-mirror/    
7.8b LED holder Thorlabs SMR1/M   1 17 https://www.thorlabs.com/thorproduct.cfm?partnumber=SMR1/M    
7.9b Cap for LED Thorlabs SM1CP2M   1 16 https://www.thorlabs.com/thorproduct.cfm?partnumber=SM1CP2M machined to accomodate wires  
7.10b high power LED RS Components e.g. 796-1772 850 nm LED 1 10 https://de.rs-online.com/web/p/led-ir/7961772/ max 1 A power LED-tech , Osram Black 850 nm (LT-2418) (https://www.led-tech.de/de/OSRAM-Black-Series-850nm-auf-Star)
7.11b LED pad LED-tech LT-2418   10 0.4 https://www.led-tech.de/de/Waermeleitklebepad-fuer-16mm-Star    
7.12b buck pack Digikey RCD-24-1.00/W/X3   1 22 https://www.digikey.com/product-detail/en/recom-power/RCD-24-1.00-W-X3/945-1131-ND/2256311 buck pack that has max 1 A power wired and dimmable using PWM and/or analogue in
          Total 2586      

Freely-swimming setup

Components for freely swimming configuration behavioral setup
  Component Manufacturer Part No. Specs Amount Price (euros) Link Notes Replacement
Breadbord                  
1.1 Aluminum breadbord Thorlabs MB3045/M   1 170 https://www.thorlabs.com/thorproduct.cfm?partnumber=MB3045/M    
1.2 Feet Thorlabs AV4/M   1 20.86 https://www.thorlabs.com/newgrouppage9.cfm?objectgroup_id=6421    
Rail                  
2.1 Construction rail Thorlabs XT66-750   1 80 https://www.thorlabs.com/thorProduct.cfm?partNumber=XT66-750    
2.2 Construction rail mount Thorlabs XT66P1   1 32.25 https://www.thorlabs.com/thorproduct.cfm?partnumber=XT66P1    
2.3 Rail carriage Thorlabs XT66P2/M   2 62.25 https://www.thorlabs.com/thorproduct.cfm?partnumber=XT66P2/M    
2.4 Post holder Thorlabs PH20/M   2 6.33 https://www.thorlabs.com/thorproduct.cfm?partnumber=PH20/M    
Stage                  
3.1 Post Thorlabs TR250/M   4 8.12 https://www.thorlabs.com/thorproduct.cfm?partnumber=TR250/M    
3.2 Post holder Thorlabs PH75/M   4 7.44 https://www.thorlabs.com/thorproduct.cfm?partnumber=PH75/M#ad-image-0    
3.3 Acrilic stage custom     1 10 https://www.modulor.de/acrylglas-gs-transparent-farblos-6-00-x-250-x-500-mm.html From item n. 0133555 of modulor  
3.4 Screen custom              
Projector                  
4.1 Projector Asus P3E   1 534 https://www.asus.com/us/Projectors/P3E/    
4.2 Display cable (HDMI) Any              
4.3 Post Thorlabs TR40/M   1 4.52 https://www.thorlabs.com/thorproduct.cfm?partnumber=TR40/M    
4.4 Post holder Thorlabs PH40/M   1 6.56 https://www.thorlabs.com/thorproduct.cfm?partnumber=PH40/M#ad-image-0    
Camera                  
5.1 Camera Ximea MQ013MG-ON Python 1300 1 580 https://www.ximea.com/products/usb3-vision-cameras-xiq-line/mq013mg-on   Camera PointGrey Blackfly S Mono 0.4 MP USB3 Vision (Sony IMX287) 305 https://eu.ptgrey.com/blackfly-s-mono-04-mp-usb3-vision-sony-imx287
5.2 Camera cable e.g. Ximea CBL-U3-3M0 USB 3, 3m passive 1 17 https://www.ximea.com/en/products/usb3-vision-compliant-cameras-xiq/xiq-usb-30-accessories/1-m-usb-30-passive-cable    
5.3 Camera holder custom     1 0      
5.4 Post Thorlabs TR75/M   1 4.93 https://www.thorlabs.com/thorproduct.cfm?partnumber=TR75/M    
5.5a Camera lens Edmund Optics 59-872 C mount 35mm 1 295 https://www.edmundoptics.com/imaging-lenses/fixed-focal-length-lenses/35mm-c-series-fixed-focal-length-lens/#specs    
IR filter                  
6.1 Post Thorlabs TR75/M   1 4.93 https://www.thorlabs.com/thorproduct.cfm?partnumber=TR75/M    
6.2 Lens mount Thorlabs LMR2/M   1 23 https://www.thorlabs.com/thorproduct.cfm?partnumber=LMR2/M    
6.3 IR filter Edmund Optics 66-106 830 nm LP 1 69 https://www.edmundoptics.de/optics/optical-filters/longpass-edge-filters/rg-830-50mm-dia.-longpass-filter/    
Illumination                  
7.1 Power supply Conrad ESPS-1500 Voltcraft 1 15 https://www.conrad.com/ce/en/product/1380523/Mains-PSU-adjustable-voltage—–VOLTCRAFT—–ESPS-1500—–3-Vdc-45-Vdc-5-Vdc    
7.2a Post Thorlabs TR50/M   1 8.12 https://www.thorlabs.com/thorproduct.cfm?partnumber=TR50/M    
7.3a Post Thorlabs TR150/M   1 8.12 https://www.thorlabs.com/thorproduct.cfm?partnumber=TR150/M    
7.4a Right-angle clamp Thorlabs RA90/M   3 8.87 https://www.thorlabs.com/thorProduct.cfm?partNumber=RA90/M    
7.5a Mirror holder Edmund Optics #54-997   1 70 https://www.edmundoptics.com/optomechanics/optical-mounts/optical-filter-mounts/40mm-sq.-fixed-filter-holder/    
7.6a Cold mirror Edmund Optics #62-633   1 20 https://www.edmundoptics.com/optics/optical-mirrors/hot-cold-mirrors/45deg-aoi-12.5mm-sq-cold-mirror/    
7.7a LED box custom     1        
          Total 2199      

Low-cost behavioral setup

A very cheap version of the behavioral setup can be built by replacing the projector with small LED display and the camera lens with a fixed focal length objective. The dimensions of this setup are quite small and parts can be kept in place with a basic custom-made frame that can be laser-cut or even made out of cardboard.

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