We describe the identification of Mauthner (M –) cell action potentials in an intact zebrafish larva, utilizing recording electrodes located outside the fish:

  1. The externally recorded spike occurs at approximately the same time, and its waveform changes with recording site in the same way, as the extracellular M-spike recorded within the central nervous system.

  2. The externally recorded M-spike may be readily distinguished from other forms of neural activity.

  3. The M-spike can be identified in recordings from unrestrained larvae.

This finding permits the direct study of M-cell function in the freely behaving animal.

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