Neurochemical profiling of dopaminergic neurons in the forebrain of a cichlid fish, Astatotilapia burtoni

► Neural homologs of dopamine cell groups between mammals and teleosts are unknown. ► We profiled expression of etv5, nr4a2, and pitx3 in the adult cichlid brain. ► Telencephalic dopamine cells differ in gene expression profiles from those in the diencephalon. ► Striking similarities between mammals and teleosts are found.