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Medaka
Oryzias latipes
Animalia›Chordata›Actinopterygii
📍 Japan
A small, resilient ricefish from East Asia that has been kept in captivity for centuries, available in wild olive-grey coloring as well as a wide range of selectively bred color and fin forms (orange, white, black, hikari). Hardy enough to tolerate a wide temperature range (60–86°F) including outdoor ponds, it is peaceful and easy to breed, and especially popular in Japanese aquarium culture.
Care Guide
Diet
Medaka are omnivorous and accept high-quality flake foods, micro pellets, and small frozen foods like brine shrimp and daphnia. Feed small amounts once daily, only what they can consume in 2-3 minutes. They will also graze on algae and small aquatic organisms in planted tanks.
Behavior
Medaka are peaceful, schooling fish that prefer to swim in groups of 6 or more. They are active during daylight hours and relatively hardy, tolerating both still and gentle current environments. They are non-aggressive toward other small fish and make excellent community tank inhabitants.
Breeding
Medaka are prolific and easy to breed in captivity, making them popular for hobbyists and research. Breeding occurs readily in established tanks with plants; females lay adhesive eggs on vegetation daily. Fry are large enough to accept powdered fry food or infusoria immediately upon hatching.
Tank Mates
Similar size, peaceful temperament, and compatible water parameters make them ideal companions
Small, peaceful schooling fish with identical water temperature and care requirements
Peaceful invertebrate that shares similar water conditions; medaka may occasionally eat shrimplets
Small, peaceful algae-eating fish that thrive in the same cool to moderate temperatures
Foreground plant that provides spawning substrate and shelter for medaka fry
Peaceful algae-eater that won't compete with medaka and helps maintain tank cleanliness
Common Diseases
Ich (Ichthyophthirius multifiliis)
White spots on body and fins, flashing against objects, labored breathing
Raise temperature gradually to 28-30°C, perform daily water changes, use aquarium salt (1 tsp per gallon) or commercial ich treatment; medaka tolerate heat well
Fin Rot
Frayed or deteriorating fins, discoloration at fin edges, lethargy
Improve water quality with frequent water changes, reduce stocking density, use antibacterial medication if severe; medaka are hardy and recover well with clean water
Bacterial Infection
Open sores, cloudy eyes, loss of appetite, color fading
Perform 25-50% water changes daily, maintain excellent water quality, use broad-spectrum antibiotic treatment if condition worsens
Parasitic Infection
Excessive scratching, visible parasites, weight loss, clamped fins
Quarantine affected fish, treat with antiparasitic medication, maintain pristine water conditions; medaka respond well to treatment
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Varieties
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