Medaka Purchase Guide | Breed Selection, Where to Buy, and Shipping Tips | ブリちょく
Medaka| ✍️ BreederDirect Editorial
Medaka Purchase Guide | Breed Selection, Where to Buy, and Shipping Tips
Comprehensive guide to key points when purchasing medaka. We introduce popular breed characteristics and price ranges, benefits of purchasing directly from breeders, water temperature management during shipping, and post-arrival acclimation procedures.
Key Takeaways
Comprehensive guide to key points when purchasing medaka. We introduce popular breed characteristics and price ranges, benefits of purchasing directly from breeders, water temperature management during shipping, and post-arrival acclimation procedures.
In recent years, medaka have experienced a breeding boom that has resulted in remarkably diverse varieties. While they are easy to keep, online purchases require careful attention. This guide provides detailed advice on selecting breeds and acclimating your fish, as well as tips for purchasing with future breeding in mind.
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BreederDirect Editorial
The BreederDirect editorial team specializes in care information for animals, covering veterinary care and breeding to deliver beginner-friendly guides.
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Popular Breeds and Price Ranges
Medaka prices vary greatly depending on breed rarity and the completeness of their coloration. As of 2026, the pace of breeding improvements continues, with new varieties appearing each season.
Yohkihi: A classic variety featuring a beautiful scarlet-red color. Approximately 200–500 yen per fish. Recommended for beginners.
Miyu-ki (幹之): Features body-wide iridescence along the back. Full-body individuals are 500–2,000 yen per fish.
Tri-Color Lame: An elegant variety with red, white, and black coloring combined with sparkling luster. 1,000–5,000 yen per fish. Variation between individuals is significant.
Sapphire: A popular variety with brilliant blue-sparkled coloring. 800–3,000 yen per fish.
Black Diamond: Features deep black coloring with sparkling luster. 1,000–4,000 yen per fish.
Yozakura (Night Cherry): Aurora-type multi-colored luster. 500–2,000 yen per fish.
Orochi: Characterized by a solid black body. 300–1,000 yen per fish.
New varieties command high prices immediately after release, but prices tend to stabilize as distribution increases. If you're targeting rare varieties, it's important to build a trusting relationship with breeders.
Benefits of Purchasing Directly from Breeders
There are many benefits to purchasing medaka directly from breeders. The information and peace of mind you can't get at pet shops or retail chains are the greatest strengths of direct breeder transactions.
Clear Lineage: You can see which parents produced the fish and what generation it is. You can assess the stability of the fish's coloration.
Pre-Selected Individuals: Since breeders select before selling, breed characteristics are clearly expressed.
Water Condition Information: You can understand in advance how water quality and pH differ from your home environment.
Breeding Advice: You can directly ask about choosing breeding stock and crossing techniques.
Bulk Purchase Consultation: You can arrange purchases of pairs or trios (1 male, 2 females) for breeding.
At br-choku, our breeder direct sales platform, you can confirm details via message before purchase, so even beginners can buy with confidence.
Water Temperature Management During Shipping
The most important consideration when purchasing medaka online is water temperature management during shipping. Since proper packing methods vary by season, confirm these details with the breeder before purchase.
Ideal Temperature is 18–28°C: Medaka become susceptible to stress and illness outside this range.
Summer Precautions: Shipping in temperatures exceeding 30°C is dangerous. Confirm that ice packs are included and cool shipping is used.
Winter Precautions: Below 10°C, medaka become lethargic, and sudden temperature changes can be fatal. Shipping with heat packs is necessary.
Confirm Delivery Date: Specify a delivery date when you'll be home to ensure there's no delay in receiving.
Choose Morning Delivery: Especially in summer and winter, morning delivery is best to minimize shipping time.
When your medaka arrive, acclimate them carefully using the following steps. Taking your time is key to maximizing survival rates.
Check Arrival and Photograph: Immediately after opening, inspect the fish's condition and take photos for your records.
Temperature Acclimation: Float the bag in the tank for 20–30 minutes.
Water Acclimation: Pour the bag water into a cup and gradually add tank water. Add tank water every 10 minutes over 30–40 minutes.
Transfer Fish Only: Use a net to scoop the medaka into the tank. Do not transfer the bag water.
Skip Feeding on First Day: Starting the next day, feed small amounts, gradually increasing to normal portions by day three.
Tip: Observe your fish twice daily for the first week. Early intervention is possible if any problems arise. Following quarantine and isolation basics, it's ideal to keep new medaka in a separate tank from existing fish.
Tips for Purchasing with Future Breeding in Mind
Breeding is one of the joys of keeping medaka. Here are key points for purchasing with future breeding in mind.
Purchase Trios Instead of Pairs: A set of 1 male and 2 females provides the best breeding efficiency.
Choose Young Fish: Fish 3–6 months old have the highest breeding potential.
Obtain Bloodlines from Different Breeders: To prevent inbreeding, acquire individuals from different lines as well.
Check Parent Phenotype: For multi-colored varieties like Tri-Color Lame, parent phenotype affects offspring, so check photos of the breeding stock.
Early Spring is Best for Purchase: Introducing fish in April–May allows them to enter breeding season in summer of that year.
Breeders have the most detailed information about breed phenotype and genetics. Ask thorough questions before purchase and plan your breeding strategy.
Avoiding Mistakes in Breed Selection
When selecting goldfish breeds, it's important to consider compatibility with your tank environment, not just aesthetics. Beginners should start with hardy, easy-to-keep varieties (Wakin, Comet, and Shubunkin), which will naturally teach you goldfish-keeping fundamentals. After gaining some experience, it's best to step up to more delicate varieties like Ryukin and Ranchu.
Also, mixing breeds with different body types (such as Wakin and Ryukin) in the same tank can result in faster swimmers monopolizing food, so it's best to keep breeds of the same body type group together. A tank size of 60 cm or larger is recommended, with 10–20 liters of water per fish.
Pre-Purchase Checklist Summary
When purchasing goldfish, confirm the following points.
Checklist Item
Good Condition
Conditions to Avoid
Swimming
Active and stable
Floating, sinking, or tilted
Body Surface
Shiny and clean
White spots, redness, cotton-like growths
Fins
Fully extended
Torn, melted, or reddened
Gills
Moving evenly on both sides
Moving on only one side, rapid breathing
Appetite
Responds to food
Uninterested, refuses to eat
Also check the overall condition of the seller's tank. Fish from tanks with cloudy water or dead fish may already be diseased.
At br-choku, carefully selected individuals from medaka-specialist breeders throughout the country are listed. You can easily search by breed and check breeder reviews, and you can directly consult on bloodline information and breeding advice via our messaging feature. Escrow payment ensures safe transactions, and we handle any DOA (dead on arrival) cases. If you're considering purchasing medaka, please use br-choku.
