The Charm and Variety Guide of Glitter Medaka | Tri-color, Red-and-White, and Mikino Glitter Medaka

Glitter medaka are a group of varieties featuring a shimmering glitter effect (a variation of iridophores) on their scales, and have become a leading category in the recent medaka boom. When glitter medaka swim under sunlight, they shimmer like jewels, and their beauty is especially showcased when viewed from above—the "top view" perspective. This article explains the main glitter medaka varieties and key breeding tips.

What is Glitter?

Glitter refers to the shimmering luster that appears on medaka scales. It is created when iridophores normally found in scales undergo a mutation and proliferate, causing them to strongly reflect light. The color of glitter varies mainly among silver, gold, blue, green, and multicolor, depending on the variety.

The amount of glitter varies greatly among individuals, and fish with glitter densely covering their entire body are called "full-body glitter" and are particularly highly valued. Glitter quality comes in two types: "granular glitter" (fine, particle-like glitter) and "block glitter" (large, surface-like glitter), with preferences varying.

How to View Glitter Medaka

There are two popular ways to appreciate glitter medaka: the "top view," where you look down into the tank, and the "side view," where you observe through the glass from the side. The top view makes it easy to grasp the glitter's radiance, body luster, and pattern spread at a glance, and is cherished as the viewing method that best brings out the charm of glitter medaka. In the side view, you can enjoy the overall form of the swimming fish and the movement of the fins. Since the radiance of the glitter changes depending on the angle and how light falls on the same individual, we recommend observing from multiple angles before purchase.

Popular Glitter Varieties

• Tri-color Glitter (Red, White, and Black + Glitter): A vibrant variety featuring the red, white, and black three-color pattern of koi, enhanced with glitter. Individuals with balanced tri-color distribution and abundant glitter receive exceptionally high praise. Since the pattern differs for each individual, the appeal lies in enjoying a "pattern unique in the world."
• Red-and-White Glitter: A variety with glitter added to red and white coloration. With a simplified color scheme derived from tri-color glitter by removing black, individuals with sharply defined red-and-white boundaries are considered superior. It possesses a distinctly Japanese aesthetic reminiscent of the sarasa pattern seen in goldfish.
• Mikino Glitter: A variety combining glitter with the famous Mikino medaka known for their metallic body luster. When the metallic luster on the back combines with the glitter, the entire body gleams with an overwhelming presence. Individuals with full-body body luster paired with full-body glitter represent the highest tier.
• Sapphire Glitter: A variety with blue to purple glitter scattered across a black body, possessing a fantastical appearance like stars in the night sky. When raised in a black container, the glitter becomes even more striking.
• Night Cherry Glitter: A variety where purple to pink coloration and glitter combine with aurora-type semi-transparent scales. The beauty lies in the contrast between the unique translucent body color and the glitter, and it enjoys popularity among women as well.

How to Select Good Individuals

When purchasing glitter medaka, check the following points:

• Amount of Glitter: Select individuals with as much glitter as possible covering their entire body. However, young individuals may have little glitter, which often increases with growth.
• Uniformity of Glitter: Individuals with glitter distributed uniformly across the entire body have better appearance than those with glitter concentrated only on certain parts.
• Body Shape: While glitter captures attention, good body shape is also important. Avoid individuals with curved spines or those that are extremely thin.
• Pattern Balance in Tri-color Cases: Individuals with good balance among red, white, and black, where each color appears distinctly, receive high ratings.
• Method of Observing Light: Confirming individuals not only under indoor lighting but also, if possible, in natural light makes it easier to accurately judge how the glitter is distributed.
• Confirmation of Growth Stage: Since glitter changes with growth, rather than judging fry, confirming individuals closer to adulthood makes it easier to envision their future radiance.

Breeding Tips

The basic breeding method for glitter medaka is the same as for standard medaka, but there are tips for bringing out the beauty of the glitter.

• Container Color: Glitter appears most striking when raised in a black container. The protective coloration response darkens body color, intensifying the contrast with the glitter. In a white container, body color becomes lighter and glitter becomes less noticeable.
• Sunlight: The radiance of glitter under natural light is difficult to replicate with artificial lighting, so outdoor breeding brings out the charm of glitter medaka to the fullest.
• Water Quality: As with standard medaka breeding, slightly acidic to neutral water quality poses no problems. Weekly water changes of approximately one-third of the total volume are recommended.
• Notes on Breeding: While glitter amount is hereditary, individual variation is large, and offspring with less glitter can be born from parents with abundant glitter. Pairing individuals with abundant glitter together increases the likelihood of obtaining a next generation with abundant glitter.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Is glitter present from birth?: At the fry stage, many individuals show little visible glitter, with a tendency for it to gradually increase and become more noticeable as they grow. Even if glitter appears sparse at the time of purchase, brilliance may increase once the fish reaches adulthood.
• Does the glitter distribution differ between males and females?: Individual variation is large, and it cannot be generalized by sex alone. Even siblings from the same parents show variation in glitter amount and granule size.
• Is it okay to keep them with other medaka?: Cohabitation with other medaka varieties in the same environment is possible in itself, but if breeding is a consideration, managing separate tanks by variety makes it easier to achieve desired pairings.

Find the Finest Glitter Medaka on BreederDirect

BreederDirect allows you to purchase glitter medaka directly from breeders passionate about improving them. Since you can directly hear from breeders about their bloodlines and dedication, you can make confident individual selections. For the radiance of glitter that is difficult to convey through photos alone, you can confirm details directly with the breeder.