Medaka's Latest Varieties 2026 Complete Guide | Bulging Eye, Lame, and Long-Fin New Variety Catalog | ブリちょく
Medaka| ✍️ BreederDirect Editorial
Medaka's Latest Varieties 2026 Complete Guide | Bulging Eye, Lame, and Long-Fin New Variety Catalog
A comprehensive roundup of the most anticipated medaka varieties of 2026 across three categories: bulging eye (swallow), lame (shimmer), and long-fin types. An expert breakdown of each new variety's characteristics, genetic background, price ranges, and where to acquire them.
Key Takeaways
A comprehensive roundup of the most anticipated medaka varieties of 2026 across three categories: bulging eye (swallow), lame (shimmer), and long-fin types. An expert breakdown of each new variety's characteristics, genetic background, price ranges, and where to acquire them.
Understanding the Medaka Breeding Trends of 2026
The medaka world sees new varieties emerge nearly every year, and 2026 is no exception. This season's most anticipated categories are bulging eye (swallow) varieties, lame (shimmer) varieties, and long-fin (satan/celestial fan) types. With increasingly active breeder presence on social media, online breeder-direct platforms have become primary sources for variety information alongside traditional specialty magazines and live markets.
This article organizes 2026's most talked-about new varieties by body type and genetic lineage, while explaining acquisition strategies for each.
Bulging eye medaka express the trait through homozygous bulging eye genes (pt gene). When homozygous, the eyeballs protrude dramatically, creating distinctive aesthetic appeal. The trait does not appear in heterozygotes (one copy only), requiring breeders to exercise meticulous care in managing fixation rates.
2026's Notable Bulging Eye New Varieties
Variety Name
Characteristics
Genetic Background
Reference Price (Pair)
Vermillion Bulging Eye Lame
Scarlet-red body × Bulging eye × Lame triple combination
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Black body with metallic sheen and bulging eyes
Orochi lineage × Bulging eye
¥2,000–5,000
Moonbow Bulging Eye (Gekkou Deme)
Transparent scales × Bulging eye × Back-line glow
Night Sakura lineage × Bulging eye
¥5,000–15,000
Silver Bulging Eye
Silver-white body × Bulging eye long-fin
Silver × Bulging eye × Satan
¥4,000–10,000
Note that bulging eye varieties have slightly elevated husbandry difficulty. The enlarged eye increases vulnerability to physical injury and reduced resistance to infection compared to standard varieties. Single-tank housing or pairing with docile varieties is recommended.
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Lame (Shimmer) Varieties: Latest Releases
The Genetics and "Lame Intensity" Variations
Lame is determined by the distribution density of light-reflective pigments (guanine crystals) in medaka scales. The 2026 trend emphasizes enhanced light-reflective intensity beyond full-body lame and diverse combinations with body colors.
The Fusion of Back-Line Glow × Lame
Varieties combining back-line glow (a glowing stripe along the spine) with lame have gained particular popularity. Back-line glow originates from the Miyuki genetic lineage, and when combined with lame, creates dramatically heightened visual impact.
2026's Notable Lame New Varieties
Variety Name
Characteristics
Special Notes
Jeweled Tricolor Lame
Red, black, and white tricolor × Supreme lame
Some individuals boast 1.5× or greater lame density versus conventional varieties
Sapphire Supreme
Blue-toned body × Deep-sea lame
Shifts blue→purple→green depending on light angle
Radiance Gold (Kouogon) Lame
Golden body × Full lame × Back-line glow
Breeders have established "radiance grade" selection criteria
Dream Phantom Sakura Lame
Sakura transparent scales × Purple-tinged lame
Striking contrast with the transparent scale's belly orange
Nebula Lame
Black body × Silver lame × Micro-point glimmer
Selection lineage specialized for observation in low-light environments
Long-fin varieties encompass several genetic lineages:
Matsui Long-Fin: Genetic trait causing thread-like fin elongation (Matsui lineage)
Satan Type: Dorsal and caudal fins extend dramatically
Celestial Fan (Tennyou Ougi): Distinctive fan-shaped fin configuration
2026's Notable Long-Fin New Varieties
Variety Name
Lineage
Characteristics
Crimson Flame Satan
Matsui long-fin × Scarlet-red body
Crimson fins spreading like flames
White Tiger Celestial Fan
Swallow type
Silver-white body × Transparent scales × Celestial fan fin
Azure Heaven Long-Fin (Hekiten)
Matsui long-fin × Miyuki × Back-line glow
Blue-toned back-line glow × Long tail—a dreamlike pairing
Vermillion-Ink Long-Fin Bulging Eye
Complex trait
Bulging eye × Long-fin × Scarlet-red × Black mosaic
Long-fin varieties exhibit reduced swimming ability and require careful water flow management. Set aeration to minimal levels, and maintain appropriate stocking density to prevent fin damage between individuals.
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2026 New Variety Acquisition Methods
Breeder-Direct Sales Now the Standard
Rare new varieties are most readily and fairly available through breeder-direct sales platforms (such as Br-Choku). Direct acquisition from breeders offers faster access, better pricing, and documented individual histories compared to live market wait lists or resold stock.
Confirming Selection Standards
When purchasing new varieties, verify the following:
Fixation rate information: Since bulging eye and long-fin traits differ in expression between homozygous and heterozygous forms, confirm the fixation rate (proportion of homozygotes) if breeding is planned
Parent photos and video: Direct visual confirmation of parent stock is the most reliable way to assess inherited traits
Husbandry history: Water temperature, feeding regimen, and stocking density provide insights into specimen health status
Complex-trait varieties (bulging eye × long-fin × lame, etc.) are genetically intricate, requiring attention to accumulated inbreeding. Periodically introduce unrelated genetic lines to maintain genetic diversity and ensure long-term quality stability.
Additionally, fixed-line bulging eye and long-fin varieties generally exhibit slightly compromised immune function. Careful treatment protocols during initial acclimation (salt baths and medicated baths) and stress-minimized environments are critical for success.
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Summary
The 2026 medaka breeding landscape advances along two axes: "refined complex trait precision" and "quality enhancement of established varieties." Individual bulging eye, lame, and long-fin categories have reached maturity, and complex-trait combinations are emerging as the new standard.
When pursuing rare varieties, leverage breeder-direct platforms to verify individual provenance and fixation rates before purchase. Building relationships with quality breeders is fundamental to long-term medaka breeding success.
