How difficult is it to keep Black Swallow Medaka?

Intermediate. This is an intermediate-level species. Some prior experience and knowledge of environmental management are recommended.

What is the ideal temperature for Black Swallow Medaka?

The ideal temperature for Black Swallow Medaka is 18〜28℃. Avoid sudden temperature changes and maintain a stable environment.

What is the lifespan of Black Swallow Medaka?

The average lifespan of Black Swallow Medaka is 2-3 years. With proper care and nutrition, they can live a long and healthy life.

How large does Black Swallow Medaka get?

Black Swallow Medaka typically reaches Up to about 4cm SL as an adult. Size may vary depending on care conditions and individual genetics.

What should I feed Black Swallow Medaka?

Black Swallow Medaka feeds on: Prepared medaka food, green water. Aim for a balanced diet with appropriate feeding frequency.

What is the typical price for Black Swallow Medaka?

The price of Black Swallow Medaka varies significantly depending on morph, size, and lineage. Check our market price page for the latest pricing information.

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Black Swallow Medaka

Intermediate

Oryzias latipes

An improved medaka with a black body and the swallow fin trait, combining a colour that does not fade with the background and the extended fin rays typical of swallow. It was created in 2015 by Yukio Oba, and the standard body type is called kagetora.

Difficulty

Intermediate

Temperature

18〜28℃

Lifespan

2-3 years

Size

Up to about 4cm SL

Diet

Prepared medaka food, green water

About

Black swallow is an improved medaka with a black body and the swallow fin trait, recorded with the common note that it does not respond to the background. The Medaka Web Encyclopedia registers it as type No.0322, variety No.0307 and fixed variety No.0109; it was created in 2015 by Yukio Oba. It carries the swallow fins into the popular black colour, and the ink-painting effect of a black fish against a white ground is regarded as its appeal, while the swallow trait also lends elegance to its swimming. Each body type has its own nickname: the standard type is kagetora, the hikari type kenshin, the daruma type torachiyo and the hikari-daruma type bishamonten. Kenshin, the hikari form, is also certified new variety No.23 of the Japan Medaka Association (2016, Yukio Oba). Because the black does not respond to the background, the fish does not turn grey when moved to a white container, which distinguishes it from background-responsive black varieties.

Source: Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Lifespan of the Black Swallow Medaka

The Black Swallow Medaka lives 2-3 years.

Size of the Black Swallow Medaka

The Black Swallow Medaka grows to Up to about 4cm SL.

Temperature & humidity for the Black Swallow Medaka

The ideal temperature for the Black Swallow Medaka is 18〜28℃.

Basic Info

Origin

Japan (a domestic variety created in 2015 by Yukio Oba)

Lifespan

Care Specifications

pH: 7–8
Hardness (GH): 9–19 dGH
Water Temp.: 18–28℃

PeacefulGroupBreeding: Moderate

Sources: Medaka Web Encyclopedia: Complete Medaka Care Guide / FishBase Oryzias latipes / Medaka Web Encyclopedia No.0322 (Kagetora)

Morphs (Varieties)

The Japan Medaka Association's classification manual sorts varieties by traits that can be seen rather than by genotype, and does not set out how individual traits are inherited. Traits the manual explicitly says can be passed on and produced by selective, multi-generation breeding are listed as line-bred; the rest are grouped under Other.

Other

Black body colourSwallowHikari body type (kenshin)Daruma body type (torachiyo)

Sources: Japan Medaka Association: Variety Classification Manual, 5th ed. (Sep 2025) / Medaka Web Encyclopedia: Medaka Traits / Medaka Web Encyclopedia No.0322 (Kagetora) / Medaka Web Encyclopedia: Swallow

A curated selection of notable morphs. Inheritance modes are a breeding-planning guide; actual appearance varies with combos.