AI-generated image
Han-Daruma (Semi-Balloon) Medaka
IntermediateOryzias latipes
A body type shorter than the standard form but longer than the daruma form. It is indispensable in producing daruma fish, offsetting their problems with spawning volume and fertility.
Difficulty
Intermediate
Temperature
18〜28℃
Lifespan
2-3 years
Size
Between the standard and daruma body types (standard form up to about 4cm SL)
Diet
Prepared medaka food, green water
About
Han-daruma is one of the body-type classes of improved medaka, defined in the Japan Medaka Association classification manual as a sub-trait of the daruma body type. The daruma form is one in which the spine has partly fused and shortened so the fish is about half the length of the standard form. Han-daruma sits between the two; because the degree of spinal fusion varies, everything between the standard and daruma forms is collectively called han-daruma. Length is divided into roughly six grades including standard, short, han-daruma and daruma, though only three are treated as traits. The daruma form has a low fixation rate, and daruma-to-daruma pairings still produce standard, han-daruma and daruma offspring. Such pairings yield daruma at high probability but give few eggs and many infertile ones, and bringing han-daruma fish into the cross resolves both problems.
Source: Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Lifespan of the Han-Daruma (Semi-Balloon) Medaka
The Han-Daruma (Semi-Balloon) Medaka lives 2-3 years.
Size of the Han-Daruma (Semi-Balloon) Medaka
The Han-Daruma (Semi-Balloon) Medaka grows to Between the standard and daruma body types (standard form up to about 4cm SL).
Temperature & humidity for the Han-Daruma (Semi-Balloon) Medaka
The ideal temperature for the Han-Daruma (Semi-Balloon) Medaka is 18〜28℃.
Basic Info
Origin
Japan (a body-type class rather than a variety; the parent species ranges across Japan, Korea, China and Vietnam)
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: Selecting Good Medaka, Daruma Body Type / Japan Medaka Association: Variety Classification Manual, 5th ed. (Sep 2025)
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
Daruma body typeHan-daruma (semi-balloon) body type
Sources: Japan Medaka Association: Variety Classification Manual, 5th ed. (Sep 2025) / Medaka Web Encyclopedia: Medaka Traits
A curated selection of notable morphs. Inheritance modes are a breeding-planning guide; actual appearance varies with combos.
References & Sources
Edited & verified by: BreederDirect editorial team
The taxonomic, regulatory, and husbandry data on this page are compiled and verified against the authoritative primary sources below.
Primary sources
- Wikipedia
- CITES Appendices (species not listed)
- FishBase (IUCN Red List: Least Concern, assessed 2018)
- Medaka Web Encyclopedia: Complete Medaka Care Guide
- Medaka Web Encyclopedia: Selecting Good Medaka, Daruma Body Type
- Japan Medaka Association: Variety Classification Manual, 5th ed. (Sep 2025)
- Medaka Web Encyclopedia: Medaka Traits
- FishBase
- GBIF
Taxonomy & Authority
Accepted name: Oryzias latipes (Temminck & Schlegel, 1846)
Authority databases: FishBase · GBIF · Japan Medaka Association: Variety Classification Manual, 5th ed. (Sep 2025) · Medaka Web Encyclopedia: Selecting Good Medaka, Daruma Body Type
Nomenclature follows global taxonomic authority databases.
Regulations & Conservation Status
Not CITES-listedIUCN LC · Least Concern
Sources: CITES Appendices (species not listed) / FishBase (IUCN Red List: Least Concern, assessed 2018)
Regulations may change. Always verify the latest information with the relevant authorities.
Han-Daruma (Semi-Balloon) Medaka Listings
Loading latest listingsFind listings for this species
