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Maihime (Orange Hikari) Medaka
BeginnerOryzias latipes
An orange medaka of the hikari body type with a strong sheen along the back. Orange sits between the yellow and vermilion body colours, and the name was first applied in 2006 to this variety, created by Masaki Komiya.
Difficulty
Beginner
Temperature
18〜28℃
Lifespan
2-3 years
Size
Up to about 4cm SL
Diet
Prepared medaka food, green water
About
Maihime is the nickname for an orange medaka of the hikari body type, classified as the orange hikari medaka. The Medaka Web Encyclopedia registers it as type No.0028, variety No.0026 and fixed variety No.0062, and it also circulates as orange super hikari. Orange is not as red as vermilion but sits between the yellow and vermilion body colours, and the colour name was first used in 2006 when it was given to maihime, created by Masaki Komiya. Maihime is an orange fish with an especially strong sheen along the back, recorded under the sub-category hikari, strong light. The fixation rate for the colour and the heritability of the strong light are both high, so the variety breeds true reliably; on the other hand many fry are born with a bend in the body, and a maihime with everything in order is considered rare. Because the light on the back is strong, the variety suits viewing both from above and from the side.
Source: Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Lifespan of the Maihime (Orange Hikari) Medaka
The Maihime (Orange Hikari) Medaka lives 2-3 years.
Size of the Maihime (Orange Hikari) Medaka
The Maihime (Orange Hikari) Medaka grows to Up to about 4cm SL.
Temperature & humidity for the Maihime (Orange Hikari) Medaka
The ideal temperature for the Maihime (Orange Hikari) Medaka is 18〜28℃.
Basic Info
Origin
Japan (a domestic variety created in 2006 by Masaki Komiya)
Care Specifications
- pH
- 7–8
- Hardness (GH)
- 9–19 dGH
- Water Temp.
- 18–28℃
PeacefulGroupBreeding: Easy
Sources: Medaka Web Encyclopedia: Complete Medaka Care Guide / FishBase Oryzias latipes / Medaka Web Encyclopedia No.0028 (Maihime (orange hikari medaka))
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
Orange body colourHikari body type (strong light)
Sources: Japan Medaka Association: Variety Classification Manual, 5th ed. (Sep 2025) / Medaka Web Encyclopedia: Medaka Traits / Medaka Web Encyclopedia No.0028 (Maihime (orange hikari medaka))
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 No.0028 (Maihime (orange hikari medaka))
- 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)
Breeder: 小宮正城 (2006)
Authority databases: FishBase · GBIF · Medaka Web Encyclopedia No.0028 (Maihime (orange hikari medaka))
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.
Maihime (Orange Hikari) Medaka Listings
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