How difficult is it to keep Pure Black Medaka?

Advanced. This is an advanced-level species. It requires specialized equipment and advanced husbandry skills with precise environmental control.

What is the ideal temperature for Pure Black Medaka?

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

What is the lifespan of Pure Black Medaka?

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

How large does Pure Black Medaka get?

Pure Black 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 Pure Black Medaka?

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

What is the typical price for Pure Black Medaka?

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

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Pure Black Medaka

Advanced

Oryzias latipes

An improved medaka that keeps a black body even in a white container, because the small-eye trait blocks the background response. Created in 2001 by Yukio Oba, it is the earliest black variety; its classification name is the black small-eye medaka and its nickname kurobee.

Difficulty

Advanced

Temperature

18〜28℃

Lifespan

2-3 years

Size

Up to about 4cm SL

Diet

Prepared medaka food, green water

About

Pure black is the nickname for an improved medaka with a black body and the small-eye trait, also known as kurobee. The Medaka Web Encyclopedia registers it as type No.0446; it was created in 2001 by Yukio Oba. It was originally classified as the pure black medaka with the nickname kurobee, but following the classification manual published by the Japan Medaka Association in 2020 it is now recorded as the black small-eye medaka, nicknamed kurobee or pure black medaka. Medaka normally adjust their colour to their surroundings, but pure black cannot read its environment because its pupils are so small, and it holds a black body even in a white tank. The small pupils also make it more delicate than other medaka, and pairings between pure black fish do not often produce truly black offspring. The fixation rate is low and the weak eyesight calls for careful feeding, so even years after its creation the variety is regarded as one for experienced keepers in both husbandry and breeding.

Source: Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Lifespan of the Pure Black Medaka

The Pure Black Medaka lives 2-3 years.

Size of the Pure Black Medaka

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

Temperature & humidity for the Pure Black Medaka

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

Basic Info

Origin

Japan (a domestic variety created in 2001 by Yukio Oba)

Care Specifications

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

PeacefulGroupBreeding: Hard

Sources: Medaka Web Encyclopedia: Complete Medaka Care Guide / FishBase Oryzias latipes / Medaka Web Encyclopedia No.0446 (Kurobee (pure black 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

Black body colourSmall eye

Sources: Japan Medaka Association: Variety Classification Manual, 5th ed. (Sep 2025) / Medaka Web Encyclopedia: Medaka Traits / Medaka Web Encyclopedia No.0446 (Kurobee (pure black medaka)) / Medaka Web Encyclopedia: Small eye

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