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Red Cliff Medaka
AdvancedOryzias latipes
An improved medaka with external luminescence over a black-amber body and fins combining the long-fin, wide-fin and fusa-hire traits. Created in 2022 by Masaharu Tarumi; a red-and-white type is derived from it.
Difficulty
Advanced
Temperature
18〜28℃
Lifespan
2-3 years
Size
Up to about 4cm SL
Diet
Prepared medaka food, green water
About
Red Cliff is a line of improved medaka created in 2022 by Masaharu Tarumi; its dark type is registered in the Medaka Web Encyclopedia as type No.0834 and variety No.0803. The classification name of the dark type is the black-amber semi-transparent-scale external-luminescence long-fin wide-fin fusa-hire medaka, with the common note isshukou. The encyclopedia explains that the Red Cliff red-and-white type is derived from the dark type, carries red-and-white colouring and the kissing wide-fin feature, and that red-and-white fish sometimes appear from dark-type stock, confirming they are one line. Long fins are expressed unevenly, with the dark type tending toward them more readily than the red-and-white type. Long fin elongates the rays of the dorsal and anal fins; wide fin, whose first male was found in 2016 by Kenji Yamamoto, broadens the anal and dorsal fins; and fusa-hire splits the rays part way along so they become tufted.
Source: Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Lifespan of the Red Cliff Medaka
The Red Cliff Medaka lives 2-3 years.
Size of the Red Cliff Medaka
The Red Cliff Medaka grows to Up to about 4cm SL.
Temperature & humidity for the Red Cliff Medaka
The ideal temperature for the Red Cliff Medaka is 18〜28℃.
Basic Info
Origin
Japan (domestic variety created in 2022 by Masaharu Tarumi)
Lifespan
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.0834
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.
Line-bredEstablished by selective line breeding.
Wrap-around luminescence (isshukou)
Other
Black-amber body colourSemi-transparent scale (aurora)External luminescence (taigaikou)Long finWide finFusa-hire (tufted fin rays)
Sources: Japan Medaka Association: Variety Classification Manual, 5th ed. (Sep 2025) / Medaka Web Encyclopedia: Medaka Traits / Medaka Web Encyclopedia No.0834
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.0834
- 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: 垂水政治 (2022)
Authority databases: FishBase · GBIF · Medaka Web Encyclopedia No.0834
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.
Red Cliff Medaka Listings
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