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White Medaka
BeginnerA medaka with pure white body giving a clean impression. One of the most widely distributed basic varieties.
Difficulty
Beginner
Temperature
5〜30℃（適温20〜28℃）
Lifespan
2-3 years
Size
2-4cm
Diet
Artificial feed, Daphnia
About
Shiro medaka is a white-body variety originating from a natural mutation in wild medaka that reduces melanin pigmentation, and is one of the foundational improved medaka varieties with a history stretching back to the Edo period. It remains one of the most widely distributed basic varieties today. Pure white coloration gives a clean, cool impression. Easy to breed with high juvenile survival rates. Peaceful and community-friendly. Available everywhere from home improvement stores to specialty aquatic shops, and widely used as a parent in improved medaka breeding.
Lifespan of the White Medaka
The White Medaka lives 2-3 years.
Size of the White Medaka
The White Medaka grows to 2-4cm.
Temperature & humidity for the White Medaka
The ideal water temperature for the White Medaka is 18〜24℃.
Extremely hardy and disease-resistant, adapting to 5–30°C and neutral to slightly alkaline water — ideal for beginners.
Basic Info
Origin
Japan
Lifespan
2-3 years
Size
2-4cm
Temperature
5〜30℃（適温20〜28℃）
Care Specifications
- pH
- 7–8
- Hardness (GH)
- 9–19 dGH
- Water Temp.
- 18–24℃
PeacefulGroupBreeding: Easy
Sources: FishBase: Oryzias latipes / Seriously Fish: Oryzias latipes
Captive Breeding
Egg-laying
- Clutch size
- 8〜48
- Incubation temp.
- 28℃
- Incubation days
- 7〜14 days
- Sexual maturity
- 2 mo
Breeding season: Mid-April to late September (wild, Japan); year-round indoors with >13 h photoperiod and water temperature of 20–28 °C
Breeding notes
Females spawn once each morning, briefly carrying the adhesive egg cluster near the vent (8–48 eggs per female per day). Photoperiods below 13 h/day markedly suppress spawning; water temperatures below approximately 15 °C also inhibit reproduction. Incubation takes roughly 7–14 days depending on water temperature; approximately 7 days near the optimum (~28 °C). Shiro Medaka is a white-coloured ornamental line of Oryzias latipes; its reproductive biology is identical to the wild type.
Breeding requires planning, proper husbandry, and responsibility. These figures are general guidelines.
Sources: Leaf et al. (2011) Life-History Characteristics of Japanese Medaka Oryzias latipes — Copeia 2011(4):559-565 / Wangsongsak et al. (2013) Effects of Rearing Density, Salt Concentration, and Incubation Temperature on Japanese Medaka Embryo Development — PMC3698680
Morphs (Varieties)
Selectively bred killifish are trait combinations of body form × body color × pattern × luminescence (internal/external) × scale types (transparent scales) × sparkle × fin morphology and so forth. Published entries include only confirmed traits constituting the given variety, with genetic inheritance patterns provided only for confirmed traits (uncertain cases omitted). Genetic patterns are provided as reference for breeding.
RecessiveVisual only with two copies; one copy = het (carrier).
White body
Sources: JMA Japan Medaka Association — Improved Medaka Variety Classification Manual (JA) / Improved Medaka Web Encyclopedia (medakazukan, JA)
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
- FishBase: Oryzias latipes
- Seriously Fish: Oryzias latipes
- JMA Japan Medaka Association — Improved Medaka Variety Classification Manual (JA)
- Improved Medaka Web Encyclopedia (medakazukan, JA)
- Leaf et al. (2011) Life-History Characteristics of Japanese Medaka Oryzias latipes — Copeia 2011(4):559-565
- Wangsongsak et al. (2013) Effects of Rearing Density, Salt Concentration, and Incubation Temperature on Japanese Medaka Embryo Development — PMC3698680
- Koger et al. (1999) Variations of light and temperature regimes and resulting effects on reproductive parameters in medaka (Oryzias latipes) — PubMed 10529276
- Saito et al. (2025) Medaka initiate courtship and spawning late at night: Insights from field observations — PMC11819472
Taxonomy & Authority
Accepted name: (Temminck & Schlegel, 1846)
Synonyms: Aplocheilus latipes (Temminck & Schlegel, 1846), Poecilia latipes Temminck & Schlegel, 1846, Oryzias latipes latipes (Temminck & Schlegel, 1846)
Authority databases: FishBase · GBIF · Japan Medaka Association — Variety Classification Manual (JA)
Nomenclature follows global taxonomic authority databases.
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