How difficult is it to keep Transparent-Scale Medaka?

Beginner. This is a beginner-friendly species. No special equipment or experience is required, and it can be kept successfully with basic care setup.

What is the ideal temperature for Transparent-Scale Medaka?

The ideal temperature for Transparent-Scale Medaka is 18〜28℃. Avoid sudden temperature changes and maintain a stable environment.

What is the lifespan of Transparent-Scale Medaka?

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

How large does Transparent-Scale Medaka get?

Transparent-Scale 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 Transparent-Scale Medaka?

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

What is the typical price for Transparent-Scale Medaka?

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

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Transparent-Scale Medaka

Beginner

Oryzias latipes

An improved medaka whose gill covers lack iridophores, so the red of the blood shows through and the cheeks appear red. The trait also makes the body slightly translucent, adds colour to the fins and causes patches of colour to drop out. Classification rests on the red cheeks, with one-cheek and no-cheek forms recorded as sub-categories.

Difficulty

Beginner

Temperature

18〜28℃

Lifespan

2-3 years

Size

Up to about 4cm SL

Diet

Prepared medaka food, green water

About

Transparent scale is the trait in which the gill covers, the cheeks of the fish, turn red. Iridophores are missing there, so the gills show through and the red of the blood is visible. The Medaka Web Encyclopedia lists it as scale trait 11, explained in line with the Japan Medaka Association classification manual. The trait does more than redden the cheeks: it also makes the body slightly translucent, puts colour into the fins and causes patches of colour to drop out. Because red cheeks are the principal feature, however, classification takes them as the criterion. Two sub-categories are recognised: transparent scale on one cheek only, and transparent scale without red cheeks at all. Wild-type fish without the trait are called normal-scaled, while red-and-white or tricolour fish that lack the trait are called non-transparent-scaled. The effect on varieties is clear in youkihi transparent-scale, bred in 2008 by Masaki Komiya from youkihi crossed with a transparent-scale medaka, where the vermilion deepened, patches of colour dropped out to leave a red-and-white fish, and the tail fin took on colour.

Source: Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Lifespan of the Transparent-Scale Medaka

The Transparent-Scale Medaka lives 2-3 years.

Size of the Transparent-Scale Medaka

The Transparent-Scale Medaka grows to Up to about 4cm SL.

Temperature & humidity for the Transparent-Scale Medaka

The ideal temperature for the Transparent-Scale Medaka is 18〜28℃.

Basic Info

Origin

Japan (a scale trait defined in the Japan Medaka Association classification manual)

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: Transparent scale

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

Transparent scaleTransparent scale (one cheek)Transparent scale (no red cheeks)Semi-transparent scale (aurora)

Sources: Japan Medaka Association: Variety Classification Manual, 5th ed. (Sep 2025) / Medaka Web Encyclopedia: Medaka Traits / Medaka Web Encyclopedia: Transparent scale / Japan Medaka Association: Variety Classification Manual

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

Taxonomy & Authority

Accepted name: Oryzias latipes (Temminck & Schlegel, 1846)

Authority databases: FishBase · GBIF · Medaka Web Encyclopedia: Transparent scale · Japan Medaka Association: Variety Classification Manual

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.