How difficult is it to keep Unshu Tricolor 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 Unshu Tricolor Medaka?

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

What is the lifespan of Unshu Tricolor Medaka?

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

How large does Unshu Tricolor Medaka get?

Unshu Tricolor 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 Unshu Tricolor Medaka?

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

What is the typical price for Unshu Tricolor Medaka?

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

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Unshu Tricolor Medaka

Advanced

Oryzias latipes

A tricolour medaka in white and vermilion with mottling, on non-transparent scales. Unlike transparent-scaled tricolours the white areas are not translucent, so they read as a cleaner white. It was created in 2017 by Haruo Nojiri. Its classification name is the white-vermilion mottled medaka, also called the non-transparent-scale tricolour.

Difficulty

Advanced

Temperature

18〜28℃

Lifespan

2-3 years

Size

Up to about 4cm SL

Diet

Prepared medaka food, green water

About

Unshu tricolour is one nickname for the non-transparent-scale tricolour medaka, an improved variety carrying white and vermilion with the mottled trait. Its classification name is the white-vermilion mottled medaka, registered in the Medaka Web Encyclopedia as type No.0171 and variety No.0159, created in 2017 by Haruo Nojiri. It is regarded as the representative non-transparent-scale tricolour: unlike the transparent-scaled version, vermilion and black mottling sit on a white body, and because the white areas are not translucent they read as a cleaner white, which is the mark of the non-transparent-scale tricolours. Non-transparent scale is the term for red-and-white or tricolour fish that lack the transparent-scale trait; where transparent scale leaves the gill covers without iridophores so the cheeks show red, non-transparent-scaled fish have no such feature. Mottling is a pattern trait of black patches whose positions vary between individuals, and it is distinguished from black rim, where black is distributed evenly over the whole body to emphasise the scales. The encyclopedia cites Medaka Hinshu Zukan by Fumitoshi Mori (2018) as its source.

Source: Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Lifespan of the Unshu Tricolor Medaka

The Unshu Tricolor Medaka lives 2-3 years.

Size of the Unshu Tricolor Medaka

The Unshu Tricolor Medaka grows to Up to about 4cm SL.

Temperature & humidity for the Unshu Tricolor Medaka

The ideal temperature for the Unshu Tricolor Medaka is 18〜28℃.

Basic Info

Origin

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.0171 (Unshu tricolour)

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

White body colourVermilion body colourMottled patternNon-transparent scale

Sources: Japan Medaka Association: Variety Classification Manual, 5th ed. (Sep 2025) / Medaka Web Encyclopedia: Medaka Traits / Medaka Web Encyclopedia No.0171 (Unshu tricolour) / Medaka Web Encyclopedia: Black rim

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)

Breeder: 野尻治男 (2017)

Authority databases: FishBase · GBIF · Medaka Web Encyclopedia No.0171 (Unshu tricolour) · Medaka Web Encyclopedia: Transparent scale

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.