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Zuihou Medaka
AdvancedOrange-red body with glitter and elongated swallow-type fins. Graceful swimming reminiscent of a phoenix. Extremely high ornamental value.
Difficulty
Advanced
Temperature
10〜30℃
Lifespan
2-3 years
Size
3-4cm
Diet
Medaka pellets, daphnia
About
Zuihou medaka is an improved variety combining a vermilion-red body bearing lame with the long-finned swallow body type. The showy elements of vermilion, lame, and long fins layer together, and its graceful swimming is said to evoke the legendary phoenix (houou), giving rise to the name; it is a highly prized variety with exceptional display value. Roughly 3–4 cm. Carrying multiple traits, fixing and maintaining them benefits from selective-breeding experience, and because the long fins are easily damaged and swimming is graceful but slow, care for tankmates and environment is needed, making it somewhat more demanding. The vermilion shows best with color-enhancing food and dark containers under sunlight, and the lame in dark containers under bright light. Selecting parents with good fins, lame, and red maintains beautiful strains.
Lifespan of the Zuihou Medaka
The Zuihou Medaka lives 2-3 years.
Size of the Zuihou Medaka
The Zuihou Medaka grows to 3-4cm.
Temperature & humidity for the Zuihou Medaka
The ideal temperature for the Zuihou Medaka is 20〜28℃.
Hardy across roughly 10–30°C (optimal 20–28°C) in neutral to slightly alkaline water.
Basic Info
Origin
Japan (selectively bred variety)
Lifespan
2-3 years
Size
Care Specifications
- pH
- 7–8
- Hardness (GH)
- 9–19 dGH
- Water Temp.
- 20–28℃
PeacefulGroupBreeding: Easy
Sources: FishBase: Oryzias latipes / Seriously Fish: Oryzias latipes
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).
Orange-red body
DominantVisual with a single copy; no distinct super form.
Swallow fin
PolygenicContinuous trait from multiple genes; intensified by selective breeding.
Lame
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.
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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